The Crown Publishing Group partners with Storehouse In A Box to launch Storehouse Voices™, a new imprint committed to elevating Black voices

The Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, announced the establishment of Storehouse Voices™, a new imprint committed to elevating Black voices.

Developed in partnership with award-winning entrepreneur and philanthropist Tamira Chapman, Storehouse Voices will issue books across a broad range of nonfiction categories and fiction genres, promoting the richness of Black storytelling through intentional acquisitions and hiring efforts, strategic partnerships, and authentic, equity-minded community outreach. Founded with a mission of bridging the representation gap of authors of color in the publishing industry, Storehouse Voices is informed by a deep understanding of the unique cultural and historical contexts of the Black experience in America and committed to ensuring that literary works by underrepresented authors are presented authentically, respectfully, and powerfully across the publishing and media landscape.

The founder and CEO of Storehouse In A Box, LLC (SIAB), a global merchandising company that in 2022 was recognized as the eighth-fastest-growing woman-led enterprise globally, Mrs. Chapman has an established reputation for developing and delivering content that reflects the values and interests of the audiences and communities she serves. Through her multiyear association with Penguin Random House, she has supported numerous publications by hosting large-scale virtual events with authors such as Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman. Mrs. Chapman will serve as Publisher of Storehouse Voices.

Porscha Burke, who most recently served as Senior Editor and Director of DEI Strategy for the Crown and Random House Publishing Groups, has been named Associate Publisher of Storehouse Voices, effective immediately. She will work closely with Mrs. Chapman in shaping the imprint's publishing program and mission and in leading the imprint's community engagement initiatives. Ms. Burke brings more than twenty years of experience in the publishing industry and has acquired and edited works by Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, and Jon Meacham, among other authors. An inaugural board member of People of Color in Publishing and PRH's DEI Council, she has long championed diversity in the industry. She will report to Mrs. Chapman.

Jennifer Baker, a widely respected publishing professional who previously served as Senior Editor at Amistad Books and who most recently was Senior Program Manager at Narrative Initiative, has been appointed as Editorial Director of Storehouse Voices and will join the company on February 10. A versatile editor whose interests include fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and graphic novels, Ms. Baker has acquired and published works by debut, critically acclaimed, and high-profile authors such as Jenifer Lewis and Tiffany Haddish, among others. She is the creator, host, and producer of the long-running Minorities in Publishing podcast and a former contributing editor to Electric Literature. Ms. Baker will report to Mrs. Chapman.

Also joining the Storehouse Voices editorial team will be Chelcee Johns, who has been named Executive Editor, effective February 3, reporting to Ms. Baker. With fifteen years of editorial and digital content strategy experience spanning book publishing, digital media, and online magazines, Ms. Johns brings a passion for and belief in impactful, entertaining books to help shape and create culture. Currently a Senior Editor at Ballantine, an imprint of Random House, Ms. Johns has acquired and edited numerous critically acclaimed and bestselling nonfiction and fiction titles, including Neruda on the Park by Cleyvis Natera (a New York Times Editors' Choice selection), Rootless by Krystle Zara Appiah (an NAACP Image Award winner), and Sisterhood Heals by Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, host of the award-winning Therapy for Black Girls podcast. Previously, Ms. Johns was an Associate Editor at 37 Ink/Simon & Schuster.

The blueprint for Storehouse Voices developed from the success and community engagement demonstrated by the Women & Words program, a collaboration between Penguin Random House and SIAB: a series of virtual workshops and unprecedented networking sessions pairing literary agents with aspiring authors. Designed to amplify the stories of underrepresented women and demystify the publishing industry and its processes, Women & Words had more than 10,000 Black women register within thirty days, thousands attend each online session, and numerous authors finally succeed in securing agent representation. The overwhelming success and the community's demand for more inclusive publishing opportunities directly led to the establishment of Storehouse Voices.

In keeping with its roots in Women & Words, Storehouse Voices will include an innovative community-based author incubator program in addition to acquiring books from literary agents. Five writers who participated in the Women & Words program have already been signed to book deals by Storehouse Voices, including Nia Gilliam (memoir); Cheryl Polote-Williamson (inspirational nonfiction); Temple Day Smith (historical fiction); Marie Sutton (biography/memoir); and Michael A. Tinsley (YA/fantasy).

