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2023 Election Nominees

Vice President

Simone A. James Alexander

Simone A. James Alexander is Professor of English, Africana Studies and Women and Gender Studies, affiliate member of the Russian and East European Studies Program and Latin America and Latino/Latina Studies at Seton Hall University. Her primary fields of research include women, gender, and sexuality studies, postcolonial literature, Transnational Feminist Theory, Caribbean studies, migration and diaspora studies. She is the author of the award-winning monograph, African Diasporic Women’s Narratives: Politics of Resistance, Survival and Citizenship (University Press of Florida, 2014; reprinted in May 2016), which also received Honorable Mention by the African Literature Association Book of the Year Scholarship Award. Alexander is also the author of Mother Imagery in the Novels of Afro-Caribbean Women (University of Missouri Press, 2001) and coeditor of Feminist and Critical Perspectives on Caribbean Mothering (Africa World Press, 2013). Her articles appeared in Journal of West Indian Literature, L’Espirit Créateur, African American Review, MLA Approaches to Teaching Gaines’, Turkish Journal of Diaspora Studies, Wagadu: A Journal of Transnational Women’s and Gender Studies, African Literature Today, Anglistica: An Interdisciplinary Journal, and edited collections. Her current book projects include Bodies of (In)Difference: Intimacy, Desirability and the Politics and Poetics of Relation and Black Freedom in (Communist) Russia: Great Expectations, Utopian Visions.

Statement

My research that focuses on Caribbean women writers and writing, transnational feminism and women, gender and sexuality studies exemplifies my deep and sustained commitment to transnational and cross-cultural scholarly exchanges, attributes befitting of the Association of Caribbean Women Writers and Scholars that promotes awareness of the Caribbean and its diasporas. My protracted interest in Caribbean literature and culture finds representation in my scholarly endeavors. My publications include: African Diasporic Women’s Narratives: Politics of Resistance, Survival and Citizenship (UP Florida, 2014; RPT, 2016), College Language Association Creative Scholarship Award 2015 and Honorable Mention by the African Literature Association Book of the Year Scholarship Award; Mother Imagery in the Novels of Afro-Caribbean Women (University of Missouri Press, 2001) and coeditor of Feminist and Critical Perspectives on Caribbean Mothering (Africa World Press, 2013). I am currently working on two manuscripts: one foregrounds a black feminist consciousness in the practice and realization of transnational female af/filiation and alliances and the other examines the practice of refusal through the prism of relatability and relativity of otherness and in/difference.

I have also served in an administrative capacity for 9 years. First as the Chair of the Africana Studies department for three years, where I revitalized a weakening program, and later as the Director of Africana Studies for five years. In these positions, I have been able to foster collaborations and partnerships both on- and off-campus. One notable achievement I accomplished as Chair, was the creation of the Writer-Speaker Lecture Series, where I hosted several Caribbean writers, including Maryse Conde, Jamaica Kincaid, Caryl Phillips, Staceyann Chin, Elizabeth Nunez, and Nicole Dennis-Benn, just to name a few. As an affiliate faculty of the Women and Gender Studies Program, my contributions are invaluable. As the co-organizer of the 2015 conference, I facilitated the visit and introduction of renowned historian, Deborah Gray White. On record, this has been the most well-attended women’s conference to date.

I attended my first ACWWS conference in Grenada in 1998 as a graduate student. My sustained interest in the organization and in Caribbean women’s writing as a whole, propelled me to make the lifetime commitment to ACWWS by becoming a life member of the Association, as I continued to attend conferences where I presented, chaired and/or organized panels. Most recently, I served on the conference planning committee of the 16^th ACWWS conference in Costa Rica. Previously, I served on the conference planning committees of the 36^th Annual Caribbean Studies Association conference in Willemstad, Curaçao, and the 2018 New York African Studies Association (NYASA) conference, hosted by the Africana Studies program and the Political Science department at Seton Hall University.

I was also involved in the preliminary discussions, spearheaded by Carole Boyce Davies at the 2015 Caribbean Association Conference in New Orleans, to revitalize the organization. I had the good fortune of being present at this revitalization, a “come back” celebration in the form of a fundraising event, that came to fruition the following year at the 2016 Caribbean Studies Association conference in Haiti, under the auspices of the then President of CSA, Boyce Davies.

