VOICES Spring Schedule 2026
Thursday, February 12: Writer and Podcaster Nicole Hylton (7:30, Daugherty Palmer Commons)
Come celebrate an SMCM Alumn; introduced by Professor Jennifer Cognard-Black
Nicole Hylton is a writer-of-all-trades from Southern Maryland. She writes poetry, short stories, creative nonfiction essays, and has completed two novellas, plus a memoir. She is also co-host of the podcast Girls’ Lunch. Her work has appeared in The Under Review, Words and Sports Quarterly, Little Patuxent Review, Wraparound South, and other publications. Nicole holds a B.A. from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and an M.F.A. from Northern Arizona University, where she taught composition and creative writing. She currently works as a grant writer, helping nonprofits find funding to continue their critical work.
Thursday, March 12: Novelist Eman Quotah (7:30, Daugherty Palmer Commons)
Eman Quotah is the author of two novels: The Night Is Not for You and Bride of the Sea, winner of the Arab American Book Award for Fiction. Her essays, stories, and book reviews have appeared in USA Today, Literary Hub, Mizna, and other publications. She’s been awarded writing fellowships from MacDowell and Hedgebrook and grants from the Maryland State Arts Council and the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County.
When she’s not writing her own work, Eman is a communications consultant. She’s also the secretary of the board for RAWI, which represents writers of Southwest Asian and North African heritage. She lives with her family in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Thursday, April 2: Orquesta Manplesa (7:30, Daugherty Palmer Commons)
Introduced by Professor José Ballesteros; in collaboration with ILC
At the intersection of tradition and youth, just past Mount Pleasant Street, lies Orquesta Manplesa. Named after the Spanish pronunciation of Mount Pleasant, the 9-piece salsa band is focused on upkeeping the musical tradition of Latinos in DC, especially in this historic neighborhood. Orquesta Manplesa lives by one rule: “keep them dancing.” Their eclectic mix of salsa, spanning eras and regions, keeps the dance floor alive all night. Orquesta Manplesa puts into music what it means to be from DC – community and joy above all else.
Thursday, April 23: Poet Chet’la Sebree (7:30, Daugherty Palmer Commons)
Introduced by Professor Jeff Coleman
Chet’la Sebree is the author of the poetry collections Blue Opening; Field Study, winner of the 2020 James Laughlin Award from the Academy of American Poets; and Mistress, nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Her debut essay collection turn (w)here: a geography of home is forthcoming in 2026. Currently, she’s an assistant professor at the George Washington University and faculty in Randolph College’s Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing program.
About
The VOICES Reading Series, established by poets Lucille Clifton and Michael Glaser over 30 years ago, features poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers and is intended to bring accomplished writers to the campus to interact with students and faculty. Invited writers read their works throughout the semester on Thursday evenings at 8:15 P.M at Daugherty-Palmer Commons, and all readings are free and open to the public. Once or twice a month, authors give a short reading and then respond during a brief question and answer period. Each reading is followed by a reception, where students and faculty can mingle with the author and other interested writers and readers. The author’s book(s) are also sold during the reception and can be signed by the author. Luminaries such as Mark Doty, Elizabeth Alexander, Toni Morrison, and Naomi Shihab Nye have read in the series.
Information on events are posted throughout campus, and emails are sent out near the date of the readings; please contact the director, Karen Leona Anderson (klanderson@smcm.edu) if you would like to be added to these notifications. In addition, all the events and information on the authors can be found at our Facebook page: Creative Writing Resources at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
