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< Back Torch Executive Director and Features Named as Brooks Living Legacy Honorees Brittany Heckard Nov 15, 2024 20 Torch community members were named Living Legacy Honorees The Brooks Living Legacy recently announced their list of Living Legacy Honorees, a global celebration of Black Female Poets in the tradition of Gwendolyn Brooks. Torch is elated to announce that out of the 50 poets named, 19 have been featured in Torch Magazine and/or readings and special events. The Living Legacy Project is part of the 75th Anniversary celebration of Annie Allen , Gwendolyn Brooks’s Pulitzer Prize winning work. The list is composed of Black female poets who are making an impact in the literary community. Honorees include: Amanda Johnston - Torch Founder / Executive Director Sequoia Maner - Torch Board Chair Elizabeth Alexander Tara Betts Mahogany L. Browne Isha Camara Ajanaé Dawkins Toi Derricotte Latasha N. Nevada Diggs Kelly Norman Ellis Vievee Francis Krista Franklin Faylita Hicks Toni Asante Lightfoot Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton Evie Shockley Patricia Smith Ebony Stewart Natasha Trethewey Crystal Wilkinson To learn more about Brooks Permissions and to see the full list of Living Legacies Honorees, click here . ### 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 Brooks Permissions Brooks Permissions, founded in 2001, manages the literary works of acclaimed poet Gwendolyn Brooks. Media Contact Information: Brittany Heckard Communications Associate bheckard@torchliteraryarts.org (512) 641-9251 Previous Next

List of Torch Literary Arts' current in-person and virtual events. Upcoming Events Multiple Dates Torch Writing Cirlce Sat, Jan 24 Zoom Dedicated writing time for BIPOC womxn writers. Learn more 2025 CIM Webinar: Fueling Torch's Flame Thu, Dec 11 Virtual Webinar Join us for a recap of 2025 and hear about what's coming in 2026! Open to current Community Impact Members. Learn more Workshop - From the Lion’s Mouth: The Writer as Historical Witness with Sandra Jackson-Opoku Wed, Nov 19 Zoom Learn more Torch TBF Lit Crawl Showcase Sat, Nov 08 Cheer Up Charlies Join us for a celebration of Torch features and friends during the Texas Book Festival. Learn more Torch x Texas Book Festival featuring Tiana Clark and Donika Kelly Sat, Nov 08 Texas Capitol - Extension Room: E2.010 Join this Torch panel at the Texas Book Festival! Learn more An Evening with Tiana Clark and Donika Kelly Thu, Nov 06 Black Pearl Books Join us ahead of the Texas Book Festival for an incredible night of poetry. Learn more Wildfire Reading Series featuring Ashley D. Farmer Mon, Nov 03 BookPeople Presented by BookPeople and Torch Literary Arts, join us for the launch of Queen Mother: Black Nationalism, Reparations, and the Untold Story of Audley Moore. Learn more Wildfire Reading Series featuring Ebony Stewert Thu, Oct 23 Bookwoman Join Torch Literary Arts for a reading and conversation with Ebony Stewart, author of WASH. Learn more Welcome Table Talk - Thinking About Love and the Divine Tue, Oct 21 Webinar with DaMaris B. Hill and Ajanaé Dawkins, moderated by Amanda Johnston Learn more Torch Day at BookPeople Sat, Oct 11 BookPeople Join us for Children's Storytime and a Poetry Reading! Shop in-store and online, and 10% will go to Torch Literary Arts. Learn more Poetry Workshop: Chewing on the Alphabet & Stealing from the Best with Lynne Thompson Thu, Oct 09 Zoom Learn more Torch at the Decatur Book Festival Sat, Oct 04 Downtown Decatur, GA Stop by booth #76 and learn more about Torch Literary Arts! Learn more In Conversation with Sonja Perryman Sat, Sep 13 Zoom Sonja Perryman is an award-winning associate producer for Hulu's East Los High and screenwriter for the Amazon Prime drama, Cross. Learn more Tending the Flame Thu, Aug 28 Zoom Webinar Celebrating 19 Years of Torch Literary Arts with Lenelle Moïse, Kelly Harris-DeBerry, Amina Gautier, and Amanda Johnston. Learn more 2025 Torch Fellows Reading Thu, Jul 24 Carver Museum Retreat fellows will read from their major works-in-progress. Learn more Welcome Table Talk - Stories from our Past: Genealogy as Creative Inspiration Tue, Jul 15 Webinar with Remica Bingham-Risher and Daryl Cumber Dance, moderated by Maryemma Graham Learn more Creative Community Talk: Austin Arts & Culture Funding Sat, Jul 12 Future Front Learn more Bloomsday and Beyond featuring Emma Dabiri, author of Twisted: The Tangled History of Black Hair Culture Tue, Jun 24 Book People Learn more Load More