They join celebrated playwright, director, and author David E. Talbert, whose book Everything I Know (I Learned from a Woman) was acquired by Storehouse from Albert Lee at UTA; Arian Simone, award-winning entrepreneur, author, and venture capitalist, best known as the cofounder and CEO of the Fearless Fund, which invests in women of color–led businesses, whose book Freedom to Be Fearless was acquired by Storehouse from Meredith Miller at UTA; and Demond Martin, whose inspirational memoir Friends of the Good was acquired by Storehouse from Gail Ross at WME. An investor, a philanthropist, and the cofounder and CEO of WellWithAll, an innovative health and wellness company that pours a significant portion of its profits into health equity for Black, Brown, and underserved communities, Mr. Martin is a former partner at Adage Capital Management and a member of the Board of Directors of the Obama Foundation.

Further details about Storehouse Voices' inaugural roster of authors and works can be found at www.storehousevoices.com.

As part of its unique publishing proposition, Storehouse Voices offers a comprehensive ecosystem designed to support emerging authors by showcasing their work, providing feedback, and connecting writers with literary agents and a vibrant network of book lovers. Storehouse's digital platform, storehousevoices.com, will enable authors to create detailed profiles to showcase their work, connect with readers and agents, and participate in community conversations and events. The platform includes a dedicated portal for manuscript submissions, tracking tools to monitor submission status, and integrated review and ratings systems to provide feedback. Additionally, authors can provide book updates, publish blogs, share reviews, and offer sample chapters to engage directly with early readers of their works.

Said Tamira Chapman of Storehouse Voices: "We're creating a home for Black voices and celebrating the richness of diverse storytelling. I'm deeply grateful to the tens of thousands of Black women whose passion and dedication to excellence in literature made this moment possible, and to David Drake, Porscha Burke, and Penguin Random House for their leadership and belief in the importance of amplifying Black voices. Diverse authors have a home here, and we call on the brightest talent in publishing to join us in reshaping the narrative. Together, we will tell bold, inclusive stories that honor our experiences, amplify our voices, and redefine the future of storytelling for generations to come."

Said David Drake, President of the Crown Publishing Group: "As a visionary entrepreneur and industry disruptor with a relentless focus on achieving excellence, Tamira Chapman has long demonstrated an unwavering commitment to developing content that speaks to the experience of the audiences she serves and that fosters an authentic sense of community. Crown is honored to partner with her and the talented team at Storehouse Voices to break some publishing molds that have long needed to be broken to better serve diverse authors and readers."

Said Porscha Burke of Storehouse Voices: "It is not lost on me that Toni Morrison, as an editor at Random House, still needed to get the approval of others in order to acquire books for her list. The curatorial power Tamira and Storehouse will enjoy—and our collective deep roots in both reader communities and traditional publishing structures—is the fruit of such incredible ancestors' labor. It is an honor to be able to expand the impact of their work in such fresh and exciting ways."

Said Jennifer Baker of Storehouse Voices: "For many of us, books are our lifeblood as well as our life's work. Storehouse Voices represents an innovative way to share stories of the African diaspora; Storehouse's mission also speaks to so much of what I've loved about the arts and its many intersections. I mentioned to Tamira [Chapman] and Porscha [Burke] that they're a true powerhouse, and I meant it. Their leadership and combined expertise, the bounty of amazing stories to be told and championed, and the support from David [Drake] and Crown will further foreground our perspectives and stories. It's a true honor to collaborate and dream with this team."

Said Chelcee Johns of Storehouse Voices: "Storehouse Voices is answering a felt need in the industry for both authors and readers alike while making innovation and authenticity key cornerstones. I look forward to being a part of the foundation-building of such an imprint and bringing books to the world that impact, uplift, and entertain." 

National Museum Of Nuclear Science & History Host Exhibit Honoring African American Contributions To STEM

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History will host a special exhibit honoring Black History Month. The exhibit will explore and recognize African Americans’ contributions, scientific achievements, and impact in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

This impactful poster exhibition in the museum’s Periodic Hall will showcase the diverse achievements of prominent African American scientists, mathematicians, and inventors who have shaped our world. From groundbreaking medical advancements to pioneering space exploration, the exhibit highlights these individuals’ profound impact on our nation and beyond.

Visitors will learn about figures such as Dr. Charles Richard Drew, a pioneering surgeon renowned for his work in blood plasma preservation and the establishment of America’s first large-scale blood bank. The exhibit also celebrates Dr. Mae Carol Jemison, an engineer, physician, and former astronaut who made history as the first African American woman to travel to space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor.

“We are honored to highlight the achievements and contributions of these outstanding individuals,” Jennifer Hayden, Museum President and CEO said. “We hope this exhibit will offer new and inspirational role models for future generations.”

