20 years ago, Torch was founded by poet Amanda Johnston to celebrate and foster an international community of Black women writers. Torch grew into an ecosystem for Black women across the diaspora to share their stories. For us, National Poetry Month is a full-circle moment celebrating Black women’s words.

This April, we’re also celebrating poets like Dr. Malika Booker, who was this year’s visiting writer from our Writers Across the Diaspora series. Now in our third year, we’ve been fortunate to share stories from poets not only in Central Texas but from around the world. 

April is also International Black Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate Black women across the diaspora and to embrace our achievements, rich history, and bright futures. This year, celebrating International Black Women’s History Month is near and dear to our hearts as we embark on 20 years of consistently and intentionally amplifying Black women writers.

You can celebrate National Poetry Month, perfect your craft, and join us on Torch’s journey to celebrate 20 years by attending our events and reading from some groundbreaking poetry below.

Events 

• April 6th - Writing Circle

• April 12th - Wildfire Reading Series with Chiagoziem Jideofor and Host Publications

• April 18th - Colored People’s Time (CPT) is Real Time: Afrofuturism, the Speculative, the Surreal & the Fantastic

Torch Magazine 

• Read our April Feature, Dr. Malika Booker

• Read poetry by our Friday Features

Watch on YouTube

• Wildfire Reading Series with Ebony Stewart

• An Evening with Tiana Clark and Donika Kelly

• Throwback to Jasmine Games Reading for Torch Day at BookPeople!

You can also support Torch’s mission to amplify Black women writers and the poets we feature by donating to our organization.