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Voices of Our Nation Arts Foundation (VONA/Voices) is a nonprofit literary organization providing writing workshops for writers of color. VONA was founded by Elmaz Abinader, Junot Díaz, Victor Díaz and Diem Jones in 1999 and remains the only multi-genre workshop for writers of color in the nation.

Mission Statement
VONA, the only multi-genre workshop for writers of color in the nation, brings writers of color from the margins to a community where their work is centralized and honored. At VONA, developing writers find a place where they can: Explore their craft in an atmosphere of support and understanding Exchange ideas and inspirations with established writers Gain empowerment to move from VONA to a writer’s life with authority and confidence

History
The founders of VONA/Voices envisioned an arts organization that centers on writers-of-color narratives, voices and experiences. Created out of a desire to change the landscape for writers of color by supporting individual writer growth, VONA/Voices creates the space for community engagement and nurtures a workshop and mentor focus to expand writing opportunities. Since its inception, VONA/Voices has emphasized the need for increased access in communities where writing programs may not exist. The Voices of our Nations Arts Foundation (VONA) is dedicated to nurturing writers of color and has been holding summer workshops for twelve years in the Bay Area.

Program
Since it was founded in 1999, the summer workshops have been held at University of San Francisco and St. Mary’s College. VONA now makes its home at University of California, Berkeley and at the University of Miami. The annual week-long workshop in Berkeley and the weekend intensive in Miami have included workshops in Fiction, Poetry, Memoir, Political Content, LGBTQ Narrative and Graphic Novel. VONA announced that the 2014 program in Berkeley offers three new workshops: Romance Writing, Travel Writing and Speculative Fiction. In addition to the workshop program, VONA/Voices also offers Residencies where writers from any genre work one-on-one with their master faculty member as well as meet with fellow writers in a residency group. At the culmination of the annual workshops, VONA/Voices hosts a faculty reading event that is free of charge and open to the public. Throughout the year, VONA/Voices supports alumni events in cities across the country, provides an online forum for literary opportunities and launches community writing programs and events.

Impact
VONA/Voices amplifies the often-silenced voices of color, bringing their stories forward in helping define, as well as contribute to, individual and collective experiences. VONA/Voices continues to invite writers from diverse backgrounds and walks of life into a conversation about who they are as writers of color and experience the development of their craft in a nurturing environment that promotes understanding and empowerment.