“There is something so special about art, Creating spaces free from judgement, Rooted in inclusivity from the start, Plant your seeds in us, To watch this garden grow, Full of beauty, talent, and a representation of what you have sown.”

- K The Writer

Meet Makenna “k the writer”

I am Makenna Reddix, but most people know me as K. As a Cleveland native and a high school senior at Cleveland Early College High School, I also study psychology at Cuyahoga Community College. I'm proud to be part of the Top Scholars honors program with College Now of Greater Cleveland, ArtWorks through Center for Arts-Inspired Learning, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund program, and YouthMove for the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Writing has always been a passion of mine, and I've won numerous competitions, including Power of the Pen, talent shows, and poetry contests. Recently, I've discovered a love for performing poetry and spoken word through ArtWorks. My personal aspiration is to connect with people, whether through my spoken word or my career goal of becoming a counselor. I cherish interpersonal communication and understanding different perspectives, which is a core part of who I am.

People often note my ability to recognize their unique personalities and work with them effectively. I take pride in creating inclusive environments and am grateful for the impact I can make at such a young age.

Scroll down to view my work!

If you've received a physical or digital letter from us, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your interest in Makenna's journey and the remarkable work she is doing. Makenna has been part of the ArtWorks family for four sessions, and during this time, we’ve seen her evolve into a skilled poet, performer, and artist. Through her spoken word and poetry, Makenna has developed a powerful, authentic voice that continues to inspire her peers and our community.

As you explore her work on this page, we invite you to experience some of the pieces she has created. Each one represents not only her talent but also the impact of arts education on young lives.

If Makenna’s story resonates with you, please consider donating to become a champion for the arts to help us expand similar opportunities to other youth across Northeast Ohio. Your support will empower even more young artists like Makenna to discover their voices, grow in their creativity, and share their stories with the world.

Thank you for being a part of our mission to inspire the next generation of creative thinkers and leaders.

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If you’re interested in supporting our mission to provide creative spaces for youth across Northeast Ohio, please consider making a donation using the button below. Through your support, we can continue to uplift and empower young artists like Makenna and provide them with the opportunities to thrive and create.