Nora Rodriguez Camagna is one of 916 Ink’s most tenured Wordslingers. She grew up in the California Migrant Labor Camps, Texas and Mexico and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley. As a child, it was her Abuelita Arsenia’s storytelling under their backyard cherry tree that kept her connected to her families’ life in Mexico and inspired her to become a writer. Her amazing public-school teachers also inspired Nora by introducing her to the magical world of books. Nora’s work has been featured at The Bay Area Book Festival and Stories on Stage Sacramento. Nora’s personal essay, Boysenberry Girls, will be published in The Common literary magazine as part of their farmworker stories portfolio. Nora is working on a novel and short story collection about her Mexican American experience. One of her favorite things about 916 Ink is the opportunity to teach creative writing to underrepresented students in Sacramento and inspiring them to recognize that their imaginations have no borders.

Velvet McKenzie is a Wordslinger that does what many of the cool, nay introverted, folks do: write poetry and hug cats. Originally from Nevada City, CA, she moved to Sacramento to study English Literature and hug more cats. She began as a local trauma medical journalist, but soon detoured into poetry and fiction writing after taking her first creative writing college course in 2013. She worked as Editor-in-Chief for the American River Review, which later published four of her poems. Her closed-form poem won the Gold Circle Crown Award from Columbia University Scholastic Press in 2014. She also worked as Co-Executive Editor for the Calaveras Station Arts and Literary Journal before becoming a private creative writing tutor to web-based students all over California. Two of her greatest passions are teaching creative writing to students whose voices need to be heard, as well as rescuing, fostering, and rehabilitating animals until proper homes can be found or wild-release can be accomplished.

Reyna Atilano has dedicated most of her adult life to community work. Her leadership skills have taken her through the CCC and the City of Sacramento YPCE and finally landed her here at 916 Ink, where she gets to utilize her passion for community in a whole new way. In her off time she loves spending time with her dog Leo, cooking, spontaneous road trips with friends, and mochi donuts.

Maya Aoun, is a Wordslinger with 916 Ink. She grew up in Sacramento and loved being involved in creative arts programs. Maya received her BA in Art and Education at UC Santa Cruz and worked for an after-school program for four years before moving back to Sacramento. She is passionate about literacy, and about inspiring all students to pursue creative expression.

Elisa Rancaño has two loves in life: food and her dog…Oh, and her husband… And mom! Can’t forget Mom. And the rest of her family and friends. Also nature, board games, and crossword puzzles. Birdwatching, too. So, actually Elisa has many loves; too many to list here. She grew up in Modesto, went to undergrad at UC Santa Cruz, got a teaching credential at Fresno State, then landed in Sacramento where she is back in school at Sac State. Elisa also loves school. She believes literacy is power. She reads everyday and writes frequently. She is excited to share her love of the written word with Sac youth and help empower a new generation of creators

Katie Tat is a Wordslinger with 916 Ink. She started as a 916 Ink student in 2015. The Find Your Voice class encouraged her to finish high school. After that she began volunteering as a peer mentor. Growing up she was always surrounded by books and began writing her own stories on the computer starting at the age of seven. Katie is pursuing her B.A. in education at CSU Sacramento. Outside of class you can find her playing with her bunny Felix.

Lindsay Bennett is a Wordslinger with 916 Ink's Find Your Voice program. Lindsay returned to her hometown of Sacramento after a decade in Georgia, where she worked a lot, ran a lot, and birthed two babies. Lindsay loves to travel almost as much as she loves to read and write. She and her family love taking road trips up and down the “Left Coast," especially when they can bring their beloved Australian shepherd with them.

Professionally, Lindsay is a human rights lawyer and freelance writer. In her writing life, Lindsay focuses mostly on personal essays and opinion pieces. In between lawyering and taxiing her kids to school and various sporting events, Lindsay is working towards her master's in creative writing.

Margee Burch is a prize-winning and published author, former foster parent, and credentialed teacher. After a diverse career path that included politics, law, nonprofit administration, housing, and interfaith organizing, she has settled on professionally pursuing her passion for teaching and writing. Margee returned to her hometown because she loves the river, trees, and public education system that Sacramento has to offer. She hopes one day to be mistaken for Ms. Frizzle, be as wise as her grandmother-in-law, and live in a world where everyone’s story can be heard and appreciated.

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