Hailing originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Erika DeShay Lowenkron is an English teacher and writer living in East Colfax. Erika studied poetry under Mary Kinzie at Northwestern University and is still reeling from Robert Pinsky calling her a poet when she introduced him at her college graduation. In her 23 years teaching, she has taught 4th-12th grade and facilitates a writing class for other teacher-writers. Erika’s poetry can be seen in Spoken Black Girl, Fatal Flaw, and 45 Magazine. A short fiction piece is upcoming in Half and One this year. When not writing or grading essays, she’s probably baking her love into pies.

“A writer is a world trapped inside a person.” - Victor Hugo