My visit to Washington, D.C. had everything: Donald Trump's arraignment, the National Press Club and a Pulitizer prize winner
As part of a Journalism & Women Symposium fellowship, I attended a writing workshop taught by Pulitizer Prize winner Jacqui Banaszynski.
Best week ever.
I traveled to Washington, D.C., with my sister in tow, for a writing workshop arranged by the Journalism & Women Symposium (JAWS). I am part of a JAWS health fellowship where I’m writing about Black maternal health. The fellows and I attended a phenomenal narrative writing workshop by Pulitzer Prize winner Jacqui Banaszynski. The same day, just two and a half miles away, former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to 2020 election conspiracy charges.
I feel like Ron Popeil: But wait! There’s more!
We traveled to the National Press Club to meet and dine with its former president Angela Greiling Keane, who is the incoming JAWS president and Bloomberg Government news director.
During the trip, we also met with several accomplished correspondents and national health care writers about their beats. And, we stayed at the historic Kimpton Banneker Hotel, named for Benjamin Banneker, a Black assistant surveyor and astronomer born in 1731, who helped map the lands and boundaries of Washington, D.C. The place where enslaved people built the White House and Capitol building. A place where 45% of the residents today are Black.
My sister and I loved our night bus tour and marveled at the monuments. We were reminded once again that Black history is inextricable from American history. Black people’s contributions to this country are literally etched in stone all around the historic city.
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During our stay, we watched Black people going to and from work, with access cards dangling from their waistlines. Others drove buses or cabs. They waited on us in restaurants and checked us in at our hotel. They biked and jogged throughout the city. They lounged on blankets and danced in parks. Watching the nightly newscast, we saw interviews with Black business leaders, Black city leaders and everyday Black residents.
“Without Black people, this city would stop running,” my sister said. “I hope they remember that when they’re trying to erase us.”
Indeed.
This column is written as part of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative.
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How wonderful, and inspiring! I love DC, it's one of my favorite cities along with Atlanta and San Francisco. Your writing workshop sounds like the bomb, it's so energizing to be around people who have made such a difference with their lives, that drive, purpose and enthusiasm is contagious. Thank you for sharing this, I needed a jumpstart and you and your trip are my inspiration for this week... :)
Very cool experience. And yes, DC’s history and US history are Black history... and should be taught and remembered.