“Could’ve” by Akin Jeje is a powerful poem of generational frustration, self-reflection, and resilience that confronts hopelessness while examining expectation versus survival in a complex, modern world.

“A Town on a Lake” by Albert Christer Singletary is a fictional narrative exploring fleeting encounters between two racially isolated Black men in a small New England town, examining belonging and quiet human connection.

"Locked" by Sonia Kinyua is a coming-of-age short story exploring self-acceptance, Black hair, and identity, revealing how her journey with hair is shaped by her mother, peers, and ultimately herself.