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< Back Torch to Raise $10,000 during one of Austin’s Largest Giving Days Jan 28, 2026 Torch joins over 700 nonprofits during Amplify Austin to raise funds for Black women writers. This year, Torch is joining the Austin nonprofit community to raise $10,000 during Amplify Austin, for the fourth year in a row. Amplify Austin’s official 24-hour giving day starts on March 4 at 6 p.m. CST and ends on March 5 at 6 p.m CST. Our fundraising page is open for early giving for supporters to donate starting today by visiting this link . Here are a few ways you can show your support during Amplify Austin: Donate directly to our Amplify Austin Campaign. Our Amplify Austin campaign is live now! You can donate to show your support for Black women writers by visiting our Amplify Austin fundraising page . All donors will be entered into a raffle for prizes from our generous community partners listed on our fundraising page. Create a fundraising page to support Torch. Are you interested in sharing how Torch has impacted your life? You can become a fundraiser for Torch’s Amplify Austin campaign and help raise money by sharing it with your network. You can sign up to become a fundraiser here or create a fundraising page here. All fundraisers can use our fundraising toolkit to assist in reaching out to their extended community. For more details about Amplify Austin, visit amplifyatx.org . About Torch Literary Arts Torch Literary Arts (Torch) 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, writing workshops, retreats, and other special events. Help Torch continue to publish and promote Black women writers by donating today. About Amplify Austin Amplify Austin Day is the biggest day of giving in Central Texas, raising $122.4 Million dollars for the local community since 2013. During a single 24-hour period, from 6:00 PM on March 4 to 6:00 PM on March 5, 2026, residents across a 7-county region will come together to support more than 700 nonprofits by making a donation through the platform, AmplifyATX.org . Previous Next

< Back Torch Literary Arts Receives Burdine Johnson Foundation Grant Brittany Heckard Jun 28, 2024 This is Torch's third year receiving the grant that serves Central Texas arts, education, historical preservation, and environmental sustainability causes. AUSTIN, Tex., June 28, 2024 – Torch Literary Arts (Torch), a nonprofit organization dedicated to amplifying Black women writers, will receive funding from the Burdine Johnson Foundation. This is the nonprofit’s third year receiving funding from the foundation, contributing to Torch’s operations since becoming a nonprofit organization. “Continuous funding from The Burdine Johnson Foundation for our literary mission is affirming and speaks to Torch’s impact, especially here in Central Texas, where we started,” said Torch founder and executive director, Amanda Johnston. We are grateful for our long-standing relationship with the foundation and want to thank the foundation for their mission to support charitable causes.” Funding from the organization assists Torch’s programs in the Central Texas region and beyond. Thanks to this unrestricted grant from the Burdine Johnson Foundation, Torch is able to host free and low-cost in-person events for the community including the Wildfire Reading Series, our annual Juneteenth event “Carrying the Torch”, the annual Torch Retreat, engaging panels with Torch Features, and many more inclusive events. The Burdine Johnson Foundation has donated over $54 million to charitable causes in Central Texas since its inception in the 1960s. Outside of the geographic range, the foundation supports arts, education, health and human services, historic preservation, and the environment. You can read more about The Burdine Johnson Foundation here . 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, writing workshops, and retreats. Help Torch continue to publish and promote Black women writers by donating today. About The Burdine Johnson Foundation In 1960, Burdine Clayton Johnson, a pianist, poet and lover of nature, along with her husband, J.M. Johnson, and several trustees, established The Burdine Johnson Foundation in Houston, Texas. The founding mission stated that the funds were to be used for the “purposes of public usefulness” and to administer and distribute the funds “exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary or education purposes.” Media Contact Information: Brittany Heckard Communications Associate bheckard@torchliteraryarts.org (512) 641-9251 Previous Next

