NPR Journalist Natalie Y. Moore to Serve as Keynote Speaker at the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Writers Festival at Prairie State College

November 05, 2025

Skyway Writers CompetitionSkyway Writers Competition

Prairie State College (PSC) will host the annual Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Writers Competition and Festival on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from noon to 5 p.m. in the PSC Conference Center.

The festival will feature National Public Radio (NPR) journalist and author Natalie Y. Moore as keynote speaker. She will deliver her address at 4 p.m. Moore, an award-winning reporter for WBEZ Chicago, is widely recognized for her coverage of race, housing, and economic development. Her acclaimed book The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation received the 2016 Chicago Review of Books award for nonfiction and was named one of Buzzfeed’s best nonfiction books of the year.

Students from eight Skyway institutions submitted original work in drama/screenplay, nonfiction, poetry, and fiction categories for this year’s competition. Along with student readings and awards, the festival will include workshops, an open mic, and networking opportunities for emerging writers.

Judges include: 

  • Poetry | Jacob Boyd teaches at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay. His forthcoming book No Lost Feast (Cornerstone Press, 2025) follows his chapbook My National Parks, which won the Midwest Writing Center award. His work has appeared in Blackbird, Cutleaf, and Poetry Daily.
  • Nonfiction | Geoffrey (Geoff) Brown is a veteran journalist and retired Chicago Tribune editor. His career includes roles as national/foreign news editor and associate managing editor for entertainment and lifestyle/features.
  • Fiction | Bayo Ojikutu is the author of 47th Street Black and Free Burning. His work has been recognized by the Pushcart Prize, PEN/Beyond Margins, and the African-American Literary Alliance. A Bloom Township graduate, Ojikutu teaches and writes in the Chicagoland area.
  • Drama/Screenplay | Lucky Ray is an actress, poet, and author of Dear Black People: You Are Loved. Her acting credits include Chicago Fire and The Equalizer. Her second poetry collection will be released in November 2025.

About the Festival

The Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Writers Competition and Festival celebrates student creativity, bringing together writers from community colleges across the region. The event provides opportunities to showcase original work, learn from industry professionals, and connect with peers.

Event Details

For more information, contact Juanita V. Wyatt at studentengagement@prairiestate.edu.