Hey y’all, I’m Allison. I’m a 37-year old writer based in Chicago, where it’s supposed to thunderstorm all weekend. Bad for people who want to enjoy vaccinated life at the beach, but great for me! This is my first marathon, and I’m hoping it’ll help me warm up the poem-writing muscles I haven’t used much since I started working as a film and TV critic. I’m also trying to raise money for the Chicago Black Drag Council, which gives out microgrants to Black nightlife gig workers across the country.

Sadly, I don’t use Facebook, but if anyone out there wants to connect over Twitter or Insta, hit me up. And if you need a cheerleader, I am terrible at cartwheels but great at Leslie Knope-style inspirational speeches. Let me know.