Writing Your Story

​This in-person session will be presented by Noni Ervin, a Seattle-based literary artist, cultural strategist, and community leader whose work bridges ancestral legacy with contemporary storytelling. With more than 30 years of experience in strategic development and business leadership, she brings the same intentionality to the page that she brings to community building.

​Noni is the author of more than a dozen works spanning children’s literature, poetry, memoir, and cultural commentary. Her publications include Verbatim: Living, Loving, Surviving, the Kinara Park Kids® children’s series, and Experiencing the Seven Principles: Kwanzaa Anthology, Vol. 1. Through her writing, she celebrates African American heritage, identity, and intergenerational resilience, crafting narratives that affirm culture while inspiring imagination and self-discovery.

​As the creator of Kinara Park Kids®, Noni promotes positive Black imagery through storytelling, global classroom exchange, and creative programming rooted in the principles of Kwanzaa. She is also the founder of the Kwanzaa Awards, an annual celebration honoring individuals and organizations advancing cultural empowerment and community impact.

​A longtime member and leader within the African American Writers’ Alliance (AAWA), Noni remains committed to nurturing literary talent and amplifying marginalized voices. Her work has appeared in Mother.ly Magazine, South Seattle Emerald, and the Killens Review of Arts & Letters.

​Whether writing, speaking, or mentoring emerging creatives, Noni Ervin transforms stories into tools for healing, connection, and collective elevation.