In the late 1950s, she joined the Harlem Writers Guild, where she met a number of important African-American authors, including her friend and mentor James Baldwin.
Pada akhir dasawarsa 1950-an, dia bergabung dengan Harlem Writers Guild, di mana dia bertemu dengan beberapa penulis Afrika-Amerika Serikat penting, termasuk kawan dan mentornya, James Baldwin.