We have local chapters across the United States and look forward to adding additional chapters in the years to follow. **To start a local chapter, you must first be an active member of RAWSISTAZ for at least six months. Contact us for more information.
ATLANTA (July 2003)
About Us: Our chapter is set up to promote and support African-American Authors. We are a small group, but dedicated to getting our R.A.W. on! In addition to the other missions and visions of the group, we are building lifetime friendships.
Meeting Times & Location: We meet on the fourth Saturday of the Month, and the location is selected by the hostess (normally held at one of our member’s house.)
Current Membership Status: By Invitation Only
A Few Tidbits: ATL-RAW is the first local chapter launched and was launched in July 2003. Since the RAWSISTAZ (Organization) Founder resides here, we are recognized as the RAWSISTAZ Headquarters.
Contact Info: Tee C. Royal (Chapter President) – tee@rawsistaz.com
YahooGroup: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ATL-RAWSISTAZ
NEW YORK (September 2003)
Contact Info: Diane Marbury – HonestD@rawsistaz.com
YahooGroup: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NY_RAWSISTAZ
CHICAGO (September 2003)
About Us: We started in October 2003. As with any other group, we’ve had our ups and downs. I think now we are on solid ground and have wonderful meetings. It is a time for us to come together once a month and see each other as well as discuss books and have good eat!
Meeting Times & Location: Chicago, IL
Current Membership Status: The last Saturday of the month at 2pm or Fridays at 7pm when we have Author Host Meetings. We normally meet in each others homes.
A Few Tidbits: We are working on being able to make donations once a quarter to a Black foundation for next year. We currently have a birthday club for our members.
Contact Info: Jacki (President) – Chi-Town-RAW-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
YahooGroup: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chi-Town-RAW
MEMPHIS (October 2003)
About Us: Memphis-RAW is an all women group who loves to bond by reading and sharing literary experiences as well as our day to day occurrences in life. We launched October 2003 with Alisha Yvonne as President and Dorothy Pettis as VP.
Meeting Times & Location: We meet the second Saturday of each month. Time and location is decided upon by the hostess. We are located in Memphis, Tennessee where all of our members currently live.
Current Membership Status: Open Membership
A Few Tidbits: Our group is comprised of local authors, aspiring writers, and inspirational speakers, all of whom are avid readers. Since the beginning, we’ve supported self-published and nationally known authors by buying books, hosting online chats, and by attending local signings in Memphis and nearby areas together. We’ve donated and held events which teach children the importance of reading, and we’ve also attended the annual RAWSISTAZ Affair as a group.
Contact Info: Alisha Yvonne (Chapter President) – alisha12003@yahoo.com
YahooGroup: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Memphis-RAW
NORTH CAROLINA PIEDMONT TRIAD (November 2003)
About Us: Fun, friendship and sisterhood are used when describing the NC Piedmont-Triad Chapter of RAW. We launched Nov 1, 2003 and have had a very rewarding year. Monthly themes help us to broaden our reading selections, as we don’t always end up reading the same genre of books. In the upcoming year we are looking to do things together outside of the bookclub such as attending plays, literary events and participating in community service projects. We also plan to get together for slumber parties, bowling, movies and shopping. Varying in ages and various backgrounds we all have one thing in common, and that’s our love of reading.
Meeting Times & Location: We are located in Greensboro NC, but service High Point and Winston-Salem as well.
Current Membership Status: Closed
Contact Info: Eraina Tinnin (Chapter President) – email:rainadana@aol.com
YahooGroup: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Piedmont-Triad_RAWSISTAZ
Website: http://ncrawsistaz.weebly.com
DETROIT RAWSISTAZ (January 2004)
About Us: We are a group of women from the Metro-Detroit area who love to read! Our individual reading interests are different which culminate into diverse monthly selections and engaging conversations.
Meeting Times & Location: We meet on the fourth Saturday at every month, usually at 7pm. The meetings take place either at a member’s home or at a restaurant chosen by the hostess.
Current Membership Status: Closed Membership
A Few Tidbits: Many of our group members also have writing aspirations. We currently have two published authors in the group with many more offerings in the works from our members.
Contact Info: Nedine Hunter (Chapter President) – msnjhunter@toast.net
Website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Detroit-RAWSISTAZ
NORTHERN VA (January 2004)
Contact Info: Stacey Seay (Chapter President) - stacey@rawsistaz.com
YahooGroup: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NoVA-RAWSISTAZ
LOS ANGELES, CA (Coming July 2009)