Carlito and Kahlia are asking for 15 donations of $100 or more during the 24 hours of Seattle U Gives, in order to match their $1,500 gift - please help them and us by donating to their campaign, where you’ll find the English Department Fund in a dropdown list on Feb. You can read their inspiring bios and interview below.

I was in conversation recently with Carlito Umali and Kahlia Kéita, class of 2008, because they have been thinking about the role of the SU English Department and the humanities in their individual journeys, and in gratitude they have started a fundraising campaign to support students of color in English. I feel grateful to be a part of this strong and good community, and I hope you have fond memories of your time with us. Hello, alumni and friends of the English Department! Keith: I’ve only written one book, but plan to write more.Welcome from Department Chair Charles Tung Me: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite if more than one? If only 1 book then do you plan on writing more?

Me: What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk? If I’m out of ideas then I’ll take a break. We will see how I can hold on because I have a lot to write when it comes to life experience that turns into fiction novels. Keith: I plan to publish at least a book a year this decade. Sometimes the community can feel like a threat to society wearing a hoodie, but feel if their presence is invisible to other communities. I wanted the main character to show half his face invisible and the other half visible wearing a face masked to relate in today’s time with the pandemic, but this one will do since it can be an understanding from an influence of Trayvonn Martin and the rest of the African-American community. Me: How did the cover of your book come to be? Is it exactly like you envisioned? I mean, it was Jay-Z who put out his first album at age 26, I said I’ll do the same at that age along with Drake’s first album in 2010, so why not 2020? It’s not copying I’m an author and those are rappers, but, it’s just influenced to challenge yourself to do what most people you know won’t do. However, after college, I was influenced by rapper Jay-Z and Drake to do something with writing. I was inspired by Stan Lee growing up, but I gave that up in due time. Keith: Mainly hip-hop helped me find my roots in writing. Me: What inspired you to write this book? With fiction, poetry and thriller in it, I hope my work can influence other future writers to do the same. There were many genres, but I decided to be creative by making a multi-genre book. Keith: Growing up I always wanted to write something, but didn’t know what. Me: Did you always know that you would write a book someday?

Bone Flake by Keith J. Beasley