< Back Torch Surpasses Fundraising Goal for 2024 GivingTuesday Campaign Dec 4, 2024 Joining one of the largest international giving days, Torch surpassed its fundraising goal of $5,000. Thanks to generous support from the Torch Community, Torch raised $6,832 this GivingTuesday, surpassing their goal of $5,000. With support from community sponsor matches, board matches, and individual donations, Torch achieved many firsts this fundraising season. Community Sponsor Matches: Businesses were bold and undaunted in their support for Black women writers this year! Thanks to Mantis Massage , an inclusive massage studio with two locations in Austin, Texas, we received a $2,000 match for funds raised. In addition to the $2,000 match, we received a $500 match from Fanm Djanm , a sustainable headwrap collection and lifestyle brand rooted in empowering women. Local Small Business Support: We also want to thank the small businesses that supported Ignite the Night last night. So, here's a BIG shoutout to: Black Pearl Books , Alienated Majesty Books , BookPeople , BookWoman , Spokesman Coffee , Wheatsville Co-op , DAWA , and Paramount Theatre . Thanks to their support, we were able to gift door prizes to attendees at last night's event! Board Matches: Torch’s Executive and Advisory Boards also collectively matched $1,000 of raised donations this #GivingTuesday . Their contribution highlights the importance of board support and speaks to the communal magic that lives within Torch’s team and board. Their support, both in-kind and monetary, means the world to our small but mighty team. The Torch Community: Whether supporters bragged on social media, emailed colleagues, donated, or showed up to our end-of-year party, it was all appreciated. Torch cannot exist without the writers, readers, and lovers of Black women who consistently bring value and joy to our mission. THANK YOU! Still in the spirit of giving? We love it! Torch is still raising funds to meet our end-of-year individual fundraising goal of $35,000! If you’re interested in donating, or know someone who is, please visit torchliteraryarts.org/support . For more details about the GivingTuesday movement, visit givingtuesday.org . About Torch Literary Arts Torch Literary Arts (Torch) 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, writing workshops, and retreats. Help TORCH continue to publish and promote Black women writers by donating today. About GivingTuesday GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of radical generosity to transform communities and the world. GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past eleven years, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to give. GivingTuesday strives to build a world in which the catalytic power of generosity is at the heart of the society we build together, unlocking dignity, opportunity and equity around the globe. Previous Next

< Back Torch Literary Arts Unveils 2024 Spring Season Brittany Heckard Jan 26, 2024 Torch’s 2024 Spring Season is full of workshops, panels, an interactive literary cooking event, and much more to help Black women writers share their unique stories. AUSTIN, Tex., Jan. 26, 2024 – Torch is now 18 years in operation and the quality (and quantity) of events supporting Black women writers is not stopping any time soon. This 2024 season, you can expect to work on perfecting your craft with panels and workshops and attend readings by Torch Features during our Wildfire Reading Series. You can RSVP to Torch’s Spring 2024 events by visiting torchliteraryarts.org/events . Our special events this season include: February 15 In Conversation: Room Swept Home with Remica Bingham-Risher , Lisa D. Cain , and Trapeta B. Mayson Torch Literary Arts is proud to present this special reading celebrating the launch of Remica Bingham-Risher’s latest poetry collection, Room Swept Home . Poet Laureate of Philadelphia, Trapeta B. Mayson will moderate the conversation between Bingham-Risher and Lisa B. Cain, the cover artist of Room Swept Home. The conversation is free and registration opens February 1. Learn more here . March 2 Workshop: Write. Publish. Thrive. with Camari Carter Hawkins This immersive event is tailored for aspiring authors and writers who want to learn strategies on how to self-publish and submit their work to literary journals, magazines, contests, and publishers. We will demystify the self-publishing processes by showing you how to independently bring your work to the world, exploring topics such as formatting, cover design, and distribution channels. The workshop is free and registration opens February 10. Learn more here . March 12 Panel: We Got Somthin’: A panel discussion with Charla Lauriston and Monique Moses Torch Literary Arts is proud to present We Got Somthin’: Black Women Writing from Inspiration to Creation featuring Monique Moses & Charla Lauriston. Panelists will discuss the road from ideation to creation, and all of the bumps in between, as Black women writers and creators working across film, television, and web. The panel will be hosted in person at Vuka (5540 N Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78756) with