Jennifer N. Shannon (@writerjns) is an author + photographer + curator. She has written and published four books and has had her poetry and short stories published in literary magazines, exhibits and an anthology.
Most recently, Jennifer served as guest editor for Yellow Arrow Journal's spring 2024 issue, titled ELEVATE and she has work forthcoming in Callaloo and others. She was selected to attend the 2021 Hurston/Wright Foundation Writers Weekend for Fiction and she was a 2022 Poetry Fellow at The Watering Hole. Jennifer was also a 2022 Baker Award finalist for Literary Arts and was selected as a Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) 2023 Triennial Artist for Literary Arts.
In addition to writing, Jennifer curated the virtual exhibit, REVOLT: Black Joy Still Exist, It Always Will and the 2022 in-person exhibit, Black Joy is My Protest. Both exhibits featured artists from across the country and showcased Black Joy in unique and creative ways.
The latest exhibition, Black Joy Is My Protest was displayed at Busboys and Poets in Baltimore, MD for six months and was supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC).
Jennifer is also a member of the Laurel Arts Council.
Find more of her work at Creative Communion on Substack.