BIASC Receives Three-Year Grant to Launch Creative Writing Program for Brain Injury Survivors
We’re thrilled to share some truly inspiring news that has been a long time in the making: the Brain Injury Association of South Carolina (BIASC) has been awarded a generous three-year Cross-Sector Impact grant from South Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)!
This grant, providing $15,000 in Year 1, will allow BIASC to launch a first-of-its-kind creative writing program created by brain injury survivors, for brain injury survivors.
A Creative Space Designed for Healing, Expression, and Connection
For many in the brain injury community, finding the right words can be part of the healing journey. With this new program, we aim to create a supportive environment where survivors can explore creativity, share their stories, and reconnect with their voices—no matter where they are in their recovery.
We are honored to have this program led by Cinelle Barnes, a Charleston-based, award-winning author and fellow brain injury survivor. A former Pulitzer Prize juror for Memoir, she has received numerous fellowships, awards, and grants, including a maximum grant from the Authors League to complete a medical memoir. After surviving a brain aneurysm in 2023 and regaining most of her cognition, Cinelle sought knowledge and community to support her healing, insight that now informs her prescriptive memoir-in-progress with Little Brown. Her expertise in writing instruction and Universal & Accessible Learning ensures a supportive and accessible workshop environment for all participants.
With her leadership, the workshops will offer a safe space for survivors to:
Express themselves through creative writing and storytelling
Build confidence in their unique voice
Find community with others who understand their journey
Experience empowerment and joy through creativity
This three-year grant ensures that we can grow and sustain the program over time—building a long-term creative community for survivors across South Carolina.
What’s Next: Mark Your Calendar
Registration opens: January 2026
Spaces will be limited, and we expect strong interest. Registration details will be available on the BIASC website and shared through our email newsletter.
Classes begin: March 2026
Workshops will be held virtually to ensure maximum accessibility for survivors across the state, including those with transportation or mobility challenges.
This program is just one more way BIASC continues creating a better future through brain injury prevention, research, education, and advocacy, and we can’t wait to see the stories, connections, and creativity that grow from it.
Stay tuned for more details in the coming months. We can’t wait to write this next chapter with you.