< Back Dr. Sequoia Maner Board Chair Dr. Sequoia Maner is an Assistant Professor of English at Spelman College where she teaches classes about 20-21st century African American literature and culture. She is the author of the prize-winning poetry chapbook Little Girl Blue (2021, Host Publications) and co-editor of the book Revisiting the Elegy in the Black Lives Matter Era (2020, Routledge). Sequoia’s 33 1/3 book about Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly debuted summer 2022 (Bloomsbury). Her poem “upon reading the autopsy of Sandra Bland” was a finalist for the 2017 Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Prize and her essays, poems, and reviews can be found in venues such as Meridians , Obsidian , The Langston Hughes Review , The Feminist Wire , Auburn Avenue , and elsewhere. She is at work on a poetic memoir about the foster care system in Los Angeles.

< Back Torch Feature Yael Valencia Aldana Receives Pushcart Prize May 31, 2024 For the second year in a row, a Torch Feature has received a Pushcart Prize for their amazing work published in Torch Magazine. AUSTIN, Tex., May 31, 2024 – Torch Literary Arts is thrilled to announce that Yael Valencia Aldana has been awarded the Pushcart Prize for “ Black Person Head Bob ” published June 9, 2023, as a Torch Friday Feature! Her poem will be published in Pushcart Prize XLIX , the 49th edition. Yael Valencia Aldana is a Caribbean Afro-Latinx writer and poet. She is a descendant of the indigenous people of modern-day Colombia. Her work has appeared or is upcoming in Typehouse, South Florida Poetry Journal, Cutbank Journal, and Slag Glass City, among others . She teaches creative writing in South Florida, where she lives with her son and too many pets. You can visit her website and follow her on Instagram and Twitter . This is the second year that a Torch Feature has received a Pushcart Prize. Torch considers all accepted features for external award nominations. We accept submissions of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and script (plays and screenplays) by Black women writers on a rolling basis. You can learn more about our submission guidelines 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, workshops, an annual retreat, and special events. Help Torch continue to publish and promote Black women writers by donating today. About The Pushcart Prize The Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses series, published every year since 1976, is the most honored literary project in America - including Highest Honors from the American Academy of Arts and Letters . Since 1976, hundreds of presses and thousands of writers of short stories, poetry and essays have been represented in our annual collections. Each year most of the writers and many of the presses are new to the series. Every volume contains an index of past selections, plus lists of outstanding presses with addresses. Media Contact Information: Brittany Heckard Communications Associate bheckard@torchliteraryarts.org (512) 641-9251 Previous Next

< Back Torch Announces New Community Impact Member Donation Initiative Brittany Heckard May 28, 2025 The Community Impact Membership (CIM) program provides Torch’s monthly donors of at least $10 and annual donors of at least $100 with exclusive items and updates. At Torch, our mission is to uplift Black women writers through building a community where they are seen and heard. Our community, like our impact, is large and intentional. It is filled with emerging and experienced writers, lovers of authentic storytelling, and our supporters. A special group of supporters we want to acknowledge moving forward is our individual donors who give monthly and annually to fuel our mission. Individual giving strengthens our revenue stream with direct, unrestricted contributions. According to Giving USA’s 2024 Annual Report , individual donors accounted for 67% of total charitable donations in 2023. To say thank you to our individual donors, we’re introducing our Community Impact Membership (CIM) program for donors who give at least $10 monthly or $100 annually. CIMs will also receive various benefits depending on their sustainer level, including gifts like Torch stickers, T-shirts, event benefits, and more! You can check out our Community Impact Sustainer Levels and their benefits below. Community Impact Member Sustainer Levels Torch Community – $10 Monthly or $120 Annually Torch Sticker Monthly Newsletter Invitation to the Torch End of Year Celebration Invitation to Special Events Acknowledgment on our Website and in the Annual Report Torch Friend – $25 Monthly or $300 Annually Firestarter: Collection of Torch Writing Prompts (downloadable) Plus, all Community Member Benefits Torch Ally – $50 Monthly or $600 Annually Invitation to Torch Mixers Classic Torch Shirt Plus, all Community & Friend Member Benefits Torch Advocate – $100 Monthly or $1,200 Annually Limited Edition Broadside (high-quality print) Plus, all Community, Friend & Ally Member Benefits Torch Sustainer – $210 Monthly or $2,500 Annually Reserved Premium Seating Invitation to Exclusive Author Receptions Plus, all Community, Friend, Ally, and Advocate Member Benefits Torch Champion – $425 Monthly or $5,000 Annually Event Program Recognition Wall Recognition Plus, all Community, Friend, Ally, Advocate, and Sustainer Member Benefits All of the CIM donations are 100% tax-deductible. You can become a CIM by choosing one of the sustainer levels on our donation page at 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. Previous Next

