KaToya Ellis Fleming is the 2019-2020 Oxford American Jeff Baskin Writers Fellow. She holds a BA in English from Spelman College and an MFA in Narrative Nonfiction Writing from the University of Georgia. She is currently at work on her debut nonfiction book, a bibliomemoir entitled Finding Frank. Her work focuses on race and culture in the American South.

Musical Guest Tim Anthony

Tim Anthony is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas and follows a rich musical heritage started by his father, Lee Anthony, whose tenure as owner of Soul Brothers’ Record Shop and music producer of Little Rock’s “True Soul” record label recently inspired the re-issue of his collective work for release on Now-Again Records. Anthony is an Alumni of Parkview Fine Arts Magnet High School and holds a Bachelor’s degree from Webster University, St. Louis, MO in Commercial Music with emphasis in Jazz Studies. Since graduating in1992, he has been actively involved in the community as a performer, educator, and entrepreneur. His academic discipline and performing arts experience has allowed him to faithfully serve as his state’s unofficial “music ambassador”, both opening for and sharing the stage with some of the nation’s most revered and legendary artists. Anthony’s musical career began with performing in local talent shows and recording singing commercials for his dad’s record shop. In 1996, Anthony formed the band AFRODESIA, (Arkansas Arts Council Artist On Tour Roster.) and has enjoyed many musical accolades. In 2006, Anthony founded Afrodesia Studio of Performing Arts, where he currently serves as director and mentor. In addition to mentoring new and aspiring artists, Anthony also travels and performs throughout the United States, Europe, and South America. He has taught in the Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD) and as Lead Pre-K teacher and Program Coordinator for ABC Preparatory Academy in North Little Rock. Anthony received his Child Development Associate in 2011. In addition to the Arkansas Arts Council, Anthony has also served as Artist In Residence for the Arkansas A+ School Network.