“Black History Month is the perfect time for students and community members to celebrate the incredible achievements of African Americans in STEM throughout history,” Hayden added.

The museum’s Black History Month exhibition is included in the admission price and will be on display throughout February.

The HBCU Executive Leadership Institute at Clark Atlanta University Announces Record-Breaking Number of 2025 Community of Fellows

The Executive Leadership Institute at Clark Atlanta University (HBCU ELI) proudly announces the participation of 46 outstanding candidates for its 2025 Community of Fellows. This milestone celebrates individual achievements and underscores the critical importance of nurturing the next generation of executive leaders within Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Now in its fifth year, HBCU ELI is noted as one of the most prestigious executive leadership programs for HBCUs in the United States. To view a full list of the 2025 Community of Fellows, click here.

The fellows are proven executive leaders and change agents who will participate in a series of virtual and residency seminars providing knowledge and hands-on skills. The program focuses on 13 core competencies resulting in a certificate and optional micro-credentials that prepare future presidents to lead the nation's HBCUs.

HBCU ELI offers a transformative learning experience that empowers participants to address the complex challenges facing HBCUs today. Through academic excellence, practical experience, and mentorship, graduates emerge as visionary leaders who are prepared to drive positive change and advance the legacy of HBCUs.

"HBCU ELI is dedicated not only to the current leaders of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) but also to those who aspire to leadership roles within these institutions in the future. A comprehensive preparation across various disciplines is imperative for achieving success," stated President George T. French, Jr., Ph.D., Clark Atlanta University. "By investing in the next generation through our Community of Fellows program, we effectively respond to this imperative—drawing upon the wealth of knowledge, experiences, and insights contributed by alumni, as well as other distinguished HBCU leaders and stakeholders."

The success of HBCU ELI is made possible through the generous support of grants from leading organizations such as the Chan Zuckerberg Institute, ECMC, the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, the Rich Foundation, and the Truist Foundation, among others. These partnerships reflect a shared commitment to investing in the future success of HBCUs nationwide.

"As we celebrate the remarkable 5th anniversary of the Executive Leadership Institute at CAU, I commend the visionary leadership and steadfast commitment that has propelled this program to the forefront of HBCU excellence. The Class of 2025 Fellows embody the future of HBCU leadership, and I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of them for stepping into this transformative journey," said Dr. Phyllis Worthy Dawkins, Executive Director, HBCU ELI and 18th President of Bennett College. "Programs like HBCU ELI are indispensable in equipping our next generation of leaders with the tools, wisdom, and resilience to uphold the proud legacies of our institutions while navigating the complex challenges of higher education today. Here's to continued innovation, collaboration, and impact as we advance the mission of HBCUs nationwide."

2025 HBCU ELI Community of Fellows program speakers include:

• Dr. Phyllis Worthy Dawkins, HBCU ELI Executive Director, 18th President Bennett College
  
  
• Dr. Cheryl Davenport Dozier, HBCU ELI Program Coordinator, President Emerita, Savannah State University
  
  
• Dr. George T. French, President, Clark Atlanta University
  
  
• Dr. Johnny Parham, retired Executive Director, Thurgood Marshall College Fund
  
  
• Dr. Samuel D. Jolley, Jr., Former President, Morris Brown College
  
  
• Dr. Vann Newkirk, President, Wilberforce University
  
  
• Dr. Juliette Bell, President Emerita, University of Maryland Eastern Shore
  
  
• Dr. David Wilson, President, Morgan State University
  
  
• Dr. Marguerite Stoglin, Senior Vice President, Philanthropic Strategist, Bank of America Private Bank
  
  
• Dr. Robert Franklin, President Emeritus, Morehouse College and;
  
  
• Dr. Adena W. Loston, President, St. Phillip's College, among others

To view the full list of HBCU ELI speakers and coaches, click here.

Justice Department Announces Results of Review and Evaluation of the Tulsa Race Massacre

The Justice Department issued a report today on the Tulsa Race Massacre. The report documents the department’s findings, made during its review and evaluation of the Tulsa Race Massacre, undertaken pursuant to the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Act. The Civil Rights Division previously announced it was undertaking this review during a Cold Case Convening held on Sept. 30, 2024.