Given a chance to serve as Vice President of ACWWS, I hope to bring not only my culturally diverse experiences as a Caribbean, African diaspora and women’s gender and sexuality scholar, but also my many years of experience, commitment and expertise with administrative service. While aspiring to build on my experiences as a former administrator and conference organizer, I will continue to work to support the efforts of ACWWS in advancing coalition-building and partnerships locally and globally.

Publications Editor

Nicole Roberts

Nicole ROBERTS is a Senior Lecturer in Spanish and Director of the Centre for Language Learning at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. She is also a translator. She has published widely on race and ethnicity in the Hispanic Caribbean, and also on Hispanic-Caribbean literature, language and culture. Her most recent publication is the edited volume: Trinidad y Tobago/Cuba: Historia, Lengua y Literatura (2018) co-edited with Armando García de la Torre and Mauricio Núñez Rodríguez.

Statement
When I began in academia in the 90s “Publish or perish” had been the motto for academics for over several decades. What I’ve come to realise is that for us as academics, it’s more about what we have to say about issues that affect us all. Over the years, I’ve got a lot of exposure to my writing on those ideas which are worth sharing through the collaborative process which allows us as independent experts in the same field of research to evaluate and comment on varied issues. When we collaborate in writing we are able to share with others who instinctively want to know and learn more which also opens doors to continued conversations. I have published three edited volumes of work over the years and a fourth is currently in press. Additionally, work such as that being done in the ACWWs is so important to our historical preservation. I’m excited about the opportunity to become the Publications editor for the ACWWS. I know that there is much to say and to do, so let’s get started.

Philippa Sanon

Philippa practiced as a lawyer for close to 10 years before leaving the profession and returning to her first love: writing. She has published articles and short stories in English, French and Spanish under her name and as a ghostwriter. She has been working as an editor and freelance journalist ever since and she recently published her first collection of short stories in 2022 : Short Shorts on Family and Other Issues.

Statement

My first experience with the ACWWS was this past June for the 2023 Conference held in Costa Rica. I thoroughly enjoyed participating as a presenter and sharing my work as a published author. Having created my own monthly magazine in the past and having managed it as publications editor, I particularly thrive around reading and writing communities. In addition to my skills as writer and editor, I am perfectly trilingual in 3 of the languages ACWWS recognizes and I believe that to be a strong asset for the Publications Editor position. I look forward to having the pleasure of building relationships and community with all of you.

Stephanie Fullerton-Cooper

Dr. Stephanie Fullerton-Cooper is Associate Professor of Language and Literature in the Arts and Humanities department at the University College of the Cayman Islands. She graduated from UWI, Mona, where she obtained BA (Hons), MPhil, and PhD in Literatures in English; She later completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Education. A member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of the University College of the Cayman Islands, Lapidus International, the Committee for the Promotion of Research and Cayman Scholarship, College Language Association, and co-founder of the Cayman Literary Society, Dr Fullerton-Cooper has also co-edited two books, The Caribbean in a Changing World: Surveying the Past, Mapping the Future, Volumes 1 and 2 (2016), and The Cayman Islands: History, Politics and Society – Essays in Honour of JA Roy Bodden (2022). She has published academic papers and presented at academic conferences, focusing on Caribbean and Cayman literature.

Statement

Prior to academia, Dr. Fullerton-Cooper spent five years working in Journalism and nine in Public Relations. She is a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of the University College of the Cayman Islands (JUCCI), where she solicits, collects, and edits papers for the journal. She also participates in frequent meetings with the Editorial board members, setting high standards for publication and planning new and diverse ways to improve the journal offerings.

As co-founder of the Cayman Literary Society, Dr Fullerton-Cooper stages essay writing competitions, recruits student participants, establishes guidelines and marking criteria, and liaises with professors and others in academia to guide the process. She is also the Society’s spokesperson and represents it at various Literary and Cultural events.

Over the last ten years, she has been devoted to editing. She has edited books by writers in Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and the United States. These have covered such areas as Theology, Biography, and Creative Writing, and she has also written and presented a number of academic articles, as well as edited articles for publication for other academicians.

A former Director of Graduate Studies at the UCCI, Dr Fullerton-Cooper has guided student research, and has encouraged publication, whether in print or online. A member of her university’s Institutional Review Board, she is aware of, often guides, and is consulted on ethical matters related to research and publication. As former Chair of her university’s Examination & Quality Assurance Committee, she also oversaw the editing of every professor’s exam at UCCI, ensuring the standard of quality meets the guidelines outlined in the Examination Regulation policy, a long and detailed document that she was instrumental in writing and editing.

