Mentee Madison Mailutha Honored in Teen Writing Contest

Fourteen-year-old mentee Madison Mailutha was named an honorable mention in New York Public Library’s James Baldwin Teen Creative Contest. The contest asked teens in New York City to take inspiration from Baldwin’s work to tell the world what they’re passionate about, what inspires them, what angers them, what they’ve learned about life, or what gives them hope. The contest was a part of Celebrating 100 Years of James Baldwin: NYPL’s year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the writer and activist. Madison found the opportunity through the Girls Write Now Portal, and she was supported by her mentor, Kiki Tom.

Madison’s moving essay, “Fragments of Me,” explores her mixed-race identity as she attempts to fully celebrate her Kenyan and Filipina backgrounds and answer the question, “What does it really mean to be both?” She performed the piece at the New York Public Library where she was cheered on by her fans, including her father and her mentor.

“I’m a Madison Mailutha super-fan!” Kiki said. “At the event, I was bursting with pride and excitement. I feel lucky to be part of her development as a writer—which is hardly even necessary, as her voice is natural and powerful, making me a witness to the greatness that is unfolding on so many levels! Madi is amazing.”

Madison’s essay will also be published in the forthcoming Girls Write Now anthology, Hope Lives in Our Words.