Torch Literary Arts' annual impact and financial reports. 2024-2026 Strategic Plan In the fall of 2023, Torch Literary Arts began a strategic planning process, a first in the organization's history, to prepare for the future and chart a path of continued growth and success in fulfilling Torch's mission to create advancement opportunities for Black women writers. This three-year plan outlines the strategic priorities for Torch Literary Arts' board of directors, leadership and team, and community stakeholders. The strategic plan is a commitment to intentional and responsible growth to meet the needs of Torch's community today and tomorrow. Join us in the process and mark your calendar to celebrate Torch Literary Arts' 20th anniversary in 2026! Annual Reports 2022 Annual Report IRS Form 990

< Back Celebrating Black History & Futures 24/7, 366 days Brittany Heckard Feb 9, 2024 This Black History Month, Torch acknowledges the importance of amplifying Black women writers year-round. What does Black History Month mean to an organization dedicated to Black women? Is our work quantifiable? Do we use these 28 (this year, 29) days to amplify the work we’ve BEEN doing? For us, this month is a reminder to the world that we’re here, and we’re not going anywhere. Storytelling is Black women’s tool for preserving history. Torch started in 2006 with a mission to amplify Black women writers across the diaspora. We all have impactful stories to tell, yet are continuously undermined in publishing, literary awards, and general recognition. The National Endowment for the Arts found that around 25% of adult readers are people of color . However, according to the New York Times, from 1950 to 2018, 95% of published fiction books were written by white authors . This lack of diversity and representation in publishing is why Torch exists. Torch’s work to establish a community for Black women writers these past 18 years laid the foundation for our nonprofit status in 2022. However, establishing a foundation and continuity as a nonprofit is only the first step of our journey toward sustainability. Historically, Black-led nonprofit organizations are underfunded. According to Young, Black & Giving Back Institute, most Black-led nonprofits operate on a budget of less than $500,000 annually , relying mostly on volunteer and part-time work. Despite the institutional ebbs and flows of Black recognition and diversity suppression, Torch remains a community dedicated to achieving our mission. In 2023 alone, we held 12 special events, hosted 5 workshops, started our inaugural Torch Retreat , gathered for 3 Wildfire Reading series, and published 41 Black women. And yes, all of our Torch Features get paid for their work. Without you attending our events, donating to our fundraisers, and sharing our Features’ works, we wouldn’t be able to continue on the visionary journey of paying Black women and amplifying our stories. Thank you for your contribution year-round. To Black Futures, The Torch Team Donate to Support Torch and Amplify Black Women Writers Previous Next

Torch's annual retreat for Black women writers with works-in-progress across poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and script. Fellows enjoy a week-long stay at the Colton House Hotel in Austin, TX where they can write, rest, and dream. 2027 Torch Retreat July 18 - 25, Austin, TX Torch Literary Arts is proud to provide our annual creative writing retreat. We welcome applications from Black women writers with major works-in-progress across poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction (memoir or lyric essays), and script (plays or screenplays). The Torch Retreat will return in 2027. We invite everyone to A Gathering of Flames: Celebrating 20 Years of Torch Literary Arts on September 25-27, 2026. Applications Are Closed Amplifying Black Women Writers Since 2006 Dedicated Writing Time Fellows receive plenty of time for dedicated writing devoted to their works-in-progress. We gently support you in your writing goals for the week by providing group check-ins and the opportunity to share your progress in a nurturing environment. Comfortable Accommodations Your comfort matters. The Colton House Hotel was carefully selected as the property for the Torch retreat to provide fellows with a plush environment where they may dream and write freely. Financial Support There is no fee to apply or attend the retreat. Each fellow will receive a $1,000 stipend to assist with travel, supplies, childcare, or anything else that helps make it possible for fellows to attend regardless of financial ability. Your Stay in Austin, TX Retreat fellows will stay at the beautiful Colton House Hotel . Accommodations include a private bedroom and bathroom in a two-bedroom suite with a shared living room and full kitchen. During your week-long retreat, you will receive dedicated writing time, breakfast and lunch provided, and ample time during the afternoons and evenings to rest, recharge, enjoy the hotel amenities, or explore the city. The retreat will also include guest speakers and a public reading by fellows at the end of the week. View photos from past retreats here . 2025 Torch Retreat Fellows 2024 Torch Retreat Fellows 2023 Torch Retreat Fellows

