By Rachel James-Terry
Jackson State University has added two dynamic literary talents to its Department of English and Modern Languages: Dr. Kelly Norman Ellis, visiting associate professor of English and creative writing, and Sefi Atta, distinguished writer-in-residence for the 2024-2025 academic year.
From Chicago back to Jackson, a homecoming
Dr. Kelly Norman Ellis, who has journeyed back from the busy streets of Chicago, is excited to return to her roots in Jackson, Mississippi—where fried pan trout is a delicacy, and the sounds of the Sonic Boom of the South reverberate down Lynch State.
If her name rings a bell, it is no coincidence—she is none other than the granddaughter of T.B. Ellis Jr. and Lucinda Ellis. Yes, “that” T.B. Ellis, whose name graces the Jackson State gymnasium.
“I feel so fortunate to be back home. This campus is the setting of so many of my childhood memories. Everywhere I look, I see myself as a girl. Two of my aunts lived in Alexander Hall, and I visited them frequently. I spent summers in the summer sports program where my cousins and I learned gymnastics and tennis, among other things. I can see my grandfather walking the campus. And, of course, the Sonic Boom of the South is the soundtrack of Saturday football games. I hope I am able to assist my students in finding their voices as writers and thinkers. JSU is a warm and lovely place to find your voice,” she said.
Ellis is not just a storyteller; she’s an accomplished poet and author. Her works include “Tougaloo Blues” (2003) and “Offerings of Desire” (2012). Her poetry has been featured in various publications such as Essence Magazine, Obsidian, and Cornbread Nation. A recipient of multiple honors, including a grant from the Kentucky Foundation for Women Writers, she is also a founding member of the Affrilachian Poets, a grassroots group of poets of color living in the Appalachian region.
Ellis is a faculty member at Chicago State University, but right now, as JSU’s visiting professor, she is here to inspire the next generation of creatives.
From Lagos to Jackson, a literary global journey
Internationally acclaimed writer Sefi Atta is bringing some global flair to Jackson State straight from Lagos, Nigeria. Atta is a world traveler with one foot in Nigeria, another in the UK, and another in the United States. If that is not enough, she qualified as a chartered accountant in England, a certified public accountant in the United States, and a certified creative powerhouse.
Holding a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing, Atta has garnered numerous accolades, including the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa and the Noma Award for Publishing in Africa. She was also a juror for the 2010 Neustadt International Prize for Literature. In 2015, Cambria Press published a critical study of her novels and short stories, “Writing Contemporary Nigeria: How Sefi Atta Illuminates African Culture and Tradition”.
“I’m delighted and honored to join the Jackson State University community as the JSU writer-in-residence for the 2024-2025 academic year. I look forward to interacting with students and colleagues of the Department of English and Modern Languages. So far, it has been an enriching and inspiring experience, for which I am thankful to Dr. Ebony Lumumba and the selection committee,” Atta said.
Atta’s impressive catalog includes six novels, a short-story collection and a play collection, with her works receiving international acclaim. Her novel, “Swallow,” even made its way onto the screen as a Netflix film in 2021. As both a playwright and novelist, she has highlighted African culture and tradition through her words, captivating audiences worldwide.
We invite the entire JSU community to join us in welcoming Dr. Kelly Norman Ellis and Sefi Atta and look forward to a year filled with the power of words and imagination.