With her experience in Public Relations, Dr Fullerton-Cooper has successfully planned and executed academic conferences and symposiums, as well as other academic events like Commencement Ceremonies, Honours Convocations, President Inaugurations, Graduate Studies’ Orientation, Master’s students’ oral defense, etc. She shows great attention to details, thereby ensuring that every aspect of these various events are thought of and planned for. Possessing a vibrant personality and great oral communication skills, Dr Fullerton-Cooper has often been the Master of Ceremonies for these events.

From these academic conferences and symposia, Dr Fullerton-Cooper has co-edited two books, The Caribbean in a Changing World: Surveying the Past, Mapping the Future, Volumes 1 and 2 (2016), a collection of essays examining the Caribbean 50 years after the demise of the West Indies Federation, as well as The Cayman Islands: History, Politics and Society – Essays in Honour of JA Roy Bodden (2022). As co-editor, she liaised with contributors, established publication guidelines, liaised with publishing houses, planned and executed book launches, invited and planned itineraries of keynote speakers, etc.

As someone who is passionate about academia, research and publication, Dr Cooper also is a member of the Distinguished Lecture Series, and the Cutting-Edge Series committees, which encourage research, academic presentations, and publication among her colleagues. The passion for her area of expertise led her to publish a bi-weekly column in the Caymanian Times Newspaper in 2021, establish and successfully execute Black History Month celebrations at her university, and advise local high schools on book choices for school library and for Literature classes to ensure inclusion and diversity.

Clearly then, research, editing, and publication are her passion, and she encourages a similar interest in others. Dr Fullerton-Cooper is therefore eminently qualified to fill the role of Publications Editor for ACWWS.

Saskia Furst Scholarly Biography

Saskia Fürst is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English at the University of The Bahamas. She completed her PhD on the representations of older Black women in US literature and print advertisements at the University of Salzburg. Her most recent publication titled “African American Women and Ageing: Remembering Afro-Amerindian Ancestors in Alice Walker’s Now is the Time to Open Your Heart” is included in the Bloomsbury Handbook to Ageing in Contemporary Literature and Film (2023). She holds a B.A. in German Studies, Political Science and Gender Studies from Rice University (Texas, USA) and a Diploma in English Studies from the University of Graz (Austria). Her research and teaching interests include African American Studies, African Diaspora literature, Aging Studies, Cultural Studies, Film Studies and Gender Studies. She has edited two volumes, one on US American Expressions of Utopian and Dystopian Visions (Lit Verlag 2017) and a one on Contemporary Quality TV (Lit Verlag, 2021). Her latest research project focuses on representations of womanhood in the Caribbean.

Statement

I have co-edited two published volumes: Contemporary Quality TV: the Auteur, the Fans and Constructions of Gender (LitVerlag, 2021) and US American Expressions of Utopian and Dystopian Visions (LIT Verlag, 2017). Additionally, I have copy-edited numerous academic works while living and working in Austria, regularly copy edit for the International Journal of Bahamian Studies in Nassau, Bahamas and serve as a peer reviewer for the AmLit: American Literatures journal. As a motivated scholar, I would be honored to take up this position, if elected, and would devote my time and energy to ensure high quality, timely issues of MaComère.

Social Media Publicist

Elise Barnett

Elise Barnett is a writer, curator, teacher, and doctoral student from Nassau, Bahamas. She has been trained, as an Afro-American Studies scholar, in decolonial, womanist, and Black political schools of thought, and these critical arenas guide her scholarly thinking. Her most recent works give attention to post/colonial Afro-Caribbean art-making practices to bridge intellectual and folk-artistic fields and expand the discursive space in which Black expressive practices may be examined. This year, she has presented her works at a host of academic forums—including the Association of Caribbean Women Writers and Scholars’ (ACWWS’) ‘Caribbean Feminisms’ conference, Cornell University’s School of Criticism and Theory Symposium, and Northwestern University’s Black Arts Consortium Institute—but she intends to take her work beyond the academy, so that it has broader reach and opens space for critical cultural conversations.

Statement

The ACWWS’ interdisciplinarity and investments in intra- and extra-Caribbean connections are on par with Elise’s work. For this reason, she is seeking appointment as Social Media Publicist so that she can make the association’s aims legible across multiple platforms. As a planning member for the ACWWS’ 2023 ‘Caribbean Feminisms’ conference, she has intimate knowledge of the individual and collaborative work that figures into the operation of an association such as this. As a former social media publicist for the University of The Bahamas, she is familiar with the marketing and promotional strategies that heighten community engagement. If appointed, she intends to create campaigns that make members and the larger community familiar—not only with association’s forthcoming conferences and public programming—but with its history and with the multi-generational Caribbean women writers and scholars whose works guide its efforts. With the support of the ACWWS’ members, Elise is certain she can make meaningful contribution to the association.