doors opening at 6:30pm and the panel starting at 7pm. Learn more here . April 2 Workshop: “Story First” | Writing Your First Screenplay with Bev Chukwu In this 4-week workshop, Bev Chukwu will first bring students into the core of their script ideas. The first week is all about owning your idea and seeing what resonates with others on an emotional level, followed by the second week where writers learn about formatting, structure, and general screenwriting lingo. The third and fourth weeks of this workshop are dedicated to executing what you’ve learned into a tangible outline and the first act of your very own screenplay. The workshop is free and registration opens March 12. Learn more here . April 3 Wildfire Reading Series: Kelis Rowe Torch Literary Arts joins Bookwoman for this special Wildfire Reading Series featuring Kelis Rowe, author of Finding Jupiter. A Q&A, reception, and book signing will follow the reading. The event is free and will be in person at Bookwoman (5501 N Lamar Blvd. #A -105, Austin, TX 78751) at 7pm. Learn more here . May 1 Interactive Event: Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts by Crystal Wilkinson Torch Literary Arts presents Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks by Crystal Wilkinson. Join us for a delicious evening of storytelling and a cooking demo from a recipe straight from the book. The event is free and will be in person at Wheatsville Food Co-Op (4001 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704) at 7pm. Learn more here . May 16 Wildfire Reading Series: Andrea "Vocab" Sanderson Torch Literary Arts joins Black Pearl Books for this special Wildfire Reading Series featuring Andrea Vocab Sanderson, author of She Lives in Music . A Q&A and book signing will follow the reading. The event is free and will be in person at Black Pearl Books (7112 Burnet Rd., Austin, TX 78757) at 7pm. Learn more here . May 29 Workshop: Improv for Writers with Shannon Stott Improv is about working together to create worlds. In this workshop, we will use Improv techniques to challenge self-imposed, unwritten rules that may be constricting creativity, discover ways to invoke play with the sacred, and how to SHARE the work of creation with the very characters and worlds we are writing. The workshop is free and registration opens May 8. Learn more here . ### 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, writing workshops, and retreats. For more information about Torch Literary Arts, please visit https://www.torchliteraryarts.org/ or follow @torchliteraryarts on Instagram. Help Torch continue to publish and promote Black women writers by donating today. About Remica Bingham-Risher Remica Bingham-Risher, a native of Phoenix, Arizona, is a Cave Canem fellow and Affrilachian Poet. Her work has been published in The New York Times , The Writer’s Chronicle , Callaloo, and Essence . She is the author of Conversion (Lotus, 2006) winner of the Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award, What We Ask of Flesh (Etruscan, 2013) shortlisted for the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award and Starlight & Error (Diode, 2017) winner of the Diode Editions Book Award and finalist for the Library of Virginia Book Award. Her next book of poems, Room Swept Home , is forthcoming from Wesleyan University Press in 2024. Her memoir, Soul Culture: Black Poets, Books and Questions That Grew Me Up , was published by Beacon Press. She is the Director of Quality Enhancement Plan Initiatives at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, where she resides with her husband and children. About Trapeta B. Mayson A native of Liberia who grew up in Philadelphia, Trapeta B. Mayson was the 2020-2021 Philadelphia Poet Laureate and is the founder of the Healing Verse Poetry Line. She is a recipient of an Academy of American Poets Laureate fellow. Mayson is also a Pew and Cave Canem fellow and Leeway Transformation Awardee, among others. A widely published poet, educator, and teaching artist, Mayson facilitates workshops nationally in schools, institutions, and community venues. A licensed clinical social worker working in the mental health field, Mayson is a member of several local organizations where she uses the arts to mobilize, build community, and help create change. About Lisa D. Cain, Ph.D. Lisa D. Cain, Ph.D., is a self-taught artist and a memory painter. Her predominant painting style, traditional folk art, acrylic paint on canvas, provides a pictorial history of life in the rural South and in Canton, Mississippi. Her upbringing in Canton, Mississippi forms the basic foundations of her life. The vividly colored traditional acrylic folk art paintings depict the joy of growing up in her hometown community. These paintings contain figures of individuals involved in everyday activities reminiscent of