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STAFF
DEVYN BAKEWELL
FICTION STAFF
Devyn Bakewell is a senior at Howard University, studying English from Los Angeles, CA. She has spent years writing romantic fiction novels, and is looking to publish her first novel in Winter 2020. She is dedicated to creating works of fiction centered around black/African-American young adults, so that they can read books that better reflect them and their role in today's world.
KALEE BLAKE
CREATIVE STAFF
Kalee Blake is a freshman journalism major from Brooklyn, New York. As part of the creative group Kalee reads and judges many of the submissions we receive at the Amistad. In her spare time Kalee works on her own poetry blog and is writing her own book.
BRITTANY CARTER
POETRY STAFF
​Hi my name is Brittany Carter, I am from Philadelphia, PA and a junior nursing student at Howard University. I enjoy helping people, travel, and adventuring. I have always had an interest in creative writing and fiction was without question my favorite. I love reading creative and imaginative work. I believe it is very important to tell your own story because it will be nothing like anyone else’s.
TISHA COPELAND
CREATIVE STAFF
Tisha Copeland is a second year Sociology major, English minor. Tisha enjoys reading and critically analyzing Black Literature to contribute to her sociology research. Tisha hopes to author a collection of essays, reviews and critiques, as she aspires to become an editor of a publishing company, in addition to the publication of her research.
KANIYA GLENN
CREATIVE STAFF
Kaniya is a student at Howard University.
BREARA HOLLIS
FICTION STAFF
Breara began exploring her love for writing her freshman year of high school, though she has always enjoyed fiction and storytelling. She wrote on Wattpad, an internet community that connects readers and writers, and received nearly three hundred thousand reads on her writing. This, along with her exposure to many authors like Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, and Zora Neale Hurston, is what encouraged her to pursue a degree in Creative Writing. Now a rising senior at Howard University, Breara has written many short stories, has been published in Sikk Magazine, serves as the Treasurer of The Sterling Allen Brown English Society, and is co-editor of their literary magazine, Sterling Notes. Breara hopes to soon be a published author whose writing is well-acclaimed in her community."
AHNAYAH HUGHES
CREATIVE STAFF
Ahnayah Hughes is a writer and journalist from sunny San Diego. She is currently studying Journalism and English at Howard University, with aspirations of working in magazine editing and publishing. She's a Taurus, Frank Ocean's #1 fan, and the proud publisher of her poetry collection, "i wrote a sad waffle." You can find her on instagram @nayahrenee.
KARA JACKSON
CREATIVE STAFF
Kara Jackson is a sophomore Political Science major, English minor from Brooklyn, NY. When she's not doing school work, she likes to draw, make collages, and listen to music. She really enjoys reading thrillers, historical fiction, and romance novels.
JAYDEN McCLAM
POETRY STAFF
Jayden McClam is a poet/artist, learning healer, and community organizer from Buffalo, New York. They are in their third year at Howard University, where they study Psychology, Creative Writing, and Afro-American Studies, and read poems for the Howard University Amistad. Jayden serves on the Advisory Board of Black Love Resists in the Rust, an organization working to dismantle the carceral state and build restorative practices in Buffalo. They feel most at home in the sunlight.
GABRIELL MONTGOMERY
FICTION STAFF
Gabi is a student at Howard University
MIYAH MORALES
FICTION STAFF
Miyah Morales is a Junior English major Photography and Philosophy double minor at Howard from Queens, New York. Her hobbies include reading, writing, and taking photos. She joined The Amistad staff out of appreciation and admiration for her peer's writing while wanting to fulfill her curiosity surrounding what entails creating a magazine of any sort.
AIESHA MUHAMMAD
POETRY STAFF
Aiesha Muhammad is a poet and English major. Aiesha believes that writing is what allows us to create and re-contextualize the world around us.
ESTHER OKOSSI
FICTION STAFF
Esther Okossi is a Junior English major, Secondary Education and History double minor from the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois and serves on the Fiction team of The Amistad. Esther always had a vast and vivid imagination which is what got her started with creative writing when she was in middle school. She started writing for herself and would send her stories to her sister and friends to read. Then she began to post her work onto Wattpad. To this day, Esther is still engaged with creative writing and hopes to eventually legitimately publish her work. In her free time when she's not writing, Esther enjoys dance, spending time with family, and streaming her online subscriptions.
MORIAH-TAYLOR RUTHERFORD
POETRY STAFF
Moriah-Taylor Rutherford is a Second year International Affairs major from Pontiac Michigan. She has loved storytelling for as long as she can remember. When she is not in class Moriah enjoys baking and learning new languages.
NICK SEIFERT
EDITOR & FACULTY ADVISOR
​Nick Seifert is a writer and Master Instructor at Howard University. He holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing with a fiction concentration from George Mason University and a Master of Arts in English from St. Cloud State University. He has lived in the twin cities, the big apple, the land of morning calm, and the nation’s capital. With over a decade of experiences, Nick has actively taught many age groups from kindergarten to higher education all over the world including literature, composition, and creative writing. His fiction has appeared in various online and print publications.
MARTINIQUE SELLERS
FICTION STAFF
Martinique is a student at Howard Unviersity.
AlEXANDER STEPHENS
FICTION STAFF
Alexander Stephens is a member of The Amistad's Fiction Section. He is a senior Political science major, English minor at Howard University’s College of Arts and Sciences. Alexander is part of numerous organizations on campus, namely serving on the Executive Boards of the Society of Collegiate Black Men and for the men of The Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., Alpha Chapter. He also has had the opportunity to be a radio host for Howard University’s WHBC “Battle of the Sexes”, The Collegiate 100, and many other community service organizations and initiatives. While on campus, Alex has found a passion for literature and has been writing his own collection of short stories as well as an anthropological fiction novel. Following his matriculation, he plans to return and serve his native Baltimore community, as well as endeavor to become involved in local politics in his hometown.
NICOLETTE VERSAILLES
CREATIVE STAFF
Nicolette Versailles is a Howard University graduating senior from Brooklyn NY. She majors in English and Political Science at HU with the hopes to pursue a career field in the legal profession. Her career passion involves around civil rights, civil litigation, and real estate law. In her free time she likes to volunteer with animals, travel for fun, and try new foods. She revolves her life around the motto “What’s meant for you will be.”
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