Dr. ChenziRa Davis Kahina

ChenziRa Davis Kahina respectfully known as “Dr. Chen” is a co-founding director of Per Ankh (House of Life)©, Per Ankh M Smai Tawi©, and Per Ankh Khamniversity Institute © supporting Culture, Healing, Arts, Technology and Spirituality for Life, Inspiration, Freedom, and Education (CHATS4LIFE©). Davis Kahina is the founding creatrix of AST Speaks©; inaugural founding director of the Virgin Islands Caribbean Cultural Center (VICCC) in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI); and producer/director/writer/narrator of the ethnodocumentary “Queens of the Virgins.” Davis Kahina’s academic credentials and intellectual research journeys include Rutgers University (NCAS), Pepperdine University (CA), University of California- San Diego, International University of Natural Sciences, and other global institutions. Davis Kahina works collaboratively with interdisciplinary, socioeconomic, Caribbean-centered organizations, and global alliances inclusive of: AST Speaks©; NUWOMANRISING©; Caribbean Pan African Network (CPAN); CARICOM Caribbean Reparations Commission (CRC); African Union ECOSOCC (AU); Afrakan Queen Mother Warriors©; VI Architecture Center for Built Heritage and Crafts (VIAC); Toastmasters International™; Sixth Region Diaspora Caucus©; Carib Academy©; Society of Virgin Islands Historians; Association of Naturopathic Therapeutics; Society of Black Archaeologists™; St. Croix Foundation for Community Development-Non Profit Consortium; God’s House International©; PULSE™; UNIA ACL RC2020©; Temple of Inner Peace©; Music In Motion School of Higher Dance Education (MIMSHDE); Caribbean Progressive Perspectives; Virgin Islands Cultural Heritage Institute (VICHI); AIDO International™; Heritage Education Arts Legacy©; Building ANULegacy©; and other academic, sustainable, civil society networks, communication media, and humanitarian organizations and institutions. Davis Kahina is an assistant professor of Communication at UVI- the only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) and Land Grant Institution in the Caribbean. Her communitarian consultancy work collaborates with Creative Justice Initiative©, Corredor Afro©, Afrakan Caribbean Cultural Artivists International, and other global movements.

Statement

The vision, mission and pragmatic work implemented with powerful intentions by the Association of Caribbean Women’s Writers and Scholars (ACWWS) represents a realm of intellectual and life-changing opportunities that are inspirational, motivational, and contributory to improving the life-journey narratives and work of our women, scholars, aspiring students, artivists and communities within the Caribbean and internationally. I am honored and excited to accept the nomination and potential success through the ACWWS 2023 election process to serve and proactively contribute to the Executive Board as the new Social Media Publicist (SMP) that will work closely and cooperatively with the new or continuing Development Coordinator.

In the ACWWS June 2023 Conference in Costa Rica, as an invited presenter, media documentation professional, and member, I welcomed the opportunities to strengthen, nurture and cultivate the Working Group relationship that the ACWWS has maintained with the Caribbean Studies Association (CSA). As the Immediate Past President 2023-2024 of the Caribbean Studies Association (CSA), in addition to developing new approaches for this existing relationship, I bring my strategic organizational expertise in creative philanthropic fund development and innovative branding with the collaborative and cooperative visionary focus of the executive leadership of the ACWWS. As former CSA President (2022-2023), I am willing to share my cooperative experiences with skilled professionals working with CSA to successfully organize the authentic social media packaging for the CSA’s June 2023 “Transforming Our Caribbean” Conference for the first time in 49 years in St. Croix, Virgin Islands (US) with regional fund development and philanthropic supporting partners. The official launch, marketing, and media promotion for the inaugural academic peer-reviewed CSA Journal “Caribbean Conjectures” in digital and hard-copy format remains a special feature of the CSA2023 St. Croix.

https://www.caribbeanstudiesassociation.org/2023-csa-conference-sponsors-supporters/ | https://www.caribbeanstudiesassociation.org/csa-journal/

