Our Team

Sherian Brown
Community Leader | Editor
Sherian Brown has written two novels and has edited several types of fiction, nonfiction, and other creative writing projects for nearly 20 years. When she’s not engrossed in editing her latest project, she enjoys reading, yoga, and traveling. She has a Master of Science in Cardiopulmonary Science and a Bachelor of Science in Biology. A freelance copyeditor with WordWiser Ink, Sherian edits medical, nonfiction, and fiction projects. Visit her at wordwiserink.com.

Denise Matthews
Community Leader

Kimberly Bibbs
Community Leader
Kimberly Bibbs is an author from Houston, TX, who writes to take people to another world. She knows she was born to write. She has dreamed of becoming an author for as long as she can remember, starting back in elementary school. She published her first book in 2013, Haters and Chasers, a fiction book about women with unconventional business plans. She also writes and edits academic literature. She enjoys collaborating with writers in person or via web meetings. Kimberly is an avid reader and enjoys reading both nonfiction and fiction. Her goal is to help other writers turn their manuscripts into books. Visit her website at kimberlyabibbs.com.

Gwyn Jordan
Community leader | Editor

Shaundale Rénā
Community Leader | Editor
Shaundale Rénā is an American author and entrepreneur who holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from Grambling State University and a certification in technical writing from the University of Texas at Arlington. She is the author of one published book entitled Once Broken, Now Blessed (2009), as well as a contributing author for two additional publications that include If Only I Knew Then What I Know Now (2017), which debuted at #16 on Amazon Self-Help/Self-Esteem, and My Story, My Journey: Collateral Beauty (2019). She enjoys reading, writing, and traveling. Visit her website at shaundalerena.com.

Darlene Burnett
Community Leader
A native of New York City, Darlene is a writer and an elementary school teacher with a B.S. degree in education. While working as a teacher she made a commitment to manage her two loves, teaching and writing.
She is presently writing her first fiction novel. Darlene is also co-authoring a narrative nonfiction. Her collection of writing consists of essays and short stories in the genres of fiction and nonfiction. Many of her nonfiction pieces offer her views on race and issues affecting women. Darlene is a devoted investor in her craft with a tangible vision of publishing and sharing her prose.

Zoe Foster
Social Media Manager

Omavi Victorine
Community Leader
Kyra Barr Tamira Butler-Likely
THIS COULD BE YOU
COMMUNITY LEADER
BWC has opportunities available. For more details, see Get Involved.
Founder | Director
Tia Ross
Founder | Director | Editor
Tia Ross is a 25+-year veteran copyeditor who edits for Big 5 publishers, including Amistad/HarperCollins, Adams Media/Simon & Schuster, and Moon Travel and Workman/Hatchette Book Group, as well as independent authors, corporations, and nonprofit organizations. In addition to publishing, she has a technical background in software, telecom, internet development, and digital forensics, and freelances as a technical and UX writer and editor. Tia has been actively supporting and creating resources and opportunities for writers and editors in countless ways since the ’90s.
In addition to founding and serving as director of BWC, Tia is founder of:
- WordWiser Ink, a boutique editing firm with a team of elite copyeditors and proofreaders
- Black Editors Network, a place for Black editors to fellowship and find leads and resources
- Black Editors & Proofreaders Directory, profiling Black freelance editors and coaches of all levels and genres
- Writeful Retreats, luxury writers and editors retreats at vacation destinations
- Boss Events & Travel, organizes multi-day meetings, symposiums, and travel for groups of 10 and up
- Black Writers Reunion & Conference, returning in 2023—the eighth of seven conferences held across the U.S.
Tia is also author of the forthcoming book, So You Want to Be an Editor…But Can You Edit?
Tia enjoys living and working as a digital nomad. When she’s not in the Caribbean, Central America, South Pacific, or South America, she can probably be found in Texas near her two adult sons. She is passionate about fitness and an avid cyclist and yogi. She has an AAS in Computer Information Technology—Software & Database Programming, an AA in General Studies—Professional & Technical Writing, and a BS in Information Science & Technology, plus certificates in project management, digital forensics, content strategy, database programming, and software development.
To learn more about Tia, her editing services, or her other companies, visit www.tiaross.com.
Advisors

Dr. Venise Berry
Advisor
Venise Berry is an associate professor of journalism and African American studies at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Berry is published widely in academic and creative circles with books, short stories, journal articles and book chapters. Her academic research focuses on media, African Americans and popular culture. She is the author of three national bestselling novels, with a fourth to be published in 2022, and recipient of an Iowa History Makers Award from the African American Museum in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 2003, she received the “Creative Contribution to Literature” award for Colored Sugar Water from the Zora Neale Hurston Society. All of Me received a 2001 Honor Book Award from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association.

Dr. Anita Heiss
Advisor
Professor Anita Heiss is the award-winning author of non-fiction, historical fiction, commercial women’s fiction, children’s novels and travel articles. She is a proud member of the Wiradjuri Nation of central New South Wales, an Ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, the GO Foundation and Worawa Aboriginal College. Her adult fiction includes Not Meeting Mr Right, Avoiding Mr Right, Manhattan Dreaming, Paris Dreaming and Tiddas. Her most recent books include Barbed Wire and Cherry Blossoms which was longlisted for the Dublin International Literary Prize and was named the University of Canberra’s 2020 Book of the Year.
As an advocate for Indigenous literacy, Anita has worked in remote communities as a role model and encouraging young Indigenous Australians to write their own stories. Anita is a board member of the State Library of Queensland, the University of Queensland Press and Circa. Anita is a Professor of Communications at the University of QLD and artist in residence at La Boite Theatre, adapting her novel Tiddas for the stage.
Anita enjoys eating chocolate, running half-marathons and being a ‘creative disruptor’.
Partners

delmetria millener
Partner
Literary activist, high school English teacher, literary commentator, freelance writer, and founder of #TeenWritersProject and #BrownTeensRead, delmetria millener understands the historical and cultural impact that literacy can have on teens.
Now, as an English teacher, millener also recognizes that teens have become disconnected from the generational pride that writing, reading, social and cultural literacy fostered. Her organizations use using writing opportunities, book clubs and literary-themed social events to reconnect teens to literacy and give them back the responsibility of storytelling that they are obligated to write.