Quick recap
The meeting focused on the Hyde Park Writers Group’s transition to virtual gatherings and upcoming events. After resolving initial audio and video issues, Gerri Hudson introduced the group and asked participants to share their names, locations, and what they had learned from previous meetings.
Charity’s, Joy, and Gloria shared their experiences, emphasizing the social and creative value of the group. Wanda Carter introduced herself as the publisher of the Chicago Communicator News Media Service and described her work in remote broadcasting and television production. Gerri then led a discussion on the prompt “there’s no such thing as lie school, but everybody knows how to do it,” with participants sharing personal stories and reflections on truth, human nature, and the role of lying in society.
The group also discussed the upcoming “Words on Fire” Black History Month writing competition scheduled for February 12-13, 2027, and the pre-Thanksgiving bash on November 21 at the International Africa House in Harris Park. Participants shared memories of previous events and expressed their excitement for future gatherings. The conversation ended with closing remarks from several members, including Karen, Charity’s, Andre, Joy, and Gloria, who reflected on the importance of truth and the power of writers to influence the world.
Next steps
Gerri
- Reach out to attendees individually to ask what they want to contribute (drinks, desserts, utensils, sandwiches, etc.) for the pre-Thanksgiving bash.
- Contact attendees individually to get ideas for the February “Words on Fire” writing competition to make it fair and fun.
- Provide Wanda with a decent promotional piece/information to put up for the group.
Wanda
Collaboration
- Gerri and Wanda: Chat tonight or tomorrow to discuss how to move forward with the partnership and promotion.
- Gerri and Wanda: Discuss the financial/money details for the partnership.
Summary
Hyde Park Writers Group Meeting
The meeting began with technical difficulties as participants experienced audio and video connectivity issues, which Wanda eventually resolved. Gerri Hudson, the founder of the Hyde Park Writers Group, led the meeting and asked participants to introduce themselves, sharing their names, cities, and either their last learning experience at the group or expectations for the meeting. The group then engaged in a discussion prompted by Gerri about things people know how to do well but don’t learn in school, with participants including Wanda Carter, Charity Loving, Joy, and Gloria sharing their thoughts on topics like truth-telling and honesty.
Natural Instincts and Truth-Telling
The group discussed the concept of “there’s no such thing as bad school, but everybody knows how to do it.” Charity shared that people are born with natural instincts for self-defense and protection, which are learned at home before formal education begins. The discussion then evolved into reflections on truth-telling and the consequences of lying, with participants noting how comfortable some people have become with lying, particularly at high levels of power. When Andre joined the meeting, he mentioned being interested in fiction writing but struggling with discipline to write regularly, though he has an active imagination.
Words on Fire Writing Competition
The group discussed their upcoming “Words on Fire” Black History Month writing competition scheduled for February 12-13, 2027, which will start with 25 writers and culminate in five winners. Several participants, including Charity and Karen, shared their positive experiences from previous writing competitions, emphasizing the creative aspects and community building. The discussion touched on the power of words to impact society, with references to historical figures like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, and concluded with reflections on the current political climate and the importance of truth-telling through writing.
High Park Writers Group Meeting
The meeting focused on upcoming events and technology adoption within the High Park Writers Group. Gerri announced a pre-Thanksgiving bash scheduled for November 21st at Harris Park, where participants will help plan the February contest and discuss ideas to make it more engaging. The group discussed the importance of embracing technology, particularly AI, with Gerri sharing her success in teaching AI to people from various backgrounds, including seniors. Joy mentioned having the contest video on her YouTube channel, and Wanda discussed returning to CAN-TV to produce content after learning they were still operational despite previous closures.
Pre-Thanksgiving Bash Planning Meeting
The meeting covered plans for an upcoming pre-Thanksgiving bash on November 21st at Harris Park’s International Africa House, where attendees will bring drinks, desserts, utensils, sandwiches, and Hawaiian salad. Gerri announced that everyone will receive a t-shirt at year-end and must contribute $20. The group discussed their previous pre-Thanksgiving event, with Charity sharing positive memories about the food and atmosphere. The meeting also touched on AI education, with Charity expressing interest in learning more about AI to address concerns about its impact on society.
Flagship Event Planning Discussion
Gerri discussed plans for an upcoming February flagship event and a pre-Thanksgiving bash involving at least 25 writers, asking team members to share their ideas and contributions. Wanda explained that being part of the group would help bring attention to independent writers and promote growth through increased visibility across platforms. The team also had a discussion about lies and truth, where Andre proposed that lies are inherently connected to truth, leading to a broader conversation about the relationship between deception and reality.
Discussion on Truth and Integrity
The meeting focused on a discussion about truth and integrity, with participants sharing closing statements on this theme. Charity emphasized the importance of practicing integrity while acknowledging that she might lie if necessary, while Andre discussed how individuals and society have both personal and common truths. Gloria spoke about the positive feeling of walking in truth and honesty, and Wanda expressed gratitude for being invited to the forum. After the main discussion, Gerri and Wanda had a brief conversation about future plans for promoting and organizing similar events.
