Reagan Woods Announced as the 2024 Collier Writing Fellow

​​The Mamie and Jimmie Collier Writing Fellowship has announced Reagan Woods as the recipient of the 2024 fellowship. This fellowship, named in honor of Yasmin and Susan-Sojourna Collier’s parents and co-founded by the sisters, was established in 2022 to support emerging BIPOC screenwriters and playwrights who demonstrate exceptional talent and a unique vision in their work. Reagan Woods, a screenwriter with a deep affinity for surrealism, has been recognized for her anthology pilot, "Low Country."
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Reagan Woods discovered her love for screenwriting during her undergraduate studies in Film and Video at Georgia State University, where she found that writing allowed her stories greater autonomy than directing. In 2023, she earned an MFA in Narrative Media Writing from the University of Georgia. Her work is known for bringing African American mythology to life, offering a counter-narrative to the media's predominant focus on European myths. Reagan’s anthology series, "Low Country," aims to highlight the rich stories of the African Diaspora, showcasing that despite physical separation from their ancestral home, the spirit of their ancestors remains strong.
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As part of the fellowship, Reagan will receive a $1,000 cash prize. This opportunity will provide Reagan with practical industry advice, career guidance, and the chance to receive mentorship from industry professionals with a track record of success.
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Yasmin Collier-Kenney, cofounder of the fellow, appreciates Reagan’s commitment to amplifying African American mythology through her unique lens of surrealism is truly inspiring. We are honored to support her journey.
Susan-Sojourna Collier, an Emmy-nominated writer and screenwriting professor at New York University Tisch School of the Arts, expressed her admiration for Reagan’s work: “Reagan Woods' 'Low Country' is a groundbreaking piece that not only entertains but educates.
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Two-time BroadwayWorld Awards nominee Jordan von Haslow, the fellowship’s patron and president of the Entertainment+Arts Alliance (EAA), also shared his thoughts: “The Collier Writing Fellowship is dedicated to nurturing voices that bring new perspectives to the screen and stage. Reagan exemplified this mission with her innovative storytelling and dedication to diversifying the narratives we see in media. We are excited to see where her talent will take her.”
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The Mamie and Jimmie Collier Writing Fellowship, with the EAA serving as its fiscal sponsor, aims to provide writers with practical industry advice, career guidance, and mentorship opportunities. The EAA operates with the mission to "invest in the well-being of the individuals who color the fabric of our cultural spirit."