Jeffrey Cheatham II Unveils New Literacy Program ‘Literally Ours’ on The Day With Trae
Author and program coordinator Jeffrey Cheatham II recently appeared on The Day With Trae to announce the launch of "Literally Ours," a new literacy initiative under the organization Acts On Stage. The program is designed to provide a dedicated platform for Black and brown authors to develop, showcase, and amplify their literary work.
A Mission Renewed through Collaboration
Cheatham, who founded the Seattle Urban Book Expo in 2016 (now known as the Seattle Book Exchange), shared that the idea for the new program emerged from a period of personal burnout in late 2022 and 2023. After considering stepping away from his mission, a conversation with Michelle Lang-Raymond of Acts On Stage led to the creation of "Literally Ours" as a specialized literary arm within the theater organization.
The program is designed to move beyond traditional publishing by incorporating "performative literature," which includes spoken word poetry and stage plays. Cheatham emphasized that the goal is to provide community members with the access and opportunities needed to tell their stories, guiding them from an initial idea to a final published or performed work.
Key Program Features
"That’s My Play Cousin" Database: Currently in its beta phase, this initiative will serve as a database for performative literature. It aims to help aspiring playwrights and poets curate and format their work for the stage.
Collaborative Development: Cheatham highlighted that the program focuses on partnership rather than just submission. He noted that authors are kept as an integral part of the creative process to ensure their stories are conveyed in their own cultural "language.”
Master Classes: In the coming months, the program plans to offer a master class for individuals interested in learning how to write children's books, which will include a stipend for participants.
Upcoming Events
Acts On Stage will host its first Children’s Book Day Festival on June 27th from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.. The event will feature children's book authors, illustrators, and various vendors, serving as the official full display for the "Literally Ours" literacy program. Interested vendors can register through the Acts On Stage website.
Catch “The Day With Trae” Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11 a.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.
Did you enjoy this blog post? Then consider donating to Converge and supporting our mission here.
