Leora Jackson
Leora Jackson is the Founder of the Umoja Soul Writers Group which is composed of authors, writers, editors and bloggers.
She is the CEO and Publisher of Umoja Soul Publications, Inc., which publishes the Black Business Directory online and in print. She is also a Certified Coordinator of the Writing for the Soul Workshop which helps youth to enjoy writing by expressing themselves on paper, public speaking and dramatic arts.
Jackson will be the featured writer at the next monthly meeting of the Ozark Poets and Writers Collective, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, at Nightbird Books on Dickson Street in Fayetteville. The event is free and open to the public.
Jackson is also an activist and advocate for justice as she is the Founder of Poetic Justice Open Mic of NWA. She provides a safe platform for the community to speak through open mic and help hosts other events in the NWA community such as Justice Week 2/26 to commemorate the death of Trayvon Martin. She helped to host Say Her Name Candlelight Vigil in honor of Sandra Bland and other women of color who have died at the hands of law enforcement.
Jackson was recently at the Willie Tillman Vigil along with leaders from NWA IWW, and HandsUpNWA leaders. When it comes to justice, gender equality, LGBT issues, disability rights, and women’s rights, Jackson is bound to show her support.
She is an author of two published books, “Candy Apple: A Diverse Collection of Poems,” and “Cotton Candy, Sweet Poems for the Soul.” She is a former editor of “Single Moms Examiner” and current editor of YDHAT (Pronounced ‘Why That’), and Young Deaf & Hard of Hearing Awareness Team newsletter. This organization is a group of children with disabilities that she spearheads.
She is a graduate of the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s in communication and psychology and a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. She is originally from Marianna, Ark., and currently resides in Fort Smith.
When she is not doing advocacy work with Umoja Soul, or YDHAT, she will be found at the skating rink, at the park, library, or movies with her 7 year old son Leron.
