Join us on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 12 PM Eastern Time for our workshop in partnership with Cohen Veterans Network featuring special guest facilitator LeJuane "El'Ja" Bowens.
In this free, online, creative writing workshop we use the written and spoken word to find healing and self-discovery together in a welcoming, safe community. Open to all voices. No experience necessary. This session will be guest-facilitated by El'Ja Bowens—an award‑winning spoken word poet, author, host, and arts educator whose work bridges storytelling, culture, and community empowerment.
About the Facilitator
LeJuane “El’Ja” Bowens is an award-winning spoken word poet, author, host, and arts educator whose work bridges storytelling, culture, and community empowerment. Born in Detroit, Michigan and raised in Lima, Ohio, he served six years in the United States Army, including two deployments to Iraq—an experience that shaped his voice and commitment to creative expression.
El’Ja has collaborated with major national arts and community organizations, including The Kennedy Center, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and the Wounded Warrior Project, using poetry as a tool for healing, advocacy, and connection. He has been featured at notable cultural events such as the National Folk Festival and the Big Ears Festival, and currently serves as the Director of the Southeastern Regional NC Poetry Slam and Dilla Day: Fayetteville NC along with the Director of Programming for Fayetteville Fan Festival
A former slam champion with the Bull City Slam Team, El’Ja is a multiple award-winning poet whose performances and work have appeared on All Def Poetry, NPR, TedX, Amazon, and PBS. His artistry continues to inspire audiences while uplifting the literary arts across the Southeast and beyond.
Mission Belonging Marketing & Communications Manager
Rob Haney is an artist, writer, and graphic designer with a passion for making slick-looking and fun images that catch the eye and draw viewers in. Rob worked for over 10 years in retail banking and management in their previous life, before returning to school and earning an Associates of Arts with Honors from Rock Valley College in 2012. An early addict to Twitter, Rob enjoys liking and resharing cool stuff and interacting with people who hold similar interests on the internet. When not online, Rob writes and reads poetry, creates both physical and digital artwork, and watches British mystery shows.
