Nzima Hutchings

Nzima Hutchings is an award-winning author and poet. She has written three books of poetry, an expressive writing workbook helping women to heal, discover and also write to whole person acceptance. She has written several custom journals for various organizations She is the curator, editor and author of two bestseller poetry anthologies, Every Kinda Lady (2020) and Her Sisters Pages (2022).

As a literary artist advocate and teaching artist Nzima has facilitated and taught writing to wellness, spoken word, and writing for social justice workshops at the Hartford Arts Academy in partnership with ActUp Arts Theater Academy, Toivo Wellness Center, Trinity Health of New England and the Connecticut Alliances, When Women Speak, Mount Holyoke College and has hosted monthly creative writing workshops.

- **Poet and Community Leader**
  - Published four books of poetry
  - Builds community through literary contributions

- **Enfield Poet Laureate**
  - Participated in numerous local events:
    - Annual Christmas tree lighting
    - Pride gatherings
    - Juneteenth celebrations (2023 and 2024)
    - Ujima Mental Health Awareness Conference
    - Connecticut Asnuntuck Community College Literary Festival
  - Hosted open mic events, readings and poetry workshops at Enfield’s Barnes & Noble from January to the end of Poetry Month
- **Beyond Enfield**
  - Shared stage with other poets and Poet Laureates at:
    - Connecticut Science Center
    - Mount Holyoke College
    - Connecticut Literary Festival
    - Hartford Book Festival
    -  I am Woman Movement, Labor of Love families caring for loved ones with disabilities.
- **Television Series Host**
  - "Nzima’s Poetry Cafe Show" focusing on poetry and literary discussions

- **Representing Enfield**
  - Represented Enfield at Yale University's MLK celebration as a poetry slam judge
  - Raised awareness for gambling addiction in New London, Connecticut
  - Hosted Community Art Fusion of poetry and paint

- **Workshop Facilitator**
  - Facilitated workshops for other teaching artists
  - Awarded a grant from the Artist Hub, using funds to support poetic art in the community

- **Youth Engagement**
  - Read poetry at Prudence Crandall Elementary School
  - Facilitated poetry for back-to-school literacy nights in Hartford

- **Competition Judge**
  - Served as a PIE judge, supporting the World Language Department and Enfield poetry group in national competitions
  - Read for the Enfield Community Chorus

- **Community Initiatives**
  - Establishing an annual poetry festival in Enfield with support from the Enfield Culture Arts Commission
  - Plans to launch a poetry club in April, during Poetry Month in 2025
Published in several anthologies in the states of Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. 

- **Amherst Writers and Artists Leader and Affiliate**
  - Newly appointed, continuing mission to inspire and uplift through words and creativity.