Go Back & Fetch It
A Mentoring Program for Early Career Black Writers
“Go Back & Fetch It sets the bar high. You let us know that the sky is not the limit, it’s only a view of what lies beyond.”
~ Ashante Gills, 2025-2026 Fellow
More Than a Single Story invites you to apply for Go Back & Fetch It! Twelve early career Black writers will deepen their individual writing visions and skills; build connections with experienced writers; and connect with other emerging writers to create a community of support and encouragement to last long after the mentorship ends.
What is it?
In the spirit of the Akan principle of Sankofa, cohort members will Go Back and Fetch It; in other words, they will learn from those with experience – both established Black writers and the powerful artistic lineage of our African ancestors – to build their futures as writers [see article about our great ancestor poet, Lucille Clifton written by Honoree’ Fanonne Jeffers]
The 10-month program will open with a weekend retreat in September led by our core mentors,
poet/memoirist, Michael Kleber Diggs and poet/fiction writer AE Wynter. The retreat will be
followed by monthly sessions led by guest mentors who will expand their knowledge of craft,
engage in generative workshops and peer feedback, and learn about the business side of writing
among other opportunities.
Who is Eligible?
Jerome Foundation defines early career artists as those who are in their 2nd to 10th year of generative creative practice, excluding time spent in a degree-granting program (if applicable), those who are not currently in a full-time degree program, those who have not published more
than one book in any genre.
Individuals who are at the very beginning—with less than 2 years—in their career as a generative artist are not eligible to apply. Likewise, artists with more than 10 years of experience creating and presenting work are not eligible to apply. For more information visit https://www.jeromefdn.org/jerome-eligible-artists
Application
Due to limited space, we can only accept 12 participants.
DEADLINE: June 30, 2026
Selected participants will be notified by July 30, 2026
Questions: email us at mtassinfo@gmail.com
Include a phone number if you’d like to speak with someone
