The Saint Paul Almanac is unique in its championing of all voices. Beyond the obvious character, quality, and importance of the content, what many do not know or see is the unusual, grueling process of collaboration that goes into the production of every issue of this book. It could not be done without the strength and commitment of the community. As per our mission, our community editors reviewed hundreds of submissions to create the 12th edition, Resistance and Resilience. They read nearly four hundred works and chose more than one hundred for final publication. At each step they reflected on
the many stories told and the ways life experiences impacted the writer and also, the reader. Consider the narratives included and excluded or told from a dominant cultural lens. Now consider the stories
you read in the Saint Paul Almanac. Our community editors undergo an unlearning and a re-education
process during their twelve weeks together. This process strengthens their bond to one another and
more importantly, helps them as individuals come to understand their neighbors in ways unfathomable before reading their stories.
Maryan Ibrahim graduated from high school in May 2019. She loves reading and learning about new things. She thinks the word ordinary is overrated and would prefer to be called weird. Maryan was a Community Editor for Resistance and Resilience.
Kemet Egypt Imhotep was raised by his aunt Willia who was born on a plantation in Arkansas
in 1918. Kemet says, “Words
have become one of my best companions on my journey
toward becoming a better person.” He was a Community Editor for 365 Ways To Say I Love It Here,
A Ten-Year Retrospective, On A Collected Path, and Resistance and Resilience.
Dr. Sheronda Orridge is a writer, spoken word artist and community organizer. She is the recipient of the 2012 Leap Forward African American Award, the 2012 National Parent Leadership Award, and the 2011 Community Honor Roll Award. Dr. Orridge was a Community Editor for 365 Ways
To Say I Love It Here, A Ten-Year Retrospective, On A Collected Path, and Resistance and Resilience.
Lucia Pawlowski runs the People’s Writing Center, which provides writing support for progressive political movements. Originally from Pennsylvania, Lucia enjoys the Minnehaha dog park and playing the dulcimer. She was a Community Editor for Resistance and Resilience.
Deb Runyon was a community editor who enjoyed not only reading the submissions and the decisive Tuesday night battles, but the eclectic, enduring friendships that ensued. Deb was a Community Editor for 365 Ways
To Say I Love It Here, A Ten-Year Retrospective, On A Collected Path, and Resistance and Resilience.
Munira Said loves to read
books and write poetry and prose, and she is a gifted storyteller. Munira was a Community Editor for Resistance and Resilience.
Samira Abdikarim Salad
is a 2019 Higher Ground Academy alumnus. Samira was a Community Editor for Resistance and Resilience.
Colleen Sheehy has been a writer since adolescence. She loves literature and nonfiction, visual art, popular music, dance, gardening, and biking. She was the President & Executive Director of Public Art Saint Paul (Sidewalk Poems). Colleen was a Community Editor for Resistance and Resilience.
Thet-Htar Thet (she/her) is originally from Yangon, Myanmar and moved to Minnesota to attend Carleton College. Thet-Htar was a finalist in creative nonfiction for the Loft Literary Center Mentor Series. She was a Community Editor for Resistance and Resilience.
Linda White iis a member of the League of Minnesota Poets. She is
a writer, reader, reviewer, promoter, and teacher. She is a University of
St. Thomas alum. Her writing has appeared in Writer’s Block, MNReads, and BookRiot. Linda
was a Community Editor for On A Collected Path and Resistance
and Resilience.
M. Wright is the 2016 winner of the Atlantis Award in poetry and his poems have appeared in The Penn Review, Saint Paul Almanac, Glass Poetry, UCity Review, Wildness, and Jet Fuel Review. Find out more at wrightm.com.
He was a Community Editor for Resistance and Resilience.
