This week, I learned that Kimbilio is a forever kind of thing if you choose to make it so. And I choose it. I choose it because the love, the joy, and the tenderness I felt this week was like no other. The resources at Kimbilio, from its community to its partnerships, bring about tangible returns for writers who are often overlooked or ignored. Here, the faculty and staff take delight in ensuring that writers are seen, heard, felt, and even challenged as writers, dreamers, and storytellers.

My time at Kimbilio was a boon to my writing career. As a first time attendee, I gained the confidence and skills as a fiction writer, and felt affirmed in the work I was already doing. I am a writer without formal training and depend on communities like Kimbilio to practice writing fiction, gain valuable and rigorous feedback, and learn to be an effective storyteller. The ability to return and truly be a part of the Kimbilio community adds a touch of accountability for me to continue my stories, and now I have a wide range of writers I can contact to read drafts and lean on through this writing journey.

Never has my creative well been filled so quickly. Never have I gained so much wisdom—and practical advice!—in such a short time. And while these are things I’m happy to have gained, what I found truly remarkable was the Kimbilio community. I not only found readers—so many, many strong readers. I found friends. I feel privileged. I feel blessed. And I wrote! In between workshop sections, lectures and hikes through the Appalachian Mountains, I found a couple hours each day to work on my novel-in-progress. It’s stronger because of this retreat.

I was fortunate enough to have David as my evaluator. His feedback was insightful and invaluable, and I really appreciated how he validated some of the choices I made in my writing. In both the workshop and our one-on- one, I walked away with advice and ideas that made the revision process feel less daunting. So, I am forever grateful. But getting critique is only one of the many reasons why Kimbilio is necessary. There are few safe spaces in which Black writers can come together, write together, learn together, critique each other’s work together without having to explain the euphemisms we sometimes use because we already “get” it, and laugh together. I met so many wonderful, talented emerging and established Black writers that I never would’ve crossed paths with if not for the retreat. So, I’m proud to now be part of the Kimbilio family.

I developed my passion for writing as a lonely child escaping into books and my imagination. Writing became my outlet as a misfit, so I never expected to find a place where I fit in, especially as a Black writer. Kimbilio is a very unique and special place where feeling in community is completely effortless and intuitive experience for me. I can’t say enough about how embraced, validated, and encouraged I felt—and how in awe I am of the other fellows. Everyone is so unique and extraordinary and yet bonded to each other by shared love for our craft and culture. It was absolutely nourishing and motivating.

Being surrounded by other black fiction writers of all ages and background was exciting, inspiring, and necessary. I appreciate the effort from everyone involved and the time that the Kimbilio team took to create such an, overall, meditative experience. The closing ceremony really put into perspective just how impactful having a safe space amongst ourselves, and specifically as this one, is. It encouraged me to continue creating no matter how hard my day to day makes it, to work hard, and be extraordinary. What we do matters, we matter, and it is easy to forget that and become jaded by our current circumstances. This retreat was a reminder of why I exist.

Kimbilio provides an essential space—welcoming, encouraging, and filled with brilliant writers. Being part of this group gave me exactly the confidence boost I needed. The experience addressed crucial gaps in my writing, particularly around craft and structure, and I know I’ll emerge as a stronger writer. Beyond the technical growth, I’ve gained a network of inspiring writers whose work I’ll follow for years to come. In an industry that doesn’t always center Black voices, Kimbilio offered something rare: a space that was simultaneously safe, joyful, and transformative.

Kimbilio is a lifeline for writers like me who are seeking spaces and. community where our stories are nurtured and valued. While we move in and out of traditional spaces, it’s important to know that Kimbilio is fertile ground for craft, exploration, and creative expression for and by Black writers. The opportunity to meet and experience so many Black writers on a journey to reflect our stories back to us meant that I could absorb their insights without wondering if they understood where I was trying to go. At our Fellow readings it became clear that we are the future of literature. Kimbilio must be nurtured to ensure that Black writers thrive among talented faculty, abundant resources, and a rich network of artists who care deeply about the way art upholds our humanity.

As an alumnus of Kimbilio, I enjoyed the same camaraderie in 2025 (perhaps even more) as in 2024 during my first year of being a Kimbee. All the Fellows coalesced during every occasion, and our approach signified unity, generosity, and an in-depth interest in helping each person aspire, imagine, and pursue the utmost intention for the work we discussed, wrote, read and listened to. I think this facet of fellowship shines deeply and welcomes all Kimbees into a powerful embrace. You need only step into a workshop space, a reading space, an eating space, a firepit space, a sing-along space, ANY space with Kimbees in attendance and this energy manifests with authentic fluidity. I will do all I can to ensure that Kimbilio continues and expands.

“Kimbilio is a safe place for African American writers to ask hard questions of their art and of the cannon itself. It is a safe place to experiment and evolve, engage and argue, explore and discover. Kimbilio is as necessary as fire.” 

“Kimbilio was the first time I felt whole as a person and writer. No explanation needed, just accepted as a writer, my work and words appreciated in a way I’ve never experienced. Describing this experience to family and friends, I see them immediately open up to a new way of thinking because as black people we’re hungry to have our stories told and retold. ” 

“The Kimbilio retreat was such an energizing experience.  During the retreat I had several private moments when I would look up at the expanse of beautiful brown faces of varying shades coming from different locations in the diaspora, and I felt so at peace. We are so lucky to have such a place.”