Diverse Voices
Voces Diversas

April 28 & May 5, 2026

5th Grade Literacy Program

ORDER FROM OUR 2026 DIVERSE VOICES COLLECTION AT MEADOWLARK PRESS
¡Las copias en español ya están disponibles!

One copy = $15

Both copies = $30

Order Your Copies Today!

MEET THE TALENTED YOUNG FACES BEHIND DIVERSE VOICES/VOCES DIVERSAS 2026

Walnut Elementary Fifth Grade
April 28, 2026

Logan Ave Elementary Fifth Grade
May 5, 2026

Diverse Voices is a young authors program working with fifth graders at local elementary schools to enhance literacy skills through creative writing. The students are encouraged to write in the variety of languages they may use and to use illustrations as a way to further communicate. The program emphasizes the importance of creativity, reading and writing skills, self-expression, and acceptance of themselves and one another. The grand finale of the program is the publication of an anthology of the students' writing and book launch event, during which the students read their pieces for the public. This year, the program was able to expand and include both Walnut and Logan Avenue Elementary School Fifth Grade classes.

5th Grade Classes from Walnut & Logan Ave

Young authors confidently reading their literary works in front of their peers, friends, families, and community members.

2026 Diverse Voices Workshop Facilitators

Their contributions, insights, and expertise helped make this our best program yet!

Lead Facilitator and Program Director for Diverse Voices

LINZI GARCIA

Linzi Garcia lives in Emporia, where she serves as the publicist and poetry editor for Meadowlark Press and as a board member for House of Morrow. She has facilitated over 50 community writing workshops and poetry readings. She is the author of Thank You and Cravings and the co-author of Live a Great Story and While Away: Travel Poems. Linzi is a recipient of a 2023 NextGen Under 30 Kansas Award.

Workshop Facilitator for Diverse Voices

EMILIE MOLL

Emilie Moll has a BA in English and creative writing from Emporia State University. She was the manager for the Kansas Authors Club’s Youth Writing Contest from 2023-25 and is currently a book editor for Meadowlark Press. She loves time with her cats, scary stories, and being a part of the community. Emilie is a recipient of a NextGen Under 30 Kansas Award.

Workshop Facilitator for Diverse Voices

NIKKI MORROW

Nikki Morrow is a Kansas poet who writes under the pen name SALM. She is passionate about the transformative power of words and creative expression, using poetry as a tool to inspire confidence, connection, and self-discovery. Through her work with fifth-grade students, Nikki has guided young writers in finding their voices and expressing their unique perspectives through poetry.

Workshop Facilitator for Diverse Voices

NYK ROBERTSON

Nyk is a poet, activist, and social justice warrior. Their poetry is centered in the tradition of spoken word. They have recently finished a chapter titled “Liminality and Affect: Knowing and Belonging Among Unscripted Bodies in Gendering Places Placing Gender” from Bristol University Press in May 2024. Their work focuses on belonging, humanity, and a pedagogy of hope.

CLICK ON THE GUEST FACILITATORS BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEM

Kevin Rabas

Past Poet Laureate of Kansas (2017-2019) Kevin Rabas teaches at Emporia State University, where he leads the poetry and playwriting tracks and directs the Donald Reichardt Center for Publishing & the Literary Arts.

He has sixteen books, including Lisa’s Flying Electric Piano, a Kansas Notable Book and Nelson Poetry Book Award winner.

Kevin joined the House of Morrow Diverse Voices/Voces Diversas initiative to give back to his local community - his rhythm workshop was a hit with the students!

Visit Kevin's Website!

Megan Love

Megan, with a background in art education, has been a librarian since 2012. As a youth services librarian, she enjoys creating engaging programs and activities. She takes great pride in the Emporia Public Library’s summer reading program, working hard with her team to plan a fun-filled season, and seeing it all come together.

Megan values literacy as a key part of library work, knowing libraries serve all ages and reading levels. She was thrilled to be invited to contribute to to House of Morrow’s Diverse Voices/Voces Diversas Literacy Program.

Visit Emporia Public Library!

Tracy Million Simmons

Over the past decade, Tracy has taken immense pride in every book produced by Meadowlark, where each project offers her a new adventure and an opportunity to learn, especially through her collaboration with authors. A lifelong reader herself, Tracy firmly believes in the power of stories to foster connection, showing that we all share common experiences, no matter our background.

Tracy supports the House of Morrow Diverse Voices/Voces Diversas Literacy Program because she enjoys encouraging young people to transform their passions into career paths.

Visit Meadowlark Books!