traditional folk artists including Bernice Sims, Clementine Hunter, and Grandma Moses. About Camari Carter Hawkins Camari Carter Hawkins is a poet and writer from South Central, Los Angeles. She is the author of Death by Comb (2016, World Stage Press) and the guided journal Write Back to You . Camari’s works have appeared in Rise: An Anthology of Power and Unity (Vagabond Press), The Best of The Poetry Salon 2013-2018 , The Dillydoun Review , Obsidian , Poets Choice , GenreUrbanArts , and elsewhere. Camari founded Mama’s Kitchen Press ™ in 2021 while in her grandmother’s kitchen. Mama's Kitchen Press dropped into her heart while having a heartfelt conversation with her mother and grandmother. The mission of Mama’s Kitchen Press is to use storytelling to affirm our humanity. About Charla Lauriston Charla Lauriston is a Haitian-American, Vancouver-based comedian, writer, and director. She’s currently a writer for Grand Crew on NBC and has previously written for The Last OG, Ghosted, People of Earth, and Hoops. Her 2021 episodic short, Witchsters, is the official selection of the 2022 Slamdance Film Festival, New Filmmakers Los Angeles, and the 2021 Austin Film Festival and American Black Film Festival. Charla is also the Creator and Lead Mentor of The Werking Writer School, a career-focused online course and community for aspiring screenwriters. About Monique Moses Monique Moses is a Canadian-born writer, director, and actor based in New York and Los Angeles. She was co-Head Writer and a co-Executive Producer for Season 4 of HBO's Emmy-nominated A Black Lady Sketch Show. Additional writing credits include Teenage Euthanasia (Adult Swim / HBO Max), Big Mouth spin-off Human Resources (Netflix), The Kid’s Tonight Show (Peacock), and consulting on projects with Jimmy Fallon (That’s My Jam, NBC Universal), Mike Myers (The Pentaverate, Netflix) and John Mulaney (Sack Lunch Bunch, Netflix). As a member of the black comedy team Astronomy Club, she co-created and starred in 'Astronomy Club The Sketch Show', which premiered on Netflix in 2019 to stellar reviews from Variety , Vulture , and Rotten Tomatoes. About Bev Chukwu Beverly “Bev” Chukwu is a Nigerian American writer, director, and script consultant. Her producing projects have screened at the Women in Horror Film Festival, Cine Las Americas, AGLIFF, and more. Bev’s screenplay, PRINCE OF LAVENDALE STREET, was the feature winner in the 2021 BlueCat Screenplay Competition, and her video essay “Sometimes Black” is now used as educational material at the University of Texas at Austin. She has spent over seven years working in various mental health arenas and nearly a year providing behavior therapy to neurodivergent youth and adults. Bev has received fellowships from the Black List x WIF Episodic Lab, Google’s YouTube Originals Black Voices Creator Program, and the James A. Michener Center for Writers, where she also received an MFA in screenwriting and fiction. Bev continues to advocate for filmmakers as EA to the Head of Film and Creative Media at the Austin Film Society and through her relationships teaching for the Writers League of Texas, Austin Bat Cave, and other local non-profits. About Kelis Rowe Kelis Rowe is a stay-at-home mom and former homeschooler who writes sweeping, classic teen romance novels from the points of view of grounded, self-possessed Black girls and the Black teen boys who just gotta love ‘em. Her debut novel, Finding Jupiter , is a contemporary literary romance about a James Taylor and Beyoncé fan and a champion swimmer bonding through shared grief and falling in love one fateful summer. It incorporates journal pages of art and found poetry from the pages of classic novels including The Great Gatsby and Their Eyes Were Watching God . Kelis writes out of her suburban home near Austin, TX. About Crystal Wilkinson Crystal Wilkinson, a recent fellowship recipient of the Academy of American Poets, is the award-winning author of Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts , a culinary memoir, Perfect Black, a collection of poems , and three works of fiction— The Birds of Opulence, Water Street and Blackberries, Blackberries . She is the recipient of an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Poetry, an O. Henry Prize, a USA Artists Fellowship, and an Ernest J. Gaines Prize for Literary Excellence. She has received recognition from the Yaddo Foundation, Hedgebrook, The Vermont Studio Center for the Arts, The Hermitage Foundation and others. Her short stories, poems and essays have appeared in numerous journals and anthologies including most recently in The Atlantic, The Kenyon Review , STORY , Agni Literary Journal, Emergence , Oxford American and Southern Cultures . She was Poet Laureate of Kentucky from 2021 to 2023. She currently teaches creative writing at the University of Kentucky where she is a