“The Tulsa Race Massacre stands out as a civil rights crime unique in its magnitude, barbarity, racist hostility and its utter annihilation of a thriving Black community,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “In 1921, white Tulsans murdered hundreds of residents of Greenwood, burned their homes and churches, looted their belongings, and locked the survivors in internment camps. Until this day, the Justice Department has not spoken publicly about this race massacre or officially accounted for the horrific events that transpired in Tulsa. This report breaks that silence by rigorous examination and a full accounting of one of the darkest episodes of our nation’s past. This report lays bare new information and shows that the massacre was the result not of uncontrolled mob violence, but of a coordinated, military-style attack on Greenwood. Now, more than 100 years later, there is no living perpetrator for the Justice Department to prosecute. But the historical reckoning for the massacre continues. This report reflects our commitment to the pursuit of justice and truth, even in the face of insurmountable obstacles. We issue this report with recognition of the courageous survivors who continue to share their testimonies, acknowledgement of those who tragically lost their lives and appreciation for other impacted individuals and advocates who collectively push for us to never forget this tragic chapter of America’s history.”   

The report documenting the department’s findings on the Tulsa Race Massacre, examines events that occurred between on May 31 and June 1, 1921, when white Tulsans mounted a concerted effort to destroy a vibrant Black community, remembered today as Black Wall Street. During the massacre, hundreds of Black residents were murdered, their businesses and homes burned to the ground and their money and personal property stolen. Survivors were left without resources or recourse. In the aftermath, the City of Tulsa resisted offers of meaningful help to the victims and utterly failed to provide necessary aid or assistance, and efforts to seek justice through the courts foundered.

Despite the gravity of the department’s findings, it is clear that no avenue of prosecution now exists for crimes that occurred during the massacre — the youngest potential defendants would today be more than 115 years old, and the relevant statutes of limitations expired decades ago. Nevertheless, as the federal government’s first thorough reckoning with this devastating event, our review officially acknowledges, illuminates and preserves for history the horrible ordeals of the massacre’s victims. As antilynching advocate Ida B. Wells said, “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” This report aims to do just that.

The Nature of the Review

A team of career lawyers and investigators from the Emmett Till Cold Case Unit of the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division conducted the review. Members of the unit spoke with survivors and with descendants of survivors, examined firsthand accounts of the massacre given by individuals who are now deceased, studied primary source materials, spoke to scholars of the massacre and reviewed legal pleadings, books, and scholarly articles relating to the massacre. The team produced a thorough, 123-page, sourced report.

Factual Findings

The review revealed that, on the night of May 31, 1921, a violent attack by as many as 10,000 white Tulsans destroyed Greenwood, a uniquely prosperous Black community. The attack was so systematic and coordinated that it transcended mere mob violence. The review found that the trigger for the violence of the Tulsa Race Massacre was the kind of unfounded condemnation that, at the time, was commonly employed to justify unspeakable treatment of Black men; a white man alleged that a Black man, 19-year-old Dick Rowland, assaulted a white woman who operated an elevator he used. After Rowland’s arrest, a local newspaper then sensationalized the story and, soon, a mob of white Tulsans gathered outside the courthouse, demanding a lynching.

The local sheriff called on Black men from Greenwood, many recently returned from service during World War I, to come to the courthouse to prevent a lynching. The white mob saw this effort to protect Rowland as an unacceptable challenge to the social order. The mob grew. A confrontation broke out, and when someone fired a shot, horrific violence erupted. The Tulsa police deputized hundreds of white residents, many of whom — immediately before being awarded a badge — had been drinking and agitating for Rowland’s murder. Law enforcement officers helped organize these special deputies — as well as other white Tulsans — into the forces that would eventually ravage the Greenwood community.

Violence was initially unorganized and opportunistic. But at daybreak on June 1, a whistle blew, and the violence and arsons that had been chaotic became systematic. White Tulsans, many of whom had recently drilled together as the “Home Guard,” formed to replace members of the National Guard who had gone overseas during the Great War, became organized and efficient in their destruction. They looted, burned and destroyed 35 city blocks while Greenwood’s residents tried desperately to defend their homes. As the fires consumed Greenwood, many Black families fled for their lives, leaving behind their homes and valuable items. White residents chased them across and beyond the city, taking into custody men, women, children, the elderly and the infirm, and looting the homes they left behind. The destruction of the district was total. The survivors were left with little to nothing.

Law enforcement officers (both from the Tulsa Police and the National Guard) disarmed Black residents, confiscated their weapons and detained many in makeshift camps under armed guard. In addition, there are credible reports that at least some law enforcement officers did more than arrest and detain Black men; some participated in murder, arson and looting. After the devastation, city officials promised to help Greenwood rebuild, but the government of Tulsa not only failed to do so, it put up obstacles to residential reconstruction. White local leaders rejected outside aid, claiming they could handle the recovery, but then provided little to no financial support. Instead, claiming the area was best suited for industrial use, they imposed harsh new fire codes that priced residents out of the area.

