Janis F. Kearney
Guest/Teaching Artist
Janis F. Kearney is President and Founder of Writing our World Publishing, and a 501C3 Nonprofit, Celebrate! Maya Project. She is an author, book publisher, and writing instructor, born to southeast Arkansas cotton sharecroppers. She graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a B.A. in Journalism, minoring in English. She served nine years as a project manager and public affairs director for Arkansas state government. She served briefly as managing editor for civil rights legend Daisy L. Bates’ historic Arkansas State Press Newspaper, before purchasing and becoming publisher of the newspaper in 1988, upon Bates’ retirement. In 1995, Janis became the first ever personal diarist to a president, serving in the William J. Clinton presidency for 6 years. She began her writing journey in 2001 and has written and published over 17 books. She founded the Celebrate! Maya Project after Dr. Maya Angelou's death in 2014. The organization serves youth and small communities in Arkansas, using Maya Angelou's life and legacy as a blueprint for helping youth lift their voices for good, and making a difference in their communities.