Bush-Holbrook Endowed Professor. About Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson Andrea “Vocab Sanderson is the fifth Poet Laureate Emeritus of San Antonio. Her performance style is a soulful fusion of spoken word, hip-hop, and rhythm & blues. She’s the author of She Tastes Like Music ( FlowerSong Press 2020) and an Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellow. Vocab was voted Best Local Poet 2021 & 2023 by the SA Current and is the recipient of numerous awards including Dream Voice 2018, The Arts and Letters Award 2020, and Impact Award 2023. She enjoys facilitating creative writing workshops throughout the U.S. with her company, Tree of Life. She is an Artist-In-Residence specializing in artistic patient care with the non-profit organization Hearts Needs Art. About Shannon Stott Shannon Stott is the Creator and Director of Improv | On and Off the Stage, an Improv Production Company, producing live and virtual projects that help people connect to themselves and others through Improv. Shannon has been performing, directing, and teaching Improv for over 25 years in the U.S. and internationally. She uses Improv to highlight the importance of communication across cultures and with self. Shannon considers Improv a practice, encouraging people to engage with Improv as a way to discover more about themselves and others to bridge gaps in cultural understanding. Media Contact Information: Brittany Heckard Communications Associate bheckard@torchliteraryarts.org (512) 641-9251 Previous Next

< Back Torch Announces 2026 Dates for 20th Anniversary Celebration Aug 20, 2025 “A Gathering of Flames” will take place in Austin, Texas, from September 25 to 27, 2026, celebrating Black women writers and 20 years of Torch’s growing community. AUSTIN, Tex., Aug. 20, 2024 – Torch Literary Arts is announcing their 20th Anniversary celebration, “A Gathering of Flames,” occurring September 25-27, 2026, at the Austin Central Branch Library Special Event Center to celebrate Torch’s 20-year legacy of supporting and creating community for Black women writers across the diaspora. For three days, Black women writers and supporters from around the world will convene in Austin to attend the inaugural Torch Awards Gala, an all-day conference, and Collective Brunch. This momentous weekend will include readings by notable authors, guest speakers, writing workshops, networking opportunities, and more. “Bringing a literary celebration for Black women writers from around the world to Austin has always been a part of Torch's vision,” said executive director Amanda Johnston. “It is a testament to the community Torch is building around the world, and I cannot wait to see our community come together in celebration of literary arts in our hometown next year.” Torch started in 2006 when Amanda Johnston realized she was constantly traveling out of state to propel her career as a poet due to the minimal opportunities in Central Texas for writers of color. What started as a literary magazine and grassroots community transformed into a Black-led and serving nonprofit. Torch’s mission is to promote the work of Black women by publishing contemporary creative writing by emerging and experienced writers, to archive contributors' literary work for posterity and educational purposes, and to provide resources and opportunities for the advancement of Black women through literary arts. Torch has grown to support thousands of Black women on their literary journeys, pays professional rates for featured authors, has received the Pushcart Prize and the inaugural Association of Writers and Writing Programs’ Writing Organization Award, has hosted 22 Torch Retreat Fellows in Austin, and has produced free workshops and events that amplify diverse voices across the literary landscape. To find out more information and save the date for the 20th Anniversary, please visit torchliteraryarts.org/agatheringofflames2026 . To donate to Torch and help fuel our mission, please visit https://www.torchliteraryarts.org/donate . ### 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 Previous Next

< Back Torch Literary Arts Receives Poetry Foundation Grant Brittany Heckard Jul 12, 2024 Torch Literary Arts (Torch), a nonprofit organization dedicated to amplifying Black women writers, will receive funding from the Poetry Foundation. This is the nonprofit’s second year receiving funding from the foundation. AUSTIN, Tex., July 12, 2024 – Torch Literary Arts (Torch), a nonprofit organization dedicated to amplifying Black women writers, will receive funding from the Poetry Foundation. This is the nonprofit’s second year receiving funding from the foundation. “Poetry is one of the most declarative ways that Black women voice themselves,” said Torch founder and executive director, Amanda Johnston. “Receiving funding from the Poetry Foundation allows our