In November 2023, the Arts & Science Council (ASC) selected me as a 2024 Artist Support Grant recipient. I will use the funding to attend the Association of Writers and Writing Programs 2024 annual conference in Kansas City, Missouri and the Festival of Faith & Writing biennial gathering in Grand Rapids, MI. Thank you, ASC!!! Please read the announcement here.

In August 2023, the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art included All the Places We Call Home in the exhibition booklist for their Picturing Home exhibit. So much fun!!!

In May 2023, the Arts & Science Council (ASC) awarded me a Cultural Vision Grant to develop a library program based on my podcast Picture Books Are for Grown-Ups Too! Please read the announcement here.

In December 2022, the Queen City Nerve named All the Places We Call Home the Best in the Nest children’s book of 2022!

In May 2022, the Sustainable Arts Foundation selected me as a 2022 Awardee. I am so grateful for the funding to pour into my writing life and the beautiful affirmation of my work as a children’s book writer.

In April 2022, the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow awarded me one of two Words of Wonder Fellowships—a two-week residency for writers working on a picture book for children that tells an engaging, relatable story. Please read the announcement here.

In December 2021, Storyknife, a women writers retreat in Homer, Alaska, awarded me a 2022 residency.

In December 2021, the Louisville Institute selected me as a 2022 Pastoral Study Project grant recipient. My proposed project is entitled, “Perils and Promises: The Impact of Cross-Racial Friendships on Women of Color.” Please go here to learn more.

In December 2021, the Arts & Science Council (ASC) selected me as a 2022 Artist Support Grant recipient. I will use the funding to help me continue to grow as a kidlit writer. Please read the announcement here.

In November 2020, The Best American Essays 2020 listed “That Autumn” as a notable essay for 2019.

In May 2020, my essay “That Autumn” won a City and Regional Magazine Association annual award in the category of best essay, criticism, and commentary. The judges said this of my essay: “Beautifully rendered and quietly devastating. This is an important commentary on our time.”

In December 2019, the Kenyon Review included All the Colors We Will See in their list of 2019 holiday reading recommendations. Read the full list here.

In December 2018, the Arts & Science Council (ASC) selected me as a 2019 Regional Artist Project Grant (RAPG) recipient. Please read the announcement here.

In December 2018, The Anchorage Daily News chose All the Colors We Will See as a favorite Alaska book of 2018.

In August 2018, Barnes and Noble chose All the Colors We Will See as a Fall 2018 B&N Discover Great New Writers selection. It's such an honor to be included with this amazing group of authors and books.

In June 2018, The Charlotte Observer called the forthcoming All the Colors We Will See a book, "...to watch for," and included it in their list of best memoirs of the summer.

In November 2017, I had the opportunity to be part of Lenoir-Rhyne University's Visiting Writers Series. What a wonderful event and such a privilege to be part.

In August 2017, the NC Arts Council selected me as a 2017-2018 Artist Fellowship recipient. Read the announcement here and here. What an honor to be part of this amazing group of North Carolina prose and poetry writers, songwriters, and musical composers. 

In March 2017, Writers & Books selected me for a one week residency in Rochester, NY. Read the announcement here. Go here to read the essay I wrote about my wonderful time as the Writer-in-Residence.

In February 2017, I was part of the panel, "What Writers of Color Want White Editors to Know," at the annual AWP conference. Go here to read a recap.

In November 2016, Full Grown People selected my essay, "What Remains," as a Pushcart Prize nominee. Truly an honor. Read the announcement here.

In April 2016, Ruminate Magazine selected my essay, "Marching Toward Zion" as a 2016 VanderMey Nonfiction Prize Finalist.

In December 2015, the Arts & Science Council (ASC) selected me as one of the 2016 Regional Artist Project Grant (RAPG) recipients. I'm so grateful.

In April 2015, Ruminate Magazine selected my essay, "What Remains" as a 2015 VanderMey Nonfiction Prize Finalist.