Flip The Script Publishing

05/09/2026

A powerful new anthology celebrating the life, legacy, and enduring influence of acclaimed poet Nikki Giovanni will officially debut during a special release event hosted at the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, a site deeply connected to Giovanni’s early life and literary roots.

Taking place the weekend of June 26–28, 2026 (with a condensed one-day signature event option on June 27), this gathering will bring together poets, artists, scholars, and community members for an immersive cultural experience honoring Giovanni as both literary icon and ancestral voice.

Event Highlights Include:

- Featured readings from anthology contributors

- A curated showcase of visual art and photography from the collection

- A guided tour of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, including Giovanni’s personal library

- Community open mic honoring Giovanni’s work and influence

- Screening selections from the documentary Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project w/panel discussion

- Book sales and signings, including pre-orders for Volumes Two and Three

“This event is not just a book release—it is a homecoming, a celebration, and a collective offering.” - Monalisa D. Moody, Founder & Editor, Flip The Script Publishing

"Nikki belongs to all, and as such, she is the beloved daughter of the world. Even so, for us here in our little Knoxville, she is our beloved native daughter." - Rev.
Renee' Kesler, President, Beck Cultural Exchange Center and Historian of African American History, City of
Knoxville

The Beck Cultural Exchange Center—long recognized as a cornerstone of African American history and culture in East Tennessee—will serve as the central hub for the weekend’s events. Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage with the cultural landscape that helped shape Giovanni’s voice, including optional visits to historic sites connected to her family and upbringing.

This event is open to the public, with additional details on programming, featured guests, and registration to be announced.

05/04/2026

Thanks for being a top engager and making it on to my weekly engagement list! 🎉

Wendy Isom Mercer, Shanna Tanika Melton, Jasmyne K. Rogers

05/02/2026

Matte or Glossy?

Coming June ‘26 🙌🏽✨🙌🏽

05/01/2026

Pre-Order Sale Ends Saturday! Grab your copy today! https://www.flipthescriptpublishing.com/darling-nikki -mhqmt50n

04/28/2026

Located in the vibrant Atlanta Metropolitan area, Flip The Script Publishing is an independent publishing house dedicated to uplifting and empowering voices from all walks of life. We believe in the power of stories to connect, inspire, and transform. Our mission is to showcase diverse narratives that reflect the full spectrum of human experience—stories that evoke hope, spark creativity, and ignite meaningful conversations.
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At Flip The Script, we focus on stories that matter—from heartwarming tales to thought-provoking dialogues. We want to feature narratives that not only entertain, but also challenge, uplift, and stir the soul. Whether it’s through a moment of laughter, a tearful revelation, or a journey of resilience, our goal is to publish work that resonates deeply with readers and leaves a lasting impact.

04/27/2026

Thank you for being a part of the vision. Nikki would be honored. 🙏🏽

04/25/2026

04/23/2026

The wait is over ✨

We’re proud to reveal the official cover and contributor lineup for Volume One of Darling Nikki: An Anthology of Creative Works Dedicated to the Memory of Nikki Giovanni.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this historic publication. ✨

🔗 Pre-Order sale now through 5/2. Book ships June ‘26. Link in BIO or visit us online at FlipTheScriptPublishing.com.

Stay tuned for more coming soon!

04/03/2026

Happy National Poetry Month! ✨📖🖋️

We greet you with exciting news...

Due to the volume and brilliance of submissions received for DARLING NIKKI: An Anthology of Creative Works Dedicated to the Memory of Nikki Giovanni— the anthology will now be released as an anthology series!

To fully honor this incredible body of work, the release for Volume I will be in June—a month that holds deep meaning as we celebrate Nikki’s birth and enduring impact.

But the celebration starts NOW.

All month long, stay tuned for:

🖋️ The Volume I cover reveal which features powerful artwork contributed by an organization rooted in activism—a beautiful alignment with Nikki’s spirit and legacy.

🖋️ An official announcement of Volume I’s foreword writer—a powerful and influential literary voice whose presence affirms the depth of this work.

🖋️ Spotlights of select works from the anthology.

🖋️ Preorders for Volume I will open.

And last but far from least, we will be sharing plans for the anthology’s ✨ OFFICIAL RELEASE EVENT ✨ slated to take place in Knoxville, Tennessee!


This is more than a book—it’s a movement. A tribute. A legacy in motion.

Stay tuned...

“I hope I die warmed by the life I tried to live." - Nikki Giovanni





Flip The Script Publishing is an independent publishing house dedicated to uplifting and empowering voices from all walks of life. We are more than just a publishing house—we are a movement to flip the script on what stories can do.

02/01/2026

COMMISSIONS ARE OPEN!
I’m now accepting a limited number of commissions for original, custom artwork. All proceeds will go to funding for study abroad as well as my senior thesis project.
Pricing ranges from $75-$350, depending on size, materials, level of detail, and time invested in the piece.
Each commission is created with intention and care and is treated with the same seriousness as my exhibition work.

Please understand that pricing reflects not only the finished artwork, but also the labor, materials, and creative process behind it.

Shipping is not included and will be calculated separately based on size and destination.

A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to begin, with the remaining balance due upon completion.

If you’re interested, please DM with your idea, preferred size, and location.

Serious inquiries only, and thank you to everyone who continues to support my work and respect the value of artists.

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Joshua “Ray” Branch-Howell is an emerging multimedia artist from Hopewell, VA, raised in the Petersburg/Chesterfield area. His work is inspired by music, social commentary and emotional truth, blending African diasporic influence with a modern, experimental style. Ray has shown his art in exhibitions across the East Coast, including in New Jersey, Louisiana, and Richmond, VA. He works in printmaking, mixed media, and painting, often exploring themes of identity, sound, and social issues. Ray is currently pursuing a BFA in Visual Arts at Virginia State University, and is expected to graduate in the spring of 2026.

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“Portrait of Nikki Giovanni”(January’25) oil on canvas will be featured in the forthcoming anthology “Darling Nikki: An anthology of creative works dedicated to the memory of Nikki Giovanni”

01/25/2026

Drowning In The Open: A Final Letter To Our Brothers

Every day, 100 men in the U.S. die by su***de, and many more deal with mental health challenges.

We are all in our own swimming pools with life’s inputs, conditioning, and pressures. Sometimes we are swimming along just fine, and at other times, we may be drowning without anyone realizing (including ourselves). Men’s inner struggles are often misunderstood, and there aren’t many clear ways to get and accept help.

This spoken word album and movement offers a life raft for men to feel heard, get tools to internally “swim,” and find community support. It does so while using powerful metaphors to help others better understand men’s internal battles.

In Nikki Giovanni’s final recorded work, she leaves a potent letter to men: your well-being matters too. Jordan “Dxtr” Holmes uses his own journey from drowning with his mental health struggles to thriving, to bring other men up with him.

LINK 2 ALBUM:
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Jordan “Dxtr Spits” Holmes is an internationally recognized spoken word artist, keynote speaker, and trauma-informed life coach who teaches people how to swim (internally) with skill through life’s turbulent waters. Drawing on a decade as a corporate engineer, founding the men’s wellness initiative How Men Cry, and his own battle with intense mental health issues, Holmes believes our wellness must be preserved before it’s too late, and we find ourselves drowning. Holmes has performed internationally from Sofar Sounds in London to the U.S. Embassy in Ghana alongside his mentors Nikki Giovanni and Kwame Alexander.
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“Nikki Taught Me” is an original piece written for the forthcoming anthology “Darling Nikki: An anthology of creative works dedicated to the memory of Nikki Giovanni”