Carolyn Holbrook is a writer, educator, and an advocate for the healing power of the arts. Her memoir in essays, Tell Me Your Names and I Will Testify (Minn2020), won the 2021 Minnesota Book Award for Memoir and Creative Nonfiction. She is founder and director of More Than a Single Story https://morethanasinglestory.com/ She is co-editor with David Mura of the anthology, We Are Meant to Rise: Voices for Justice from Minneapolis to the World (Minn & More Than a Single Story 2021), author of a chapbook, Earth Angels (Spout Press 2020), and is co-author with Arleta Little of MN civil rights icon, Dr. Josie R. Johnson’s memoir, Hope In the Struggle (Minn 2019). Her nonfiction book, Ordinary People, Extraordinary Journeys: How the St. Paul Companies Leadership Initiatives in Neighborhoods Program Changed Lives and Communities was published in 2015. She was Contributing Editor, Water~Stone Review, Vol. 24, 2021-2022. Her essays have appeared in numerous anthologies including Blues Vision: African American Writing from Minnesota (MNHS 2015) and A Good Time for the Truth: Race in Minnesota (MNHS 2016). Her TEDx talk “The Life you Live is the Legacy You will Leave” was presented at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN in 2022. She has been the recipient of numerous grants, fellowships and awards including the Minnesota Book Awards Kay Sexton Award, 2010; Hamline University Exemplary Teacher, 2014; 50 over 50, 2017; Celebrate the Sistas, 2020; Flowers Now!, 2024; and is the 2025 McKnight Distinguished Artist. She holds a Ph.D. in Creative Writing and Creative Arts Leadership (Union Institute & University 2002). She teaches in the Loft Literary Center’s year-long memoir writing project and at other community venues, and was Creative Nonfiction mentor for the Loft Mentor Series in 2015-2016. She is the mother of 5, grandmother of 8 and great-grandmother of 5 amazing humans beings https://www.carolynleeholbrook.com/

https://morethanasinglestory.com/

Carolyn Holbrook is a recipient of fiscal year 2020 Artist Initiative, and fiscal years 2021-2023 Creative Support for Individuals grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.