Dr. Kimmika L. H. Williams
Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon, Ph.D (Anthropology), M.A. Anthropology, MFA (Theater),Graduate Certificate)Women's Studies, B.A. (Journalism); is an Assistant Professor in the Theater Department at Temple University. A 2001 Independence Foundation Theater Communications Group Grant, the 2000 winner of the PEW Charitable Trust $50,000 fellowship in scriptwriting, and the 1999, winner of the DaimlerChrysler "Spirit of the Word" National Poetry Competition (Seattle) at the Unity'99 Conference, Kimmika Williams has also been the recipient of a host of awards and honors, including: the DaimlerChrysler Regional Poetry Contest (Philadelphia), the 1996, Lila Wallace Creative Arts Fellowship with the American Antiquarian Society and a two-time returning playwright with the Minneapolis Playwrights' Center and Pew Charitable Trusts Playwrights Exchange. Williams was, at one time, Arts Producer for public radio, WXPN-88.5, reporter and columnist with the Philadelphia Tribune and television editor for the Chicago-based "Maceba Affairs Media Review Magazine. As a journalist, Williams' articles and essays have appeared in the "Hammer" Journal,"Dialogue", the Philadelphia REAL NEWS, POETS & WRITERS Magazine, THE OTHER SIDE, the New York GUARDIAN NEWSWEEKLY, the DAILY MUSE, BLACK AMERICA MAGAZINE, PHILLY BEAT, HIGH PERFORMANCE MAGAZINE and the PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS. In 1986, she was commended for outstanding journalism by the Philadelphia Veterans Administration. Her stage credits include, "From Brillo Pads To Feminine Pads: Raw Abrasives", "A Product of Pop Culture and Pissed", "Nappy Truth", "Common Folk", "A CHAINED FOOT STUMBLING ON A NEW WORLD", "GUMBO", "WE THE PEOPLE","IZZY","THE BLACK DIAMOND" and "WHERE WERE YOU IN '65". link to UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

As a PLAYWRIGHT...
As a playwright, Williams-Witherspoon has had fourteen of her plays produced in professional theater, including "From Brillo Pads To Feminine Pads: Raw Abrasives" (Women's Festival/Painted Bride), "Dog Days: The Legend of O.V. Catto" (Venture Theater),"By What Price: Unity" and "Nappy Truths" (Penumbra Theater, Saint Paul, Minn.). Click here to find out more about Kimmika Williams' Plays

Kimmika Williams HONORS and CONTRIBUTIONS include:
Williams is a recipient of numerous Residency, Teaching and Community Service Awards, including citations from City Council, The Goode Admin., the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and the key to the city of Scranton, Pennsylvania by Mayor James P. Connors in 1992. A contributing poet to several anthologies including Bum Rush the Page (2002);(2001) Houston Poetry Fest Anthology;(2000) Split Verse: Poems of healing; (2000) Houston Poetry Fest Anthology; (2000) Austin Poetry Anthology; Sunlight on the Moon (1999), 1999 Essence Magazine; Hard Love: Writings on Violence and Intimacy,(1997); Hip Mama", ROITQUE NOIRE: BLACK EROTICA, (1992), NEW BLACK POETRY (1988), SAY THAT THE RIVER TURNS (1987) and CONCERNED POETS ON THE MOVE (1986), Williams-Witherspoon is the author of eight other volumes of poetry most recently, They Never Told Me There'd Be Days Like This (2002), and the spoken word CD "Spoken Word", the 1985 spoken word hit tape, Don't Call Me a Bitch and the soon-to-be released short story collection, Never Alone: Tales from the 'Hood. As a scholar, Williams-Witherspoon has participated in conferences on Language, Culture and performance art in Philadelphia, Canada, Texas, Alabama and New Jersey and is developing a provocative voice in theater and cultural studies. Click here to send an EMAIL to Kimmika L. H. Williams

Kimmika has been a CONTRIBUTING WRITER to these publications:
¨ DaimlerChrysler Anthology, June 2000 ¨ Split Verses: Poems on Healing, May 2000 ¨ International Austin Poetry Festival Anthology, April 2000 ¨ Essence Magazine, December 1999 ¨ Sunlight on the Moon, Carpenter Gothic Press, Island Heights, NJ, 1998 ¨ Women’s Words, Num. Two, Winter 1998 ¨ Hard Love: Writings on Violence & Intimacy, 1997, Queen of Swords Press, Eugene, Oregon ¨ Hip Mama, Magazine ¨ Erotique Noire: Black Erotica, New York, 1992, Doubleday ¨ New Black Poetry, 1988 ¨ Say that The River Turns, Chicago, 1987, Third World Press ¨ Concerned Poets on the Move, Philadelphia, 1986, In the Tradition Press ¨ Philadelphia Real News, 1990—Present ¨ Poets and Writers Magazine, The Other Side Magazine, The New York Guardian News Weekly, The Daily Muse, Black American Magazine, Phillly Beat, High Performance Magazine and The Philadelphia Daily News. Click here for more biographical information on Kimmika Williams