The Nate Holden Performing Arts Center will host the six distinguished voices of the Longwood Writers Workshop in celebration of their newly released anthology, “A Gathering of Voices.” The book launch takes place on Saturday, April 19, at 3 p.m.
Described by Christopher D’Angelo Benson, Associate Professor at Northwestern University’s School of Journalism, as “a powerful collection of compelling narratives that are both granular and global, inviting us into an intimate connection with exceptionally well-drawn characters who offer a larger-than-life takeaway: the rich, multidimensional experience of Black America,” the event will feature live readings, reflections, and conversation. “NCIS” actor and director Rocky Carroll, a Tony, Drama Desk, and NAACP Image Award nominee, will moderate the afternoon.
The Longwood Writers Workshop began in 2018, founded by award-winning actress and author Denise Nicholas, best known for her roles in “Room 222” and “In the Heat of the Night.” After the success of her debut novel “Freshwater Road”— a critically acclaimed work inspired by the Civil Rights Movement’s Freedom Summer — Nicholas sought to rekindle the spirit of community and collaboration that had helped her complete her book.
Having once left college to join the Free Southern Theater and work on voter registration in the South, she understood the power of collective storytelling. Bringing that same spirit to her dining room table in Hancock Park, she invited a group of trusted peers — including Charles Floyd Johnson, Denise Billings, Otto E. Stallworth, Jr., GW Williams, and Hattie Winston — to form what would become an ongoing writing workshop.
The workshop began with memoir writing but quickly evolved into something more expansive. “We realized we had stories that didn’t quite fit into our memoirs—but that needed to be told,” said Charles Floyd Johnson, a three-time Emmy-winning producer known for “NCIS,” “JAG,” “Magnum P.I.”, and “The Rockford Files.” The result, as author Paul Levine describes it, is a “stirring anthology from half a dozen perspective writers whose unique voices speak universal truths.”
The book, which features a foreword by Tony Award-winner Phylicia Rashad, is now available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major retailers. Structured like a stage play, the anthology unfolds in acts—“Childhood Memories,” “When Love Is Not Enough,” “Hope and Perseverance,” “Knocking on Heaven’s Door,” “Remembered, Loved and Admired,” and “The Struggle Continues”—with each section offering stories that explore legacy, identity, and strength.
Charles Floyd Johnson, for example, contributes five essays. One revisits his childhood in a Delaware soda shop, where his fascination with television first took root. Another—titled “In the Middle of the Night”—recounts his battle with pancreatic cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also reflects on encounters with icons like Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama, and shares a behind-the-scenes look at producing “Red Tails,” the George Lucas film honoring the Tuskegee Airmen.
The anthology is not historical, nor poetic, per se, but it is undeniably rich with emotion and wisdom. As Nicholas explains, “Writing is rewriting, and rewriting again. This book is the product of six years of revision, reflection, and honest exchange.”
“Younger creatives are navigating a very different industry today,” Johnson noted.
“But one thing remains the same, talent always wins. If you believe in yourself, work hard, and stay true to your voice, there’s a path forward. That’s what this book is about—resilience, hope, and the power of story.”
The April 19 launch event is free with RSVP via Eventbrite, though seats are limited and expected to sell out. Books will be available for purchase on-site, and the authors will be available to sign copies and meet readers.
To learn more about the Longwood Writers Workshop and “A Gathering of Voices,” visit longwoodwritersworkshop.com.
