Facilitators
The Young Writers' Endeavor runs on volunteer support so that young Baha'i writers around the world can continue to participate in the workshop for free!
_edited.jpg)
Nasim Mansuri
Co-Founder & Facilitator
Nasim Mansuri is a fiction writer, poet and journalist. Her work on entertainment, spirituality and community development has been published on Hypable.com, Tor. com, and BahaiTeachings.org (where she worked as editorial staff). Currently, she lives in Massachusetts and works as a freelance editor for journalists and novelists, as well as freelance technical writer. Oh, and she's also a food manufacturing plant engineering manager on the side. She has a BS in Chemical Engineering and Professional Writing, and she's engaged in establishing a strong junior youth and children's spiritual empowerment program with her local community. You can find out more on her website.
Nasim started the Young Writers' Endeavor in 2019 to learn more about how youth can combine their writing talent with the civilization-building vision of the Baha'i Faith.
Hope Taylor
Co-Founder
Prospects were bleak in 2019, when Nasim Mansuri sent out a cry for help on her Facebook wall, seeking support for the Young Writers' Endeavor. Entire hours had passed and the comment section remained a barren wasteland. One could say that, with a single comment to volunteer, a beacon of Hope emerged from the cyber heavens and changed the course of Nasim's story... Thus began the Young Writers' Endeavor.
On a serious note - Hope loves all arts but has a soft spot for poetry. She admires the creative capacity that young people have to move, inspire and share insights with others through their writing.
Jackson Jopling
Facilitator
Jackson has a BA (hons) degree in History with Theology and Philosophy. He is 100% British. Being from the south of the island, he's a Celtic descendant. His passion for writing comes from Cornish (homeland) landscapes, love of gothic fiction, comic books and poetry.
Jackson moved to Brazil in 2019 to pioneer after getting married to an amazing coastal Ecuadorian. He currently works as an English tutor teaching kids and adults in China, Taiwan and Japan. Since he moved to South America, he adopted two dogs and two cats: 2 Argentinians and 2 Brazilians to make a team and give some spice and love to life. Jackson joined to Young Writers' Endeavor after Hope Krummel visited him in Brazil and invited him to participate.
Ron Lapitan
Facilitator
Ron Lapitan is a junior youth animator and webcomic artist living in Virginia, US. His series, "A Baha'i Comic," explains Baha'i principles in short illustrations, and his series, "Ron's Baha'i Comics," features short comics about friends of different beliefs learning about their common values, or about the experience of Baha'i youth. Both can be found on Webtoon.com. He also wrote a book of short stories, "We Laughed: A Baha'i Youth's Diaries about Religion, Diversity, Change, & Growing Up."
Oliver Mavaddat-Rhys
Facilitator
Oliver Mavaddat-Rhys enjoys creative writing as well as composing music and has always been intrigued by the power of the arts. Before facilitating, he was a participant of YWE and was so grateful to the facilitators and guest artists and writers that he got to speak with through the course. He loves the conversations and collaborations that YWE can foster!
Oliver is from Cambridge, UK, and is studying History and Politics at Warwick University. He likes to explore themes of society, philosophy and culture -- especially ideas from different countries, traditions, and perspectives!
Layli Graham
Facilitator
Layli Graham started reading at age three, and isn't planning to stop anytime soon. An avid bookworm with a love for cardigans and Broadway musicals, Layli resides somewhere between the rolling cornfields and hectic metropolitan areas of Pennsylvania, US. As a strong believer in the power of the arts, most of her creative endeavors center around social commentary, inspiration from nature, and the teachings of the Baha'i Faith. The Young Writers’ Endeavor helped foster Layli’s love for writing, and she’s so grateful for this writing community and the wonderful people that have inspired her along the way. Writing will be a constant in whatever future career she pursues.
Layli spends her free time writing poems and stories, being with family and friends, and participating in various musical pursuits that include piano, guitar, and pit percussion in her school's marching band/drumline. Ever since her first time on a YWE call back in 2020, Layli has loved every second of being a part of this program, and hopes that she'll be able to grow even more as a facilitator in the coming years!
2023 Collaborators
The Young Writers' Endeavor is thankful to have the support of professional Baha'i writers who help us develop our curriculum and facilitate key events.
Liz Dwyer
Journalist
Liz Dwyer is a Los Angeles-based journalist, writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering parenting, education, and social justice. Her work has appeared in national websites and print publications, including New York Magazine, BuzzFeed, Huffington Post, Christian Science Monitor, Ebony, Angeleno, and Good Housekeeping. She was previously the managing editor for Shondaland.com and prior to that worked as the education and culture editor for TakePart.com. Before her career in media, Liz taught third grade in Compton, California and worked in the educational nonprofit sector. In her spare time she volunteers in schools, spends time with her sons, and listens to Depeche Mode.
Aaron Schmidt
Comic Author & Illustrator
Aaron Schmidt has been working in the field of animation, TV and film for over 19 years. Over the last 12 years Aaron has combined his love of art with his love of teaching. He taught animation at Mahidol University for 10 years. His most recent works include work on the short film “Prodigal” by director Tod Polson, 3D animation for a documentary on whale conservation in the Gulf of Thailand and production of a horror comic titled “Beasts and Children”.
Aaron feels the language of storytelling is one of the most powerful tools available to us humble humans. He is interested in storytelling in all its forms but is most passionate about visual storytelling.