poets to continue writing and publishing their truths and experiences.” The Poetry Foundation grant will support Torch Features, ensuring that all published writers are paid professionally; funding to sustain full-time and part-time staff; and funding to continue our yearly programming including the Wildfire Reading Series, annual Torch Retreat, and much more. The Poetry Foundation’s relationship with Torch has been an impactful grantee-partner relationship, as highlighted in the Poetry Foundation’s recognition of Torch in their recently released article . Torch is one of around 50 nonprofits to receive funding from the 2024 grant cycle from over 200 applicants and one of just two recipients from Texas. Keeping their promise to equitable giving, Torch is one of nearly 40 of the BIPOC-led nonprofit grant recipients. The Poetry Foundation has donated over $6.3 million to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations including literary presses and magazines since the inception of their grantmaking initiative in 2022. More than 60% of the organization's grantmaking goes to operational support, and nearly 60% of giving directly impacts diverse nonprofits. You can read more about the Poetry Foundation’s 2024 grant cycle in their press release here . 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, writing workshops, and retreats. Help Torch continue to publish and promote Black women writers by donating today. About the Poetry Foundation The Poetry Foundation recognizes the power of words to transform lives. The Foundation works to amplify poetry and celebrate poets by fostering spaces for all to create, experience, and share poetry. Follow the Poetry Foundation on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and Twitter . Media Contact Information: Brittany Heckard Communications Associate bheckard@torchliteraryarts.org (512) 641-9251 Previous Next

< Back Celebrating Black History Month by Acknowledging Black Women Writers and Their Contributions to Literature Jan 31, 2025 Torch is using this year’s Black History Month theme “African Americans and Labor” to highlight the literary work we do to share our voices. At Torch, we don’t use one (short) month to acknowledge the centuries of work Black women have contributed to culture and history as storytellers. However, we’re especially elated to celebrate Black women writers and their work this month. This year, the theme for Black History Month is African Americans and Labor . To celebrate, we’re highlighting the importance of Black women writers and our labor across the literary landscape. Despite Black readers having a higher engagement in books , Black women writers aren’t paid nearly as much as their counterparts in the writing industry. #PublishingPaidMe , solidarity statements in 2020 , and other short-lived social media campaigns highlight these inequalities, yet there’s been little action to ensure Black women are paid for their work and contributions in publishing. “ Working in publishing has exposed me to both sides of the publishing sun. I see how grim and competitive it can be,” said Camari Carter- Hawkins, founder of Mama’s Kitchen Press. “ Knowing that not enough Black writers are being published and afforded opportunities makes me want to find ways to open doors for us.” Camari Carter-Hawkins decided to tell her experience as a Black woman by publishing independently. She founded Mama’s Kitchen Press in 2021 to encourage writers to tell their stories their way, creating doors for others. She realizes that, outside of monetary value, writing also pays her by increasing her well-being. To learn more about Mama's Kitchen Press, visit mamaskitchenpress.com . To learn more and keep up with Black women and their contributions to literature, be sure to follow our Instagram page ! If you’re looking for some February fun or want to see how you can support Torch’s work this month, here are a few ways: Donate to our Amplify Austin campaign : We’re raising $10,000 this year for one of the biggest giving days in Austin. Your contribution automatically enters you to win some really cool prizes. Join us for Solar Saturday at the Carver Museum : Torch community members, Marzetta and Shasparay will be sharing their work during the Torch Poetry Showcase. The event is free and open to all. Celebrate World Read Aloud Day with Torch x Kendra Scott : Kendra Scott is donating 20% of purchases when you use code GIVEBACK-IMGQX online or in-store at the Domain location on February 5th and 6th. Celebrate 30 Years of Waiting to Exhale at the Paramount: A movie night at the Paramount? Count us in! Join Torch and the Paramount Theatre for a special screening of an iconic masterpiece based on the book by Terry McMillan. Previous Next

