Carolyn Holbrook: Creating Space for Black Voices in Minnesota’s Literary Community
Writer, educator, and mentor Carolyn Holbrook is shaping Minnesota’s literary landscape by centering Black voices and stories. Featured in the Echoes of Unity Special Edition, Holbrook reflects on how mentorship, cultural affirmation, and collective care create lasting opportunities for Black writers to thrive.
In Minnesota’s literary community, Carolyn Holbrook has carved out a space that centers Black voices, stories, and creativity. Through her work as a writer, educator, and mentor, Holbrook encourages Black writers to see their experiences as valuable and their perspectives as necessary to the broader cultural conversation.
Holbrook is the founder of “Go Back and Fetch It,” a nine-month program designed specifically for Black writers. The program provides participants with intensive guidance on craft, publishing, and storytelling, emphasizing self-determination and cultural pride. Holbrook’s goal is to create an ecosystem in which Black writers are supported not only to produce work but to thrive sustainably in the literary world.
“Too often, Black writers are asked to adapt their stories to fit mainstream norms,” Holbrook said. “We wanted to create a space where people can bring their full selves, their histories, and their truths, and be guided in a way that honors that genius.”
The program combines workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities, allowing emerging writers to connect with established authors, editors, and literary professionals. Over the course of the nine months, participants are encouraged to explore a variety of forms, from poetry to fiction to nonfiction, and to think about the ways their work can impact readers and communities alike.
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Holbrook situates her work within the broader context of collective liberation and community building, ideas closely tied to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of justice and opportunity for all. “What we’re doing is about more than writing; it’s about creating cultural infrastructure,” she said. “It’s about showing young Black writers that their voices are not just important… they are essential. And we want to ensure that those voices have a sustainable path forward.”
Minnesota’s literary scene has grown more diverse in recent years, but systemic barriers remain. Holbrook emphasizes that programs like “Go Back and Fetch It” are necessary to counteract these inequities. By investing time, mentorship, and resources into Black writers, she aims to cultivate a generation of creators whose work will influence culture, thought, and policy.
Holbrook’s vision is deeply relational. She notes that mentorship and community support are central to sustaining Black creative leadership. “You can’t do this work in isolation,” she said. “You need a network, a village, a community that lifts each other up. That’s what makes it possible to thrive, even when the world doesn’t always make space for you.”
Beyond her program, Holbrook is active in the Twin Cities literary and cultural ecosystem, participating in panels, readings, and collaborations with local organizations. She encourages other writers, artists, and community leaders to think critically about how they can create structures that elevate marginalized voices.
Holbrook’s approach is not only about professional development but also about cultural affirmation. She believes that storytelling is a tool for healing, reflection, and transformation. By centering Black experiences, histories, and imaginations, Holbrook helps participants see the power of their own narratives.
“The idea of ‘going back and fetching’ is about reclaiming what has always been ours,” she explained. “It’s about connecting with traditions, honoring ancestors, and asserting that our stories matter. When you write from that place, it changes not just the work but the writer, and the community around them.”
Readers and potential participants can support Holbrook’s work in multiple ways: engaging with events, promoting Black authors, or applying to “Go Back and Fetch It.” Information about the program and other Holbrook-led initiatives is available on her website, where she also shares resources for writers at all stages.
In a cultural moment that continues to demand attention to equity and representation, Carolyn Holbrook’s work reminds Minnesotans that nurturing Black creativity is essential. By fostering talent, mentoring writers, and creating intentional space for their voices, Holbrook contributes to a literary and cultural ecosystem that is richer, more inclusive, and more reflective of the community it serves.
Through programs like “Go Back and Fetch It,” she ensures that the next generation of Black writers is not only seen and heard but celebrated. Holbrook’s dedication exemplifies the power of leadership grounded in vision, mentorship, and collective care, echoing the values of equity and justice central to the broader legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Carolyn Holbrook is a long-time writer, educator, and literary activist dedicated to amplifying Black voices in Minnesota.
She hosts the nine-month mentorship program Go Back and Fetch It for Black writers and has spent decades shaping the state’s cultural and artistic landscape. For more information on Carolyn Holbrook, visit www.carolynholbrook.com.