Miami, FL – September 4, 2024 – Noelle Kristina Barnes, a Miami native, has won the grand prize in the prestigious African Diaspora Award competition for her short fiction piece, "Burning or a Bullet." This historical fiction story, set in the fall of 1920, explores the mysterious murder of a Black woman in Ocoee, Florida, through the unique perspective of the deceased adulteress, Delphine Collins. The narrative delves into themes of the women’s suffrage movement, female friendship, racism and reckless rivalry.
Barnes, an award-winning marketing entrepreneur and community organizer, received a $1,000 prize, and her story will be featured in the upcoming anthology "Black Butterfly: Voices from the African Diaspora" published by Kinsman Avenue Publishing, Inc.
"I am deeply honored and too thrilled to receive this recognition." Barnes said. "This story entertains, but it also explores a dark chapter of Florida history. Crafting it opened my eyes to legacy preparedness and opportunities for redress. The truth-telling of this history is under attack, which poses a real threat to truth-telling our present and future. I am very grateful to the Kinsman Quarterly review team and judge Akinsola Jeje for providing this platform for "Burning or a Bullet."
The winners and top finalists of the African Diaspora Award 2024 were selected among the longlisters by judge and literature director Akinsola Jeje, the Nigerian-Canadian poet of the African diaspora himself. Akin currently resides with his family in Hong Kong where he is active in the cultural arts.
For a list of all winners and top finalists of the African Diaspora Award 2024, visit KinsmanQuarterly.org. Stay tuned for more information about the June 2025 anthology release. For updates and more about N.K. Barnes, follow her on @msnoelle2u on Instagram or visit noellekbarnes.com.
About Kinsman Quarterly
Kinsman Quarterly is the literary journal of Kinsman Avenue Publishing, Inc, a 501(C)3 non-profit organization that celebrates, equips, and publishes individuals of BIPOC and underrepresented communities. Our mission is to diversify the literary landscape, extend opportunities to underrepresented literary artists, and amplify the voices, cultures, and histories that have been muted for generations. We envision a society where multicultural narratives are governed with authenticity in contrast to filtration through a mainstream lens or popular market trends.
About Noelle Kristina Barnes
Noelle Kristina Barnes was born and raised in the historically Black communities of Opa-Locka, Miami Gardens, and Brownsville, Florida, where she currently resides. As the daughter of lifelong public servants and a graduate of New York University’s Gallatin School for Individualized Study, Noelle’s writing is driven by a passion for empowerment and enlightenment through the lens of resilient Black Florida women. Noelle is an award-winning marketing entrepreneur, public affairs specialist, film producer, and community organizer, drawing inspiration for her storytelling from New Thought and ageless wisdom. This is her first published short fiction story.
Media Contact: Clear Sheppard, clear@contentcaterer.com
Comments