Cultural Organizing
Cultural Organizing
Eve is a cultural organizer: a person who works collectively with other people to to build and nurture creative communities, and strive for social transformation through artistic and cultural practices. Some of the projects that she has co-led or co-constructed include:
2023: Guaranteed
A podcast about what cash makes possible in people's lives. This limited series created with Respair Media and the Economic Security Project explores how guaranteed income recipients use this money to achieve their dreams: supporting loved ones, seeking mental health care, thriving in parenthood, and pursuing joy.
2021: the black freedom lectures
This free online lecture and discussion series brought together a group of scholars working on diverse topics from colorism to energy justice, sharing knowledge with an explicit Black liberation lens. Coordinated by Imani LaGrone and Siyanda Mohutsiwa, with support from the Mellon Foundation and the Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture.
Avery R. Young dancing with a young fan at the Chicago Poetry Block Party. Photo by Sarah-Ji Rhee.
2015-2019: The Chicago Poetry Block Party
A free, all-ages event featuring live performances from engaging poets, musicians, dancers, and DJs, free workshops, an open mic, book and journal giveaways, and community resources from voter registration to tax preparation for low-income families. Co-founded with Ydalmi Noriega, Nate Marshall, and Daniel Kisslinger and co-organized with and co-organized with Jen Steele and Itzel Blancas, with the support of the Poetry Foundation.
2023: you remember frank london brown
An archival exhibition about the life and work of Frank London Brown, who was a union organizer, novelist, educator, and public housing advocate, featuring public programs on the topics of public housing and narrative curation. Hosted by Arts + Public Life and co-curated with Adrienne Brown, Angela Orokoh, and Korey Williams.
Organizers and volunteers sort books at the Experimental Station in Chicago.
2020: santa box
In collaboration with Market Box, 57th Street Books, Pilsen Community Books, Semicolon Books, Women & Children First Bookstore, Volumes, First Aid Comics, countless donors and volunteers delivered hundreds of books and toys to young people. Co-organized with Violeta Cerna-Prado, Maira Khwaja, Brigid Maniates, and Hannah Nyart.
Eve greeting teens at the launch of MassLEAP’s annual poetry festival.
2011-2019: MassLEAP
The Massachusetts Literary Education and Performance Collective (MassLEAP) was a collaborative of Boston-based writers and educators dedicated to building and supporting spaces for youth to experience the transformative power of their own voices in community with one another. MassLEAP led youth poetry festivals and professional development for classroom teachers and teaching artists.
The ZNH 2022 teaching team: Christopher Bonner, Eve L. Ewing, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Sarah Jenkins.
2022-present: The Zora Neale Hurston Advanced Writers Workshop.
This summer institute, co-founded and co-directed with Ta-Nehisi Coates and sited at Howard University, brings a group of young writers together to build their skills across genre, with a focus on principles of community, generosity, curiosity, kindness, and rigor.
2017 Incubator Fellows at the National Museum for Mexican Art.
2015-2019: The Emerging Poets Incubator
A 4-day convening of community-engaged poets from across the country assembled to share ideas, build community, and receive mentorship from inspiring poets who are also community catalysts, such as Ross Gay, Natalie Diaz, Ken Chen, and Kay Ulanday Barrett. Co-founded with Ydalmi Noriega and Nate Marshall. Co-organized with Amanda Torres, Jen Steele, and Itzel Blancas, with the support of the Poetry Foundation.