Today we’d like to introduce you to Kalin Thomas.
Kalin, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I come from a journalism/broadcasting background, having worked as a producer and on-air reporter for CNN for 17 years. I started in news but ended in the features department where I produced and reported stories for the weekly travel & tourism show, CNN TravelNow. During that time, I traveled to six continents, including Antarctica. After being laid off by CNN, I started my own multimedia production company, See the World Productions, where I wrote and voiced promotional videos for corporate clients, schools and nonprofits; as well as did print and broadcast stories for various media. During that time I did a story on The Wren’s Nest for Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters. I couldn’t believe I didn’t know about this hidden Atlanta gem and wanted to get involved. I eventually became a volunteer writing mentor for their Scribes program at Brown Middle School. Then when I found out they were looking for a new program director, I applied and got the job! This job merges my passions for writing, tourism, African American heritage and historic preservation.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest challenge is getting consistent funding and getting consistent volunteer mentors for our student writing programs.
Please tell us about The Wren’s Nest.
The Wren’s Nest is Atlanta’s oldest house museum, which first opened in 1913. It is the home of author, Joel Chandler Harris who compiled the Brer Rabbit folktales he heard from the enslaved people on the plantation where he worked as a teen during the Civil War. His preservation of those folktales helped revolutionize children’s literature and helped legitimize African American folklore.
We offer tours of the house, which is mostly decorated as it was when Harris lived here until his death in 1908. We also have storytelling of the Brer Rabbit folktales on Saturdays at 1 p.m. — our most popular day for visitors. During the summer we also host several festivals in our large backyard, including our JazzMatters music series and the Reggae Festival & Health Fair. We’re also on the annual West End Tour of Homes and have future plans to host a storytelling festival and a summer writing bootcamp.
As program director, I run the Scribes student writing program at our community schools, Brown Middle School and KIPP STRIVE Academy. Each year I give the students a new theme to write creative fiction stories and then we publish those stories in a book. The students then host a book launch and book signing. The KIPP Scribes host their book launch at the Decatur Book Festival — the largest independent book festival in the United States. What sets us apart from other nonprofits, is that we are one of a handful of organizations that produces young published authors. We’re very proud of our mission to preserve the legacy of Harris and the heritage of African American folklore, as well as helping young writers to tell their own stories.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Some of my favorite childhood memories are of my parents giving us great birthday parties and making a big deal out of every holiday with lots of decorations and gifts, our annual summer family vacation to Atlantic City (when it was still a family destination, before the casinos), and just living in a neighborhood where everybody knew each other and parents looked out for each other’s children.
Pricing:
- Adults – $9
- Seniors and Teens (13 – 19) $8
- Children (5 – 12) $6
- Children (under 5) – Free
Contact Info:
- Address: 1050 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd., S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30310 - Website: www.wrensnest.org
- Phone: 404-753-7735
- Email: kalin@wrensnest.org
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