Cave Canem fellow and Affrilachian poet, Amanda Johnston has performed nationally for various causes and events. Honors include a 2003 and 2004 Artist Enrichment grant from the Kentucky Foundation for Women and the 2005 Austin International Poetry Festival's Christina Sergeyevna Award. Johnston has served on the board of directors for the National Women's Alliance and the Kentucky Women Writers Conference. Currently, she is an ensemble member of The Austin Project Performance Company (TAPPCo), the founder/executive director of Torch Literary Arts, and editor of TORCH: poetry, prose, and short stories by African American Women. www.torchliteraryarts.org