My name is Imade (ee-MAH-day) and I'm a Non-Fiction MFA student at Columbia University.

I was accepted to Vona Voices Workshop, a program for writers of color formed by the award winning author, Junot Diaz. I plan to attend their week 1 residency with David Mura on June 21-June 27.

HOWEVER, a $1,350 fee is required by June 1st. I will be graduating in May with almost $200K in students loans and no stable writing job. So I need your help. 

A dollar and a dream is all I ask. If enough people give a dollar or more, I know I can get to Miami. But this isn't just about money, it's about needing your help to get a story heard.

I'm working on my in progress book, Depressed While Black. I want to de-stigmitize mental illness, voice the treatment needs for African-Americans, and share my personal story of being diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder after driving on a Los Angeles freeway wanting to die. The ending to my book is much brighter than the beginning. I leave my "pray it away" ideology behind and find a therapist and get on medication. 

For a taste of my book, please read my Depressed While Black excerpt on Al-Jazeera+.

https://medium.com/aj-global-engagers/depression-cops-f75626f7364b