Feminist Press Executive Director and Publisher Jamia Wilson Stepping Down

With a combination of sadness and gratitude, the Board of Directors of the Feminist Press at CUNY announces that Jamia Wilson will be stepping down as Executive Director and Publisher in December. We thank her for the dynamic leadership she has provided FP for nearly four years, and will immediately conduct a nationwide search for her replacement.

During her tenure, Jamia and the staff widened the reach and readership of the FP list by increasing our visibility and narrative power in the literary, philanthropic, and feminist movement spaces using grassroots outreach in digital campaigns. “Though we will miss Jamia, we plan to build on her work and the legacy of our beloved founder, Florence Howe,” said Linda Villarosa, Chair of the FP Board. “This year, as we celebrate a half century in publishing, we look forward to the next fifty years.”

Under Jamia’s direction, FP sharpened its focus on insurgent debut and early career marginalized authors, which helped strengthen the loyalty of our audience while also bringing in new readers and communities. In the past three years, the Press has been honored as winners or finalists of the Kirkus Prize for Fiction (finalist), PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay (winner), PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction (finalist), Lambda Literary Award (finalists), Best Translated Book Award (finalists), Foreword INDIES Book of the Year (winner), Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature (honor title), and National Translation Award (finalist).

Jamia leaves the Press to become Vice President and Executive Editor in the Random House imprint of Penguin Random House. We view her move into mainstream publishing as part of Florence Howe’s vision of the Press as a springboard for diverse voices into the larger publishing industry. “It has been an honor to be a part of shaping this vital chapter of FP’s history,” Jamia said. “I am pleased with the strides and impact we have made together toward building and implementing FP’s strategic plan, updated grant portfolio, editorial vision, and theory of change. I look forward to collaborating as a faithful donor and will forever be a champion of the Feminist Press.”

In 2020, in partnership with the Board, Jamia diversified and expanded FP’s funding pipeline and grant portfolio. We developed a framework for a sustainable growth campaign as well as the infrastructure, systems, and metrics needed to strengthen FP’s fundraising fitness. “We appreciate and value Jamia’s steady hand and eye on the bottom line,” said Helene Goldfarb, President of the FP Board. “We stand strong financially and, with our talented staff, are looking forward to the future of the Press.”

For all inquiries, please contact info@feministpress.org.