< Back Parneshia Jones Advisory Board Member Parneshia Jones is an award-winning poet and publisher. Jones serves as Director for Northwestern University Press and acquires poetry for the TriQuarterly Books and Seminary Co-op Offsets imprints. Her acquisitions have garnered some of the highest literary honors, including the National Book Award, Kingsley Tufts, Pulitzer Prize finalists, Hurston Wright Legacy Awards, NAACP Image Awards, L.A. Times Book Award, and others. Jones is the author of Vessel: Poems (Milkweed Editions), winner of the Midwest Book Award and featured as one of “12 Books to Savor” by O, The Oprah Magazine. She has been honored with the Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Award, the Margaret Walker Short Story Award, and the Aquarius Press Legacy Award. Named one of the “25 Writers to Watch” by the Guild Complex and one of “Lit 50: Who Really Books in Chicago” by Newcity Magazine, her work has appeared in anthologies including, She Walks in Beauty: A Woman’s Journey Through Poems and The Ringing Ear: Black Poets Lean South . Jones has been featured on PBS Newshour, the Academy of American Poets, espnW, and an international poetry exchange in Seoul, South Korea and sponsored by DreamYard. She previously served as Board President for the Cave Canem Foundation and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Poetry Foundation and advisory board for Shorefront Legacy Center. She resides in her native home, Evanston, IL.

Torch Literary Arts' digital publication, Torch Magazine, publishes, promotes, and archives creative writing by Black women. Archive Explore Torch Features from 2022 to the present. Click images below for Torch Magazine 2006 to 2016. *All back issues are being reformatted. Digital versions will be available. Subscribe to our e-newsletter for updates. Torch Magazine Features A. E. Wynter Adriene Cruz Adrienne Dawes Aisha Sharif Ajanaé Dawkins Alexa Patrick Alexis Pauline Gumbs Alma Simba Almah LaVon Rice Ambata Kazi-Nance Amina Gautier Ana-Maurine Lara Anastacia-Reneé Andrea "Vocab" Sanderson Angel C. Dye Angela Redmond-Theodore April Sojourner Truth Walker Ari Foster Ariana Brown Arianne Elena Payne Aricka Foreman Ariel Moniz Arisa White Ashunda Norris Benin Lemus Bettina Judd Beverly Chukwu Bianca Spriggs Boloere Seibidor Brandy Victoria Brianna Johnson Brittany Rogers C. Prudence Arceneaux C. Jean Blain c.r. glasgow Camara Aaron Camille Hernandez Camille Dungy Carletta Carrington Wilson Celeste Doaks Chanda Feldman Chantal James Charla Lauriston Chidima Anekwe Chiyuma Elliott Christina Springer Chyann Hector Cieara Estelle Cindy Elizabeth Clynthia Burton Graham Colleen J. McElroy Crystal Wilkinson Crystal Williams Cynthia Manick Damilola Omotoyinbo Dana Tenille Weekes darlene anita scott Dawn Okoro Deborah Mouton DeLana Dameron Demitrice Worley DeShara Shuggs-Joe Desiree S. Evans Destiny Birdsong devorah major Donika Kelly Dolen Perkins-Valdez E.J. Antonio Ebony Stewart Edythe Rodriguez Ehigbor Okosun Elisha Mykelti Elizabeth Alexander Elizabeth de Souza Erica Fredrick Erica Nicole Griffin Esther Kondo Heller Evie Shockley Fatihah Quadri Fatimah-Ayan Hirsi Faylita Hicks Felicia A. Rivers francine j. harris Gail Upchurch Glenis Redmond Hannah Olabosibe Eko Hermine Pinson Imani Nikelle Isha Camara Jacinda Townsend Jacquese Armstrong Jade Foster Jamey Hatley Jane Alberdeston Coralin Jasmine R Butler Jenelle Samuels Jennifer Coley Jennifer Falu Jennifer Price Jessica Araújo Jonterri Gadson Jordan E. Franklin Julia Mallory Juliet P. Howard K. Deneá Stewart-Shaheed Ka'Dia Dhatnubia Kailah Figueroa Kameryn Alexa Carter Katy Richey Keli Stewart Kