Media and Journalism School to host a writer-in-residence

The UNC School of Media and Journalism will host award-winning author Marita Golden starting on Feb. 10 as writer-in-residence for five days, allowing her to share her expertise with students.

As writer-in-residence, Golden will meet with a number of undergraduate and graduate students over the span of several days, unlike other visitors who only stay for a day and visit one class. 

“All of us have really worked together in trying to make sure that Marita gets the most access and as many opportunities as possible to see UNC’s campus and to really have a personal experience with the students that go here,” said Lauren Houston, a graduate student who has been part of the team coordinating Golden’s time at UNC. 

Although the MJ-school has previously hosted a few journalists-in-residence, this is the first time that a writer-in-residence has come to the school, said Susan King, dean of the MJ-school. King said she is excited she was able to arrange Golden’s visit.

“I thought that many of our students would find it intriguing to be able to meet with somebody who had taken their journalism career and moved it in new directions,” King said.

Golden began her career as a freelance journalist writing for publications such as The New York Times and Essence magazine. Later, she decided to move beyond journalism and instead write longer works of fiction and nonfiction.

Golden has written more than a dozen fiction and nonfiction stories, which center around themes like "the intersection of the personal and the political, the bonds of friendship among Black women and the stresses on and resilience of the Black family," according to her website. 

During Golden’s time at UNC, she will lead a free Creative Nonfiction Writing Workshop on Feb. 12 from 4-5:30 p.m. in Reese News Lab in Carroll Hall that will be open to all students. 

Graduate student Jeremiah Murphy has registered for Golden’s workshop and said he is eager to attend to learn new writing techniques and meet Golden.

“I try to go to any event I can at the MJ-school just to get another person’s perspective on how to turn facts into a story, how to do journalism, how to report, and I think it’s great that the school brings in outside people to do these workshops,” Murphy said.

Golden will also present during a special session of the school’s MEJO 101 course on Feb. 13 from 4:40-5:55 p.m., which is open to all members of the campus community. Additionally, Golden will meet with the Chuck Stone Program, MJ-school ambassadors and MJ-school masters and doctoral students. 

King also sees Golden’s time on campus as a valuable resource for Black activists during a challenging time on campus with the Silent Sam controversy, as she has faced and covered similar issues. Golden will meet with Black students on campus such as those part of Black Ink magazine, Sister Talk and Sisterhood of Empowerment while she is at UNC. 

“Because I have a very varied background writing journalism, writing fiction, writing nonfiction, as well as cultural activism, I think I can be a solid resource for a number of constituencies on the campus,” Golden said.

Golden is distinguished in her field, earning the Literary Award for Fiction from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association and the Distinguished Service Award from the Authors Guild. 

Additionally, she founded the Washington D.C. based African-American Writers Guild and co-founded the Hurston/Wright Foundation, which presents the nation’s only national fiction award for college writers of African descent and an annual workshop for Black writers.

She has previously served as writer-in-residence at several universities, including the University of the District of Columbia and Howard University. 

Now that King has successfully arranged for a writer-in-residence to visit the MJ-school, she said she would love it if they could host someone each year.

“I feel that whenever individual students get to meet men and women of accomplishment that it gives them a sense of their own ability to reach their dreams,” King said.

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