About this project
UPDATE: Although I have reached my $9,000 goal Kickstarter and Amazon together take almost 10% of the total amount funded (a number which I did not originally factor into my goal calculation). If everyone could please continue to spread the word and back this project I would truly appreciate it. Thank you!
Hello. My name is Alexis Marie Wint. I am 19 years old and in my junior year at Bard College at Simon's Rock nearly on a full scholarship. I have maintained a 3.92 gpa and I am lucky enough to have been accepted to go to Manchester, England, for a semester on a study abroad program. I want to change the world, but I don't want education funding to get in my way.
I will be researching race relations in Manchester, England and will write a collection of short stories, titled "Black Girl Abroad." The focus of my work will be on the experiences of Black Americans today, and how people all over the world learn about, interact with and perceive the lived experiences of African-American people.
The characters for each of the short stories will grow out of my observations and interactions while studying abroad in Manchester, England. This may not be the most exciting startup, but I am a driven young woman, and I think you'd be proud to have me eventually teach your children.
I am holding down three jobs at Simon's Rock right now and have leadership positions in two clubs; I plan on becoming a University Professor when I finish. As you can see by the attached link and biography in the lower right hand corner of the page, I have a uniquely positive perspective, grounded in shared everyday experiences of black-descended people all over the world.
As we work to become a more global society, I firmly believe that it is this type of very grounded but vividly image-driven story that will help to knit all cultures together in a global understanding. Thank you for helping me pursue my dream and enrich the world.
FAQ
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Manchester England has the largest single-site university in the UK. Studying in Manchester will afford me the opportunity to engage with a diverse group of people from all corners of the world. Also, according to BBC, "Britain currently has one of the highest rates of inter-racial relationships in the western world, with 50% of all black children born having one white parent." * Manchester will be the best place for me to conduct my research as it will enable me to work alongside of, and socially interact with a large, culturally diverse group of young driven people who share common interests and, from the previously cited statistic, consistently interact across racial lines. Manchester University also boasts one of the best American Studies departments in the UK. As I will be taking courses in African-American studies at the university it will allow me to see how other people learn about and perceive African-Americans.
*http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/people/highlights/010831_mixedrace.shtml
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- Interview costs and expenses
-Reimbursement of research participants and informants
-Travel expense accrued from multiple research sessions while in Europe
- Cover art for the completed work
- Working with an editor
- Registration of my manuscript
- Self-publication for the use of promotion to future potential publishers
- Distribution of self-published copies
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on January 6.
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One download of the poem of your choice from Alexis Marie's self-titled poetry album. Choose from 11 different poems!
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A hand-made 'thank you' note and downloads of two poems of your choice from Alexis Marie's self-titled poetry album. Choose from 11 different poems!
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A hand made 'thank you' note from the author and a copy of Alexis Marie's self titled poetry album. Listen to 11 different poems!
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Have your name appear in the 'thank you' section of my completed collection.
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All previous rewards and a copy of the finished work.
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You will receive a character description list and have the opportunity to rename one of the characters, as well as all previous rewards.
Project By
Connected as Alexis Marie (2890 friends)
Alexis Marie is a 19 year old Brooklyn native with a passion for social justice and change. Actress, poet, writer, spoken word artist, creator and community activist, Alexis is young in age but mature in her craft and passion for performance art. Along with having been a member of Urban Word NYC’s Youth Leadership Board (Word Wide), she was also a member of the 2008 Urban Word NYC Teen Poetry Slam Team that took second place at the national competition in Washington, D.C and won The Green Mic sponsored by Robert Redford—the prize for which she was able to travel to Utah to perform at the Sundance Film Festival. Alexis Marie also took second place at the NY Knicks Poetry Slam. In 2008 she wrote and performed her first one-woman show, Diary of a Young Black Girl, at Dance Theater Workshop. Alexis Marie has opened for artists such as Wyclef Jean, Mos Def and Goapele, to name a few. Alexis Marie was featured in the HBO documentary “Brave New Voices” as well as the MSG Documentary ” Knicks Poetry Slam.” She has performed on many stages including the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, The Apollo, The Bowery Poetry Club, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Madison Square Garden, The Hammerstein, The Kennedy Center, The Lincoln theater and many more. Alexis aspires to be a English professor and novelist, ultimately sharing her gift of word with the world.