My areas of research, education, digital technologies, creative arts and social justice activism have been facilitated and strengthened within my academic studies, certifications, global ambassadorial work, and licensure in Education, English, Journalism/ Communications, Educational Technology, Cognitive Technology, Sociology, Global African Studies, Naturopathic Counseling /Therapeutics, and Interdisciplinary Studies at Rutgers University (B.A./Dual Majors), Pepperdine University (M.S./M.A./Dual Majors), University of California San Diego (PhD Fellow), and the International University of Natural Health (NH.D./Ph.D.). These diverse educational and program management experiences grounded in pragmatic field research and fund development work have been respectively complimented with interdisciplinary regional and international certifications. I am a published author, researcher, and contributing editor of multiple essays, commentaries, progressive anthologies, and comprehensive transcultural film/media projects inclusive of Hell Under God’s Orders (HUGO- By Dr. Gloria I. Joseph, Prof. Audre Lorde & Hortense Rowe 1991- Contributor/Copy Editor); Cognitive Trends of Education for African Caribbean Americans (1998); Listening to Ancestral Wisdom: Sacred Conch Shell Inspirations (2004); Three Queens of the Virgin Islands (Chautauqua/Play: 2005); Heritage Education Arts Legacy-HEAL© (2013); The Wind Is Spirit: The Life, Love and Legacy of Audre Lorde (By Dr. Gloria I. Joseph: 2015- Contributor & Copy Editor); Caribbean Cultural Studies: 21^st Century Paradigms for University-Level Heritage Education and Arts Legacy Programs (Essay: 2016); Queens of the Virgins (Ethnodocumentary film: CARIFESTA 2017 Barbados); Fireburn: The Documentary (Produced by Angela Golden Bryan 2020/ Cultural Heritage Tradition Scholar); AfRaKan Women Lead (Research Presentations/Building Legacy Media Productions: 2023); AU ECOSOCC/CPAN/CRC Study Tour Barbados July 2023 (Distinguished Presenter/Media Representative), and other collaborative partnerships and provisions of authorship, media documentation, brand marketing services, and editorial expertise in interdisciplinary peer-reviewed and digital media publications annually.

With support of the executive leadership and skilled professionals of ACWWS, I am open to sharing a vision with actionable deliverables that diversifies and strengthens the efficient management of social media messaging, networking, and versatile marketing technologies for the digital presence of the ACWWS. I am prepared to highlight and support the ACWWS’ exceptional standards of academic excellence blended with politically-sound progressive social justice foundations inclusive of yet not limited to contemporary website development, branding, and promotion of creative and scholarly activities. Increasing membership, global awareness of the activities and programs of ACWWS, and expanding philanthropic support for ACWWS in cooperation with the Development Coordinator and patrons of the organization shall be strategically prioritized. I am prepared to work cooperatively with the ACWWS executive team implementing efficient and effective 21^st century social media marketing, branding and public relations strategies that promote the vision, goals, objectives, activities, and programs of the ACWWS.

Development Coordinator

Andrene Bonner

ANDRENE BONNER was named a Motivational Teacher of the Year by the Westchester Black Scholars of New York. She is a US-based Jamaican educator, playwright, praise poet and award-winning author of a literacy fiction series, four non-fiction books about student resilience, full-length cultural dramas on African American and Caribbean history, and a book of poetry. Bonner has lectured on Race, Class, Culture and Resistance and the Parent-Student-Teacher Partnership and Linguistic Variations among Caribbean Students and How to Teach Them English. She has presented at the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) the New York State Association of Bilingual Education Conference (NYSABE), and moderated discussion at the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI). She is the founder of the Literacy Gateway Institute, an educational solutions business that develops curricula, wellness tools, and teaches parents to become co-teachers. She served as Project Director with expertise in the following areas: leadership and management of a combined workforce of 20 faculty members and professionals in residents; curriculum design and implementation for the Afterschool Alliance: 21st Community Learning Center Program, and prepared Annual Performance Report (APR) for 21st Community Learning Center grant. Bonner has served on the board of the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival (LAWTF), Asian Pacific Development and Educational Corporation, Los Angeles, and Caribbean American Repertory Theatre West (CART). She is an alumna of the Lincoln Center Education Learning Labs for Artists and Educators. Bonner holds a Master of Science in Education, Master of Arts in Language and Literacy, and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts and Dance. She is a member of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), Phi Delta Kappa International Association for Professional Educators (PDK), National Council of Negro Women, National Parenting Education Network, International Women’s Writing Guild (IWWG), and the Association of Caribbean Women Writers and Scholars (ACWWS). To relax, she draws, paints, writes poetry, plays Nyabinghi and Djembe drums, and is learning to play the guitar.