Artists in the Afternoon: Writing Our Own Narrative
About this Event
Artists in the Afternoon: Writing Our Own Narrative is where creativity meets community. Where stories inspire change.
Three Conversations. Three Perspectives. One Powerful Question: Who Gets to Tell Our Stories?
What happens when we stop letting others define our communities—and start writing our own narratives?
Join us for Artists in the Afternoon: Writing Our Own Narrative, a dynamic afternoon of storytelling, creativity, identity, representation, and community in Atlanta.
Featuring three powerful conversations:
🎬 FILM, TV & NEW MEDIA moderated by Dr. Derrick Tennial
Rasheed Newson producer, writer, and author (Bel-Air, The Chi, There’s Only One Sin in Hollywood) joins Tao Finklea, Asadullah “Asad” Saed Muhammad, and Michelle Elizabeth Brown for a conversation about Hollywood, representation, creative power, and who gets to shape the stories we see.
The panel brings together people working in different parts of the creative world, but they share an interest in the power of storytelling and its ability to connect people, challenge assumptions and create space for voices that deserve to be heard.
🏳️⚧️ TRANS VOICES moderated by Tracee McDaniel
Tracee McDaniel Presents… Atlanta’s Talk-Out Forum 2026
OUR STATE OF EMERGENCY — CONTINUED
Hear from Tracee McDaniel, Derek Baugh, E.R. Anderson, Gabrielle Claiborne, and Aubrianna “Aubri” Escalera as they explore visibility, identity, advocacy, resilience, and the power of Trans, Gender Non-Conforming, and Non-Binary people to tell their own stories—in their own voices.
Our State of Emergency — Continued brings together a diverse gathering of community leaders, advocates, and stakeholders for an honest and urgent conversation about what is really happening across the United States and the true state of our Union for Trans, Gender Non-Conforming, and Non-Binary people.
Together, we will confront the impact of dehumanizing legislation and political rhetoric, examine the targets being placed on our communities, and discuss how we respond—with resistance, resilience, advocacy, and collective action.
This is a conversation about more than survival.
It is about visibility. It is about dignity. It is about equity and justice. It is about our right to pursue happiness and live fully, authentically, and freely.
Our stories matter. Our voices matter. Our lives matter.
Join us for a powerful talk-out forum centered on truth, community, resistance, and the future we are determined to create.
🌈 YOUTH VOICES moderated by Nelson T. Quinones Jr, Associate Professional Counselor
In partnership with YOU(th) Belong at the LGBTQ+ Institute at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, this conversation will center young LGBTQ+ voices, emerging leaders, identity, belonging, representation, and the future of storytelling.
Youth panelist information coming soon.
WHY IT MATTERS
Our stories belong to us.
From Hollywood writers' rooms to community spaces and the next generation of leaders, Writing Our Own Narrative asks who gets to tell the story—and what happens when we take back the pen, camera, microphone, and creative power.
EVENT DETAILS
📅 September 5, 2026
🕐 1:00–4:00 PM
📍 The Starling Atlanta Midtown, Curio Collection by Hilton
📍 Atlanta, Georgia
FREE ADMISSION — RSVP REQUIRED SIGN UP NOW and reserve your seat!
Come listen. Come connect. Come be seen. Come write your own narrative.
SHOW UP. PARTICIPATE. WRITE YOUR OWN STORY.
For vendor opportunities contact Phil Esteem [email protected]
The Esteem Awards LGBTQ+ & People of Color Epiphany Arts Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, celebrates the trailblazers, changemakers, and champions advancing BIPOC, LGBTQ+ communities and our allies. Since 2007, the Esteem Awards has honored extraordinary individuals and organizations in entertainment, media, civil rights, business, and the arts. Join us as we celebrate powerful achievements, amplify diverse voices, and honor those creating a more inclusive world where everyone is free to live authentically, be seen, and be celebrated! Learn more & get involved: www.TheEsteemAwards.com
We’re pleased to welcome as the official bookseller for Artists in the Afternoon: Writing Our Own Narrative.
Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase copies of Rasheed Newson’s novel, There's Only One Sin in Hollywood, and other featured books at the event.
Come meet the authors, hear the conversation and take home a book from Atlanta’s independent bookselling community.
We're honored to have YOU(th) Belong at the LGBTQ+ Institute at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights as a partner for this outstanding event.
Our Headliner is Rasheed Newson
Rasheed Newson Knows Hollywood. Now He’s Asking Who Gets to Rewrite It.
The Bel-Air co-creator and The Chi writer joins Film, TV & New Media panel exploring identity, representation, power and the stories we tell about ourselves.
https://vimeo.com/1216822159
https://vimeo.com/1216806706?fl=pl&fe=cm
https://vimeo.com/1216821910?fl=pl&fe=cm
Artists in the Afternoon: Writing Our Own Narrative is brought to you by and REThink the Narrative.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
