Meet Courtney Morgan and Abby Templeton Greene | CO-Executive Directors of Sidewalk Poets

We had the good fortune of connecting with Courtney Morgan and Abby Templeton Greene and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Courtney Morgan, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Both Courtney and I have worked in different spheres doing similar work, including teaching at other nonprofits, universities, libraries, hospitals, as well as within the public school system. Firstly, we really wanted to teach writing and storytelling through a lens of acceptance, empowerment and healing. So often in educational settings it is taught as a skill, a craft that you either have or don’t have. We want to teach writing as a tool that everyone has access to, because we all carry the stories of our lives within us anyway, why not use that to strengthen ourselves and our communities? We also saw large discrepancies with who was getting access to these classes and workshops–we wanted to create a space for people to heal and connect through story without a price tag attached and to build access for the people who are often given the fewest resources, but who may need it and benefit from it the most.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
We are both artists and teachers. This sets us apart because we know firsthand the healing powers of writing–as it’s what has propelled us both forward and kept us both from falling over (or apart) as people, mothers and writers. We are both published authors and know how empowering it is to be able to share your story with the world. We also know that publishing is not the end all to storytelling. It is another form. If you want to write a book, that is awesome–and we can help! But also, maybe there are other ways you want to share your work? On a billboard, on a rooftop, etched out in sidewalk chalk, on stage? We really like to play with the idea of unique publishing. As well as just creating spaces where people can share their stories in community, and get the benefits of feeling seen, heard and valued. We fervently believe that every story matters, and we want to help share and spread as many as we can!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh man, so many great spots in this town! Some highlights for us would be: getting a coffee at Quince Coffee Shop or Prodigy Coffeehouse, walking around the lake at City Park while listening for peacocks from the zoo. Head downtown to get a smothered burrito at Taco de Mexico while stopping by Su Teatro or getting lost in the studio rooms at Redline, MCA or the Denver Art Museum. Would spend some time walking around Five Points enjoying street art and tacos and tequila at Agave Shore. Would love to do a walk or drive around The Rocky Mountain Arsenal looking for buffalo and listening for the coyotes at sunset. I would end the night with a beer at East Fax Tap or head into the Downtown Aurora Arts District for a fresh brew from Lady Justice. Also, recommend ordering some sweet treats from Three Cherries on Top!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There is so much great arts programming within the Denver area–we want to support the amazing work that is already being done, and at the same time, fill in the gaps. There is always room for more! There are plenty of people who still do not have access to this sort of work, especially within communities that speak languages other than English. There are many great organizations doing incredible work within these communities, many of whom we’ve been able to partner with to bring our specific lens on writing and storytelling. We want to shout out Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning, Prodigy Coffeehouse, East Colfax Community Collective, Village Institute, Florence Crittenton High School, Redline Contemporary Art Center, Vanessa Roberts at Project Voyce, Tanya Mote at Su Teatro, Veronica House at the Coalition for Community Writing, local leader and activist Christian Steward, and Jovan Mays, the former Poet Laureate of Aurora, for all the amazing work they are doing—we could go on and on. These are some of the people and communities who have supported and inspired us in beginning and continuing this work.

Website: www.sidewalkpoets.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidewalk_poets/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sidewalkpoetsnonprofit/

Image Credits
Image by Jesse Temple Trujillo