Legal Findings

The department’s report concludes that, had today’s more robust civil rights laws been in effect in 1921, federal prosecutors could have pursued hate crime charges against the massacre’s perpetrators, including both public officials and private citizens. In addition, if modern interpretations of civil rights laws were in effect in 1921, police officers, public officials and any who acted in concert with such persons could have been prosecuted for willfully violating the civil rights of massacre victims. Many of these legal avenues, however, were not available in 1921. The few avenues for federal prosecution that were available in 1921 were not pursued.

Now, the statute of limitations has expired for all federal civil rights offenses. Moreover, the team could find no living perpetrators, and prosecution under any law (federal or state) would almost certainly be foreclosed by the Constitution’s Confrontation Clause, which requires the government to provide live witnesses who can be cross examined by the accused. Such witnesses would need to have sufficient knowledge to prove a particular defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The report recognizes that some may find the department’s inability to prosecute a painful or dissatisfying outcome. However, the review recognizes and documents the horrible events that occurred as well as the trauma and loss suffered by the residents of Greenwood. While legal and practical limitations prevent the perpetrators of the crimes committed in 1921 from being held criminally accountable in a court of law, the historical reckoning continues. Legal limitations may have stymied the pursuit of justice, but work continues to ensure that future generations understand the scale and significance of this atrocity.

Following issuance of the report, Assistant Attorney General Clarke will convene with members of the Greenwood District, survivors and descendants of the Tulsa Race Massacre, the Tulsa civil rights community and other stakeholders.

For further information please contact the Office of Public Affairs. If you have information about a civil rights cold case, meaning a hate crime or other civil rights offense that resulted in death and that occurred on or before Dec. 31, 1980, please contact the Civil Rights Division’s Cold Case Unit at Coldcase.Civilrights@usdoj.gov.

Jewel Rodgers named the 2025-2029 Nebraska State Poet

The Nebraska State Poet is a designation that recognizes and honors a Nebraska poet of exceptional talent and accomplishment. The State Poet serves a five-year renewable term as an advocate for poetry, literacy, and literature in Nebraska. The duties of the State Poet include giving public presentations and readings, leading workshops and discussions, and providing other outreach in schools, libraries, literary festivals, and various venues in rural and urban communities throughout the state. To accomplish this, the State Poet joins with the Nebraska Art Council’s Nebraska Touring Program and the Humanities Nebraska Speakers Bureau. The first poet to hold the position of Nebraska State Poet was William Kloefkorn, who served for 29 years, until his death in May 2011.

The Nebraska State Poet is selected based on artistic excellence, exemplary professionalism demonstrated by significant publications and special honors, an established history of community service in the advancement of poetry in Nebraska, and the ability to present poetry and interact effectively with a public audience. In addition, the Nebraska State Poet must be a legal, full-time resident for at least three years prior to the application deadline and must maintain Nebraska residency during the full term of office.

About Jewel Rodgers

Jewel Rodgers has been a spoken word poet for more than a decade and has performed in schools, festivals, community settings, conferences, public events and other venues. She has written and performed for the city of Omaha, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), University of Nebraska – Omaha (UNO) and upon request for public officials like Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, Congressman Don Bacon and Gov. Jim Pillen.

Rodgers has been a three-time Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards nominee for best performance, and a three-time TEDx speaker. She has received numerous accolades, including being a 2022 Union for Contemporary Art Fellow, a 2023 Andy Warhol Populus Fund Grantee, and a 2024 finalist in the Blackberry Peach Poetry Slam. She is also a teaching artist with the Nebraska Writers Collective and cohosts the Nebraska Poetry Society’s monthly Vocal Fry Open Mic. Some of her works include, Impossible Ain’t Nothin’, King’s Legacy and They Love You.

“To me, this appointment is not about being the best poet there ever was, but rather, expanding where, how and to whom poetry can matter,” said Rodgers.

In her letter of consideration, Rodgers said she hoped to use her role as state poet to expand on her experiences using the spoken word to make poetry accessible and relevant to all Nebraskans. She said she has three key initiatives: education through poetry, increasing access to diverse communities and nurturing more Nebraska writers.

“Jewel has received numerous honors and awards for her presentations. As someone who excels at speaking, as well as writing, she will be a great ambassador for Nebraska in the role of state poet,” said Gov. Pillen. “Jewel joins the ranks of other notable writers and poets from Nebraska who have distinguished themselves and inspired future generations through their creativity.”

Rodgers received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL). She has a master’s degree in real estate development from New York University.