In August of 2006, Torch was founded as a communal space to support Black women writers from all over the world. 19 years later, we’ve grown to a community of thousands and publish weekly and monthly paid features in Torch Magazine, which has received multiple Pushcart Prizes, hosted three Torch Retreats and supported 22 fellows, deliver creative and professional development workshops to hundreds of BIPOC participants, and over 7,000 followers enjoy Torch content on social media. None of this could be possible without your support.

This Birthday Month, we have one wish: We want to gain 30 new Community Impact Members (CIMs) in August. Our CIMs are dedicated individual donors and small businesses who support Torch’s mission through annual and monthly donations of at least $10 a month or $100 annually. You can learn more about the program here.

August is also Black Philanthropy Month, an international time of giving supporting Black-led nonprofits. Between our birthday and celebrating the network of other Black-led nonprofits, there’s so much to celebrate, and there’s no better time to become a CIM than now. If you’re interested in the work and impact of Black-led literary nonprofits like Torch, check out Magnitude and Bond, a field study on Black-led literary arts organizations.

Here are a few ways you can support Torch this month:

Ways to Celebrate Torch’s 19th Birthday

• Help us gain 30 new CIMs by donating here. 

• Want to personalize a happy birthday message? Submit one here.

• August 11th – Join our Writing Circle

• Sign up for our newsletter here.

We also have a few surprises coming up this month that we can’t wait to share and celebrate with you all. Stay tuned!

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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.

About Black Philanthropy Month

Dr. Jacqueline Bouvier Copeland of Pan-African Women's Philanthropy Network and The WISE Fund established the month of August as Black Philanthropy Month in 2011 with recognition by the United Nations as part of its 2011 Declaration of the International Year for People of African Descent and its 2015-2024 Declaration of the International Decade for People of African Descent. The month-long observance invites all people of African ancestry and allied brothers and sisters to take August and beyond to promote the power of giving to transform lives. Learn more here.

Media Contact Information:

Brittany Heckard

Communications Associate

bheckard@torchliteraryarts.org 

(512) 641-9251