Jun 5, 2025
June is a month full of pride for queer, Caribbean, and song-filled Black women writers and the readers who love them.
Black women writers are not a monolith and we celebrate each intersectional identity, especially in June. Writers from all over the diaspora are recognized for the experience that produced the unique storytelling we all value. This June is a Black, queer, Caribbean, and music-filled month for Torch.
This June 19, we’ll be celebrating 160 years of Juneteenth. Now a federal holiday, Juneteenth was the official “end” of slavery, with the final word delivered to Galveston Island two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Torch is a proud Texas-based, Black-led organization from the South. Our work builds on the freedom our ancestors fought for by providing a community for Black women to freely share their stories.
Pride Month occurs every June and is a consistent reminder that intersectionality is important in storytelling. Queer Black women and nonbinary writers continuously challenge the theoretical framework of gender, love, power, and sexuality in an undaunted and radical way. Lack of representation and lived experiences from these writers would lead to silenced and stifled viewpoints of all Black identities.
June is also a time to celebrate Caribbean American writers during National Caribbean American Heritage Month. As an international organization, we welcome writers from all over and celebrate their unique voices in Torch Magazine and at our curated programs.
Music is poetry, and June is the perfect time to celebrate Black Music Month. From workshops to events, Torch continuously supports Black women songwriters who merge music and poetry to produce memorable lyrics and tunes we sing in the shower or belt in our cars.
Want to celebrate the work we’re doing to amplify every Black woman writer? Consider becoming a Community Impact Member (CIM) by donating at least $10 a month or $100 annually.
Below are a few ways you can celebrate each month specifically.
Celebrate Juneteenth: Attend These Torch Events
June 9th – Torch Writing Circle
June 20th – Carrying the Torch
June 21st – Torch Writing Circle
June 24th – Bloomsday & Beyond featuring Emma Dabiri presented by Torch and the Consulate General of Ireland
Celebrate Pride Month: Read Work from Some of Torch Magazine’s Queer Features
Celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month: Read Work from Some of Torch Magazine’s Caribbean Features
Celebrate Black Music Month: Read Work from Some of Torch Magazine’s Songwriters
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About Torch Literary Arts
Torch Literary Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established with love and intention in 2006 to publish and promote creative writing by Black women. We publish contemporary writing by experienced and emerging writers alike. Torch has featured work by Toi Derricotte, Tayari Jones, Sharon Bridgforth, Crystal Wilkinson, Patricia Smith, Natasha Trethewey, Elizabeth Alexander, and others. Programs include the Wildfire Reading Series, workshops, an annual retreat, and special events.
Help Torch continue to publish and promote Black women writers by donating today.
Media Contact Information:
Brittany Heckard
Communications Associate
bheckard@torchliteraryarts.org
(512) 641-9251