Still Waters Collective (SWC) applies the craft of creative writing and the art of spoken word to build community, capacity and confidence.

SWC began as an adult open mic at a Milwaukee nightclub called Mecca in the year 2000. From four poets standing sharing their work around a tall cocktail table, the historic Still Waters series grew to a weekly institution that nurtured a community for more than a decade.

As an established writer and performer, SWC Founder and creative change agent, Dasha Kelly, deepened this work with specialized projects in schools and organizations. Tailored for exciting young people about their own ideas, voice, individuality and agency, Dasha created a constellation of workshops, afterschool projects, and special event series.

Noticing a gap in arts and humanities programming for young people, in 2008 SWC prioritized developing and uplifting youth voices. Cultivating a literary community of young people, SWC went on to deliver programming to more than three dozen schools a year for nearly a decade. Offering an array of employment, leadership development, and career training opportunties, SWC saw these young people through the next decade of their lives and beyond.

Today, Still Waters Collective continues these efforts by providing opportunities for all people to experience the power of words as a tool for connection, advocacy, and healing.

The future of Still Waters is to continue gathering our best ideas and selves around pages and stages, invigorating in us all the habit of listening AND being heard.

Board of Directors
Deaduri Gales
Jeff MacAlister
Julie Schumann
Robin Harris