In this episode I discuss the Columbus Zoo’s recent naming one of it’s manatees after Lizzo. Was it a compliment or an insult?

I am actually stunned by the post that Rihanna made on Dr. King’s birthday. As a baby boomer it stirred so many emotions. I talk about those feelings on this podcast.

Today I speak with formerly homeless author LaShawn Courtwright. Her first book of poetry entitled The Fold: A collection of poetry was published in 2019. LaShawn has been very active in the street paper news organization and in 2011 was awarded a scholarship to attend the National Association of Street papers where she met editor and best selling author of Grand Central Winter Lee Stringer.

In this discussion LaShawn reveals when her love of writing first began and how it has sustained her through many of life’s trials which include struggling through mental illness and how one by one her children were place in what she describes as a brutal foster care system.

I enjoyed having this rare opportunity to speak with my fellow vendor writer behind the scenes —- where you will hear her share one of her poems from her book

Due to scheduling conflicts our discussion took place during an early morning when our voices were not quite awake but despite this we struggled through it and our talk began with LaShawn’s experience with the Groundcover News.

---

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lits-talk/message

Today I speak with published author LaShawn Courtwright about her first published book of poetry. We also discuss the heartbreak she experienced when her children were placed in foster care, her affiliation with Groundcover News of Ann Arbor and the National Street Paper Association, and her struggles through mental illness.