Keynotes | Workshops | Coaching
Centering Belonging Through Storytelling​

About Freda Epum

Freda Epum is a Nigerian-American writer, speaker, and cultural strategist whose work explores Black mental health, chronic illness, and the politics of identity, healing, and migration. Her debut memoir, The Gloomy Girl Variety Show, was published by Feminist Press and blends memoir, criticism, and autotheory. Freda has spoken at over 30 institutions, including AWP, Tin House, and Public Allies. She offers trauma-informed storytelling, creative and leadership coaching, and thought partnership grounded in disability justice and diasporic belonging.

You can book Freda for keynotes, readings, workshops, or personalized feedback sessions at your university, company, or organization!

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Speaking & Workshop Offerings

Gloomy Girls & Glory: Black Mental Health as Creative Power​

Diasporic Shame & Creative Belonging​

“Write the Real”: A Generative Memoir Workshop

Narrative Healing: Writing the Body Through Illness, Shame & Recovery

Liberated Author Strategy Lab (for debut authors + scholars)​

Creative Survival: Art, Pacing & Anti-Burnout Systems for Creators

... and custom offerings are available on request!

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Thought Partnership & Consulting

• Strategic support for writers, journalists, and creators
• Equity-centered narrative design for nonprofits, hospitals, and health tech
• Creative economy advising for fellowships, residencies, and arts organizations
• Organizational development grounded in race, migration, and mental health

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​Ideal Partners & Clients

• Universities: DEI, creative writing, disability studies, student life, diaspora studies
• Hospitals + Health Tech: narrative medicine, equity strategy, trauma-informed design
• Internet & Tech Companies: speaker series, wellness events, creative strategy
• Creative Economy + Fellowships: residencies, workshops, cohort facilitation
• Media + Publishing: journalist thought partnership, content strategy
• Philanthropy + Nonprofits: race, disability justice, mental health programming

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Selected Speaking & Consulting Clients

• Association of Writers & Writing Programs
• Tin House
• Public Allies​ ​
• Miami University
• ​Call & Response Books 
• ​Surdna Foundation
  

• University of Rochester
• Feminist Press
• University of Cincinnati​ ​
• University of Arizona
• Beech Acres Parenting Center
• ​Kresge Foundation
  

• Art Academy of Cincinnati 

• Tucson Festival of Books
• Columbia University School of Journalism  ​
• The Writer's Center 
• MORTAR Entrepreneurship Academy

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See Freda in action

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