First celebrated in Texas, Juneteenth is now a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Deriving its name from combining June and nineteenth, it is celebrated on the anniversary of the order by Major General Gordon Granger proclaiming freedom for enslaved people in Texas on June 19, 1865.
Learn more about the history of Juneteenth here.
Enjoy this list of select Torch Features
The Cottage by Gail Upchurch
word time by devorah major
Something Wonderful by Victoria Adams-Kennedy
Am I Beautiful? by Arianne Elena Payne
Old Blood, Still Running by Angela Redmond-Theodore
Join Torch Tuesday, June 20th for a special Juneteenth event.
RSVP on Eventbrite
Torch Literary Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit established to publish and promote creative writing by Black women. We publish contemporary writing by experienced and emerging writers alike. TORCH has featured work by Colleen J. McElroy, Tayari Jones, Sharon Bridgforth, Crystal Wilkinson, Patricia Smith, Natasha Trethewey, Elizabeth Alexander, and others. Programs include the Wildfire Reading Series, writing workshops, and retreats. Help TORCH continue to publish and promote Black women writers by donating today.
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