NEWS
Local Renaissance Woman Prepares for Artist Residency in French Countryside
Author, artist, dancer, healthcare tech strategist and single mom plans for uninterrupted creative time after deferring residency due to pandemic
CHICAGO April 11, 2021 – Octavia Reese is a renaissance woman: a professional informaticist as well as
an artistic creative. In 2019, she applied for an artist in residence program at Chateau d’Orquevaux in France, and won the Denis Diderot AiR (artist in residence) Grant along with a coveted place amongst other talented artists. While Octavia planned to spend two weeks abroad in the summer of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic closed borders and halted Octavia’s dream excursion.
‘It’s OK to have a bad day’: The challenge of motherhood during the pandemic
By Holly Honderich, Angelica Casas & Cache McClay
BBC News, Washington
When the coronavirus outbreak arrived in the United States, families were forced to adapt. Office closures have collided with shuttered schools, forcing parents to work from home as they balance full-time childcare and part-time teaching, helping their kids with remote learning.
Kamala Harris speech: What was the verdict on how she did?
‘Harris will fight for us’
A single mother to three boys, Ms Reese was “thrilled” by the news last week that Kamala Harris would serve as Joe Biden’s running mate.
“Kamala has been a superpower in our government, not only showing the world what strong ambitious women of colour can do for our communities, but also speaking up for the voiceless within the justice system and in service.”
For 37-year-old Reese – an author, healthcare worker, and a black woman – Harris’s speech tonight showed her “a woman connected to people”.
“Tonight, we saw a vulnerable human being with a heart, with compassion, with character,” she said. “This is a key component we have been missing in the White House and that wasn’t lost.
“She didn’t hit hard on the politics because people are exhausted – we want to know someone who cares about others, sees people, and will fight for human beings first [and] will be leading the country into the future.”
Maxim Covergirl Competition 2020
Release – Maxim Covergirl 7-20-2020
CHICAGO, July 20, 2020 – South sider Octavia Reese, Principal Epic Trainer at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, author, cellist, and single mom of three boys is competing for Maxim Covergirl 2020 and $25,000. The competition, which began in May, features thousands of models from around the world, and Octavia has now advanced to the semi-finals. From July 20 to July 30 Octavia is up against seven other women competing for the title, the cash, and the springboard into the world of modeling and entertainment. Octavia has to place first in her group to advance to the Final Eight.
Detroit Book Fest 2019
Former Miss Michigan returns to hometown with fourth book in SFF series
Release – Detroit Book Fest 7-15-2019
Wakandacon 2019
July 26, 2020 CHICAGO – Rena Baron, Tephra Miriam and Octavia Reese host panel discussing World Building for Black SFF.
Photos from the First-Ever Wakandacon
Cosplayers, many dressed as black superheroes, flocked to the
three-day celebration of Afrofuturism and all things Black Panther.
WAKANDACON WAS BLERD REPRESENTATION AT ITS FINEST
First-ever Wakandacon celebrates black creativity, diversity
Release – Wakandacon 2018 – 7-31-2018
LOCAL AUTHOR AND TEEN ARTIST PARTNER TO INSPIRE GIRLS WITH SCI-FI SERIES AT FIRST ANNUAL WAKANDACON
Former Miss America contestant writes brown girls into the spotlight; 9th grader illustrates
Release – Feminist Chicago author joins discussion panel for Tony Award-winning musical Fun Home in Grand Rapids 7-24-2018
CHICAGO AUTHOR JOINS DISCUSSION PANEL FOR TONY-WINNING MUSICAL
Author Octavia Reese discusses feminism, family and LGBTQ issues in Grand Rapids production of Fun Home
Former Miss Michigan sends message to young girls through new book series
July 15 2018 WXYZ Channel 7 DETROIT
https://www.wxyz.com/news/former-miss-michigan-sends-message-to-young-girls-through-new-book-series
Miss America drops swimsuit portion and won’t judge on looks
June 5 2018 ABC7 Chicago
http://abc7chicago.com/society/miss-america-drops-swimsuit-portion-and-wont-judge-on-looks/3565732/
Release – Detroit Book Fest 7-15-2018
FORMER MISS MICHIGAN RETURNS TO DETROIT TO INSPIRE GIRLS WITH BINGE-WORTHY SCI-FI SERIES AT DETROIT BOOK FEST
Independent author and former pageant queen aims to redefine how young women of color set expectations for themselves
Meet Octavia Reese
May 1 2018
General Press Kit – Introducing The Hibouleans Vol 1
- press release
- key themes:
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- about The Hibouleans
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- about Volume 1
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- about the author
- sample chapters
Octavia Reese 