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April 24-26, 2026

Word of South

Sophia Papuchis

Sophia Papuchis is a vibrant, young teenage girl with a diverse range of passions and talents. She is an accomplished ballet dancer, dedicating months of preparation to her favorite production, The Nutcracker. She also enjoys playing piano and has a creative flair for hand crocheting. As one of five children, she cherishes family time and […]

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Seminole Vibes

Seminole Vibes is a new Neo-Soul/Modern music group from the world-renowned Florida State University’s College of Music. Composed of talented musicians from their Jazz and Commercial Music programs, Seminole Vibes combines smooth, soulful melodies with bursts of pop overtones. Led by Lawrence Turner, drummer, the band features vocalists Sarah Langdon and Eden Rewa, bassist Myles […]

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Skip Horack

Skip Horack is the author of the story collection The Southern Cross, winner of the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference Bakeless Fiction Prize; and the novels The Eden Hunter (a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice) and The Other Joseph. His fiction and nonfiction have appeared in numerous journals and magazines, and he is currently director of the Creative Writing […]

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Shonda Knight

A strategic communicator and veteran journalist of nearly two decades in television news, Shonda Knight has experience behind the anchor desk and as part of senior newsroom management teams. Named a Distinguished Alum of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical Univeristy in 2011, Knight also served as an adjunct professor at Florida State University for eight years. […]

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Chucha Barber

Oscar The Oyster and Rusty The Redfish it is the first book for Chucha Barber. It was inspired by the making of UNFILTERED: The Truth About Oysters which is currently streaming on PBS Passport. Chucha owns and operates Chucha Barber Productions, which creates television programs and documentary films. Chucha has been creating films for more […]

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Jess Bravin

Jess Bravin covers the U.S. Supreme Court for The Wall Street Journal, following earlier postings as United Nations correspondent and editor of the WSJ/California weekly. His books include The Terror Courts, an account of military trials at Guantanamo Bay, and Squeaky: The Life and Times of Lynette Alice Fromme, along with contributions to Violence in America: An Encyclopedia, Crimes […]

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Ajibola Tolase

Ajibola Tolase is a Nigerian poet and essayist. He is the author of 2000 Blacks, winner of the 2024 Cave Canem Poetry Prize. His writing has appeared in LitHub, New England Review, Prairie Schooner, Poetry, and elsewhere. He is a former Wallace Stegner fellow at Stanford University and has received a creative writing grant from […]

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BJ the Chicago Kid

Grammy-nominated R&B soul singer and songwriter BJ the Chicago Kid, born Bryan Sledge, hails from Chicago, Illinois. With gospel-soaked vocals, BJ first touched hearts with his debut independent album Pineapple Now-Laters. His career continued with his appearance on SchoolBoy Q’s Grammy award-winning single “Studio” and released his fourth mixtape, The M.A.F.E. Project, which included rap […]

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Mollie Hemingway

Mollie Ziegler Hemingway provides unique and thoughtful reporting and analysis of American politics and culture. She helped launch and is Editor-in-Chief of The Federalist, which has become one of the most influential voices in politics and has millions of readers. She is a Senior Journalism Fellow at Hillsdale College where she teaches journalism. A Fox […]

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Rachel Hillman

Rachel Hillman is a musician, songwriter, and educator whose work blends storytelling, rhythm, and deep emotional resonance. With a love for jazz, folk, and Latin influences, she crafts music that is both introspective and inviting, drawing listeners into vivid sonic landscapes. As a dedicated school teacher, she finds fulfillment in guiding others through the creative process, whether through […]

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