Patrick Harris II
Darkness in Detroit
Fears are real, pressing, and often go unheard. But in the horror genre, fear becomes a tool. And in the Black horror genre, fear transforms into a battleground where we don’t just survive — we win.
Darkness in Detroit, a scary story competition and podcast series, puts a spotlight on the rising literary talent of Detroit’s youth. The project began with a citywide writing contest for Detroit K-12 students, inviting them to write original horror stories rooted in their personal fears and how they dream of overcoming them. Winning stories were produced into audio pieces and included interviews with the young writers to explore their creative processes.
Showcasing the creative narratives of Detroit students is a way to showcase their genius in ways standardized tests cannot. It offers a gateway to educators, parents, and policymakers to consider alternative (and perhaps more culturally relevant) methods to assess children’s genius.
About The Storyteller
Patrick Harris II
Patrick Harris II (he/him) is an award-winning educator, writer, and researcher on a mission to help people face their fears. Patrick is a PhD Student in the Department of English and Film Studies at Michigan State University, focusing on Black horror film and literature. He founded The Black Paranormal Project, an audio-archive of paranormal stories told by Black Detroiters. Patrick is a career teacher with over 10 years of experience teaching. He was awarded the 2016 Early Career Educator of Color Leadership Award from the National Council of Teachers of English and was named a 2020 ‘30 Under 30 Honoree’ from the International Literacy Association. He is also an award-winning storyteller. His book The First Five: A Love Letter to Teachers was named as a finalist for the Best Professional Audiobook by the Audio Publishers Association. His writings and works can also be found in Education Week, EdSurge, and GQ Magazine.