Beyond the Page
Doctoral student Vince Omni explores African-American history, joy, and resilience through award-winning narratives
To many, a coffee shop is just a spot to grab a quick drink or catch up with friends. For Vince Omni, a 糖心vlog doctoral student, these caffeinated havens are creative enclaves where stories brew alongside espressos and lattes.
Omni can usually be found tucked into a quiet corner, his face wreathed in the steam of a hot beverage while he crafts a lesson plan or drafts pages of his as-yet-untitled dissertation novel.
Spending hours in these java joints, Omni noticed few of his fellow customers looked like him 鈥 his desire for representation inspired the creation of a fictional caf茅 where Black and brown communities could feel a sense of belonging. In his award-winning story, 鈥淭he Diaspora Caf茅,鈥 published in the summer 2024 issue of the Michigan Quarterly Review, Omni reflects on the importance of inclusive community spaces and addresses the impact of gentrification on communities of color.
鈥淭he economic instability I experienced as a child forced my family to live a very nomadic life,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why stories like 鈥楧iaspora Caf茅,鈥 stories about displacement and belonging, are so important to me.鈥
Omni spent part of that childhood in Denver, Colorado鈥檚 historic Five Points neighborhood, a culturally significant area now impacted by redevelopment.
Five Points also serves as the setting for 鈥淐af茅鈥 where Chidi, the story鈥檚 protagonist, navigates ethical dilemmas that arise when the reality of financial insecurity conflicts with the responsibility one feels to their own family and to their community: Should Chidi sell her family鈥檚 caf茅 to a faceless chain or sacrifice to protect its legacy? The story earned MQR鈥檚 2024 Jesmyn Ward Prize in Fiction.
鈥淕entrification is a complex issue that requires a systemic solution 鈥 one that doesn鈥檛 displace African-American communities from their homes while others profit from new prosperity,鈥 Omni said. 鈥淚 hope readers find something to connect with in the story whether it鈥檚 the characters, plot or setting.鈥
鈥While challenges are part of the African-American experience, they鈥檙e not the whole story. Often, the narrative focuses only on struggle, but moments of joy, strength, and triumph also deserve recognition. Our goal is to shift the lens from a focus on hardship to one that celebrates the richness and resilience of the African-American experience.鈥
鈥 Vince Omni
The depth and nuance of Omni鈥檚 work reflects the breadth of his life experience. After earning a bachelor鈥檚 in English from St. Olaf College in Minnesota in 1996, he worked 20 years as a teacher, instructional coach, journalist, and project coordinator for education nonprofits. During this time, he discovered a passion for writing fiction.
He resumed his studies in 2017 and received his master鈥檚 in creative writing from the University of Kansas in 2020 where he worked for KU鈥檚 History of Black Writing research center. Omni came to FSU in August 2020 to pursue a doctorate through the , and he specializes in African-American literary and cultural studies.
For his work, Omni has earned multiple fellowships including the 2020 McKnight Doctoral Fellowship, administered by the Florida Education Fund, which supports scholars from underrepresented communities with up to five years of funding.
鈥淰ince came in as a talented writer with diverse interests, and he鈥檚 continued to cultivate those here,鈥 said Ravi Howard, an assistant professor of English and Omni鈥檚 adviser. 鈥淭he McKnight Fellowship has been vital to his research on African-American literature by bringing the fellows together annually to share their work while offering professional and financial resources. This support encourages students of color to pursue their studies in Florida.鈥
Omni鈥檚 untitled novel follows Demita Jo, a fictional former Black Panther in 1970s Louisiana, as she rebuilds her life while confronting past pressures and wrestling with how to address her family鈥檚 needs while holding on to her own principles. The book鈥檚 opening chapter earned the Margaret Walker Memorial Prize in Fiction from the College Language Association in 2019.
鈥淰ince brings his peers along in his writing journey, sharing his process from draft to publication, giving students a chance to see how ideas develop and how peer support helps bring those ideas to life,鈥 Howard said.
Through SoulClap: A Black Joy Journal, a digital platform Omni co-founded with his wife and FSU alumna Chris Omni, Ph.D., he hopes to emphasize positive, uplifting experiences to reshape perceptions and promote a more nuanced understanding of Black identity. SoulClap shares stories from Black communities that celebrate joy, resilience and creativity.
鈥淲hile challenges are part of the African-American experience, they鈥檙e not the whole story,鈥 Omni said, 鈥淥ften, the narrative focuses only on struggle, but moments of joy, strength, and triumph also deserve recognition. Our goal is to shift the lens from a focus on hardship to one that celebrates the richness and resilience of the African-American experience.鈥
Carolina Ortega-Martinez is an FSU student pursuing dual degrees in digital media production and editing, writing and media. She is set to graduate in May 2026.