< Back Celebrating Black Women's Contributions to Poetry All Month Long Brittany Heckard Apr 1, 2025 Continuing on months of celebrating Black History Month and Women’s History Month, we’re keeping the acknowledgments alive with National Poetry Month Building on the accomplishments highlighted in February and March, we’re excited to amplify the creatives who effortlessly connect thought and feelings to produce the words many of us understand on an ethereal level – poets. From our first-ever Torch Feature in Torch Magazine to our most recent Torch Feature and poet, Elisha Mykelti , we want to thank each and every Black woman poet who is part of our thriving literary community. Your poetry is ignited with historical takes, generational proverbs, and collective snaps and praises. April is also very special for Torch because it is also International Black Women’s History Month . Created by Sha Battle in 2016, International Black Women’s History month exists to build awareness of the contributions of Black women around the world. At Torch, we’re making history as the first-ever literary organization to win AWP’s Literary Organization award , by collaborating to host a historical intergenerational series with the Wintergreen Women Writers Collective called Welcome Table Talks , and existing as an organization led by Texas’s first Black woman Poet Laureate, Amanda Johnston. We have so many reasons to celebrate this month! Torch will host lots of fun activities to help encourage writing and be in community with other poets. Check out how you can celebrate with Torch during National Poetry Month below! Events April 7th - Writing Circle April 17th - Give Praise: A Celebration of Texas Poet Laureate Amanda Johnston April 18th - National Poetry Month Open Mic at Fanm Djanm April 19th - Songwriting Workshop: Vision in Song with Megan “Megz Kelli” Tillman Torch Magazine Read our April 2025 Feature, Tanya Shirley Read poetry by our Friday Features Watch on YouTube Torch’s Solar Saturday Showcase featuring Marzetta and Shasparay Irvin Torch Feature Anastacia-Renee at the Texas Book Festival Lit Crawl A Poem for Sandra Brown by Lynn Thompson during the Texas Book Festival You can also support Torch’s mission to amplify Black women writers and the poets we feature by donating to our organization . Previous Next

< Back Ending the Year Strong with Community Impact and Growth Brittany Heckard Dec 29, 2025 Taking time to thank you all for your support in 2025 and share plans to end the year strong. We made it to the end of another year of celebrating Black women writers. Thanks to Torch community members like you, we’re almost to our 2025 individual giving goal of $40,000. We need $9,089 by the end of the year to reach our goal ! These unrestricted contributions help us with programming, sustaining the organization, paying Torch features, and much more. In 2025, we: Hosted over 50 events, including free workshops, our Wildfire Reading Series, virtual writing circles, the Torch Retreat, and more. Paid over $51,000 to Torch Magazine Features, Retreat Fellows, authors, artists, and independent contractors. Continued our Writers Across the Diaspora Program with support from the Consulate General of Ireland - Austin . Started a new program , Welcome Table Talk , in collaboration with the Wintergreen Women Writers Collective . Supported 8 fellows from Iowa, California, Texas, and Michigan during our 3rd Annual Torch Retreat . Received the inaugural AWP Writing Organization Award . Started construction on The Torch Center, set to open in January . Grew our Instagram following to 11k+ followers. With your help, we can reach our individual giving goal to start the year strong! Your donation helps support Black women writers and empowers storytelling from emerging and experienced writers around the world. Interested in learning more about what we have in store for 2026? You can watch our “Fueling Torch’s Flame” webinar online now! You’ll hear board members, staff, and community members talk about the importance of supporting Black women writers and the impact Torch Literary Arts has made on their lives. You can watch the live webinar here using this passcode: We!rL4%Y We can’t wait to see what we accomplish next year with you! ### 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 notable authors such as Toi Derricotte, Tayari Jones, Sharon Bridgforth, Crystal Wilkinson, Patricia Smith, Natasha Trethewey, and Sapphire, among 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 Previous Next

< Back Torch Literary Arts Celebrates GivingTuesday with a Board Match, Supporter Toolkit, Giveaway, and More. Nov 19, 2025 Torch is joining millions around the world participating in the global generosity movement on December 2, 2025. This GivingTuesday, Torch Literary Arts will inspire generosity by raising $7,000 to support efforts to amplify Black women writers across the world. This is our fourth year participating in GivingTuesday. To kick off our fundraising, our Board has agreed to match the first $500 donated, getting us to a guaranteed $1,000 in fundraising for GivingTuesday! To celebrate GivingTuesday this year, we’re asking Torch supporters to prepare by saving GivingTuesday to your calendar as a reminder to support Black women writers. You can do that by clicking here to save the date to your personal calendar. We are also participating in a giveaway for Torch supporters based in Austin and the surrounding areas. We’ll be giving away two free tickets to the Austin PBS-produced BLACK DIVAS , a showcase merging cultural, musical, and health advocacy in one night, featuring legendary R&B singer Keke Wyatt! You can find out how to enter the giveaway by visiting our Instagram page . Torch is also activating peer support for GivingTuesday. All around the world, Torch Features, Retreat Fellows, and the wider community are spreading the word about Torch’s impact in their communities. Support during our peer-to-peer campaign not only amplifies the work that Torch does but also provides first-hand accounts of our community impact. Want to join in on supporting? You can access our Peer-to-Peer “P2P Toolkit” here . GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. GivingTuesday will kick off the giving season by inspiring people to give back on December 2, 2025 , and throughout the year. "This GivingTuesday represents more than a single day of giving—it's a powerful reminder of our shared ability to create meaningful change together," said Asha Curran, CEO of GivingTuesday. "When communities unite with purpose and compassion, they don't just raise funds; they strengthen the bonds that make them resilient and hopeful. Every act of generosity, from big to small, becomes part of a collective force that builds a brighter future for all.” Those who are interested in donating to Torch’s GivingTuesday initiative can visit torchliteraryarts.org/donate . For more details about the GivingTuesday movement, visit givingtuesday.org . About Torch Literary Arts Torch Literary Arts (TORCH) 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, writing workshops, and retreats. Help Torch continue to publish and promote Black women writers by donating today. About GivingTuesday GivingTuesday is a movement that unleashes the power of generosity around the world. It was created in 2012 at New York’s 92nd Street Y and incubated in its Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact. What started as a simple idea of a day that encourages people to do good has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity year-round. The movement is brought to life through a distributed network of entrepreneurial leaders who lead national movements in more than 110 countries across the globe. An integral part of the global generosity movement is the GivingTuesday organization, which offers support and resources to GivingTuesday leaders and fosters connection and collaboration across the network. To learn more about GivingTuesday, please visit: www.givingtuesday.org . Previous Next

In the Press

< Back Celebrating National Book Month with Torch Literary Arts Oct 7, 2024 This October, Torch is celebrating National Book Month with Torch Day, an inaugural international program, and much more! This October, Torch Literary Arts (Torch) is celebrating National Book Month and wants you to join! We know that books are powerful pages bound together to express emotions, provide entertainment, and enrich our knowledge. We’re excited to celebrate our love for books with the Torch community all month. We started off celebrating National Book Month by celebrating Torch Day on October 5 at BookPeople. Supporters helped us celebrate by joining us in person at BookPeople, purchasing a book, or any other purchase online. 10% of all purchases made at BookPeople went directly to Torch! We also featured a panel of wonderful local literary leaders like J asmine Games, Kelis Rowe, Prudence Arceneaux, and our own Amanda Johnston, followed by Torch Karaoke. You can view the recap photos here . We’ll be hosting our inaugural Writers Across the Diaspora in collaboration with Texas State University, Culture Ireland, Consulate General of Ireland - Austin, and the Carver Museum, featuring Irish poets Nithy Kisa and FELISPEAKS . We’ll kick off the program with the English Department at Texas State University on October 9, followed by a reading at the Carver Museum on October 11, and two free workshops on October 12. You can find out more about the events here . You can also celebrate National Book Month by working on your own writing projects during the Writing Circle , hear from writers at our monthly Salon , or donate to our organization to continue supporting Black women writers. ### 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 Previous Next