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About Nzima

Nzima S. Hutchings is a prominent figure in the literary world, currently serving as the Enfield, Connecticut Poet Laureate for 2023 to 2025. She is a passionate teaching artist with a wealth of experience engaging students across various age groups, from elementary children to college students. Nzima's teaching career includes roles at institutions such as the Art Academy in Hartford, Actup Theater Arts Academy, Buckley High School, and organizations like the Village for Families and Children and Asnuntuck Community College’s Children's Reading Room. As an affiliate and facilitator leader with Amherst Writers & Artists, Nzima promotes creativity and self-expression through her literary and poetry workshops. By utilizing the AWA method, Nzima creates a creative and empowering space for writers.
This approach helps individuals explore their potential, build confidence, and express themselves freely. She conducts sessions at Toivo Holistic Wellness Centers, Mount Holyoke College, Wesleyan University, and through her company, Every Kinda Lady LLC. These workshops are crafted to empower individuals and enhance literacy through poetic exploration. Nzima is the visionary founder of Hartford’s Literary Integrated Trailblazers (Hartford’s L.I.T.) and the Hartford Book Festival, both of which have significantly contributed to the Greater Hartford area's cultural landscape since 2019. Through Every Kinda Lady LLC, she assists women in using writing as a means for healing and creating a lasting legacy. Nzima S. Hutchings' mission is to amplify the uninhibited voices of women and teen girls, supporting their journey towards whole-person wellness. Her work focuses on empowering women through a range of literary productions, workshops, publications, and diverse platforms. She employs various writing forms, therapeutic journaling, and sensory art mediums to teach women how to use writing as a tool for personal well-being. Nzima aims to help them build and create safe spaces where they can share their narratives openly and authentically. Her recent collaboration and publishing a book for Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence highlights her dedication to meaningful and transformative initiatives. An acclaimed poet and bestselling author, Nzima’s work appears in the Freshwater Poetry Journal and Every Kinda Lady and Her Sisters Pages Anthology. She has judged notable poetry contests, including the Annual MLK Slam at Yale University and the Enfield Public School District’s national competition. Beyond her literary accomplishments, Nzima serves on the board of the Enfield Cultural Arts Commission and acts as the Cultural Literary Arts Advisor for the Ujima African American Alliance. Her roles as a Certified Sexual Assault Counselor, Certified CT RSS, and Alternative to Suicide Facilitator reflect her commitment to holistic wellness and community support. In Springfield, Massachusetts, Nzima is also on the board of A Queen's Narrative, where she mentors and leads workshops that elevate youth voices through poetry and visual art. Her efforts foster classroom and social confidence, aiding young people in developing both academic and personal self-assurance. Nzima has authored several books and journals, including those specifically for youth, aimed at inspiring and engaging young readers with tools for self-expression and growth. Her role as the host and curator of NPCS (Nzima's Poetry Cafe Show), aired on Cox Public Access, further demonstrates her dedication to fostering artistic expression and community engagement. Through her virtual writing room cafe workshops and other projects, Nzima continues to uplift and inspire individuals, particularly youth, through the transformative power of words, CVC and sight words, embodying the belief that creativity is essential for personal and communal development. As an artist advocate, Nzima S. Hutchings champions active self-acceptance and personal growth. She utilizes storytelling through generative, expressive, and narrative writing to inspire connections with text, the world, and broader positive influences. Nzima’s approach encourages individuals to explore their own stories and voices, fostering a deeper understanding and acceptance of themselves while engaging meaningfully with the world around them. Nzima S. Hutchings earned her bachelor's degree from Springfield College. In addition, she is a proud recipient of the Independent Artist Grant and receiving 100 women of Color.

Grade Levels

1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5

Art Forms

Theater

Curriculum Focuses

English Language Arts

Program Formats

In-School Workshop

Programs