Our BleakHouse Fellow for academic year 2010-2011 is Liz Calka, an undergraduate student at American University majoring in Visual Media and minoring in Graphic Design. Calka is an award-winning photographer and designer who serves as Artistic Director for BleakHouse Publishing. She uses design and photography as art forms with social implications, and as catalysts for change. Her portfolio includes book and magazine covers, websites, and photographic documentary series. As part of her fellowship, Calka will be publishing a book of photography with BleakHouse in Fall 2010. The book will focus on people affected by the D.C. justice system and will be an in-depth exploration of the truths and stereotypes that coexist within that system. She will be graduating in December 2010 and plans to find work as a designer or photographer. BleakHouse Fellowships are accompanied by a stipend of five hundred dollars.

Our BleakHouse Fellow for academic year 2009-2010 is Sonia Tabriz, an honors student at American University with majors in Law & Society and Psychology. Tabriz is an award-winning and widely published author and artist, whose publications include an edited book of criminal justice fiction, several stories and poems, magazine and book cover art, and a collection of poetry slated for publication by BleakHouse Publishing. She also serves as Editor-In-Chief of Tacenda Literary Magazine and has worked as text designer of other publications. Tabriz will study fiction as a window onto the world of crime and punishment, and will mentor selected honors students who hope to use creative writing as a part of their course of study at American University. She looks forward to attending law school upon graduation and aspires to continue working creatively on issues of criminal justice and deprivation of liberty. BleakHouse Fellowships are accompanied by a stipend of five hundred dollars.

The first Bleak House Fellow is Molly Kenney, an honors student at American University and a Truman Scholar. Ms. Kenney will study the death penalty, and will mentor selected honors students who are examining the death penalty as part of their course of study at American University. Bleak House Fellowships are accompanied by a stipend of five hundred dollars.