At the heart of Chicago’s South Shore, the warm and welcoming space of Da Book Joint (6900 S Stony Island Ave) buzzed with creativity and community. The event? A special writing workshop hosted by author Shiphrah Israel to celebrate her newest book, Golden Expressions: Create Your Own Poems & Short Stories, and to invite local writers and creatives to dive into their craft.
The Setting & Hosts
Da Book Joint — a Black‐owned bookstore deeply rooted in community, literature, and self-expression — has cultivated a reputation for blending culture, reading, and writing events. Located in the South Shore neighborhood, the shop became the ideal backdrop for an afternoon of inspiration and creative exploration.
Shiphrah Israel, author of Golden Expressions, brought both encouragement and structure. The book itself “offers more than 50 topics in which you can construct your own poem or short tale. We want to help you discover your creative side.” With her guidance, the workshop attendees were invited to look inward, express outward, and play with language.
Workshop Flow & Highlights
From the moment participants arrived, the energy was positive and lively. Here’s a recap of how the afternoon unfolded:
- Welcome & Warm-up: The session kicked off with introductions—writers, poets, storytellers of all levels sharing where they’re from and what brought them in. Ice-breaker prompts got pens moving right away.
- Guided Prompt-Writing: Drawing on Golden Expressions’ topics, Shiphrah led the group through a couple of her favorite prompts. Writers were asked to choose a topic, respond in a short burst (5–10 minutes), then share or reflect.
- Sharing & Feedback: After writing, attendees were invited to read aloud if they wished. The atmosphere was supportive—gentle applause followed each reading, and peers offered encouraging words rather than formal critique.
- Book Signing + Snacks: At the end of the workshop, Shiphrah held a book signing. Attendees got to pick up copies of Golden Expressions, ask her questions, and connect one-on-one. The store provided light refreshments, mingling felt easy and relaxed.
One Instagram post captured the vibe succinctly: “Imagine a room full of creativity, community, and golden expression. That was the vibe just a few days ago at the Creative Writing Workshop.”
Strength of the Event & Community Impact
- Inclusive & Accessible: Whether a seasoned writer or a curious first-timer, everyone felt welcome. The prompts were adaptable, making the creative process less intimidating.
- Community Building: Because Da Book Joint is locally owned and centered on African-American authors and readers, the workshop felt rooted in cultural affirmation and local connection.
- Catalyst for Ongoing Creativity: With the book’s 50+ topics as a resource, participants walked away not just with an afternoon’s worth of writing, but a tool to continue on their own.
- Positive Vibes: Feedback from attendees described the space as fun, energizing, and motivating—exactly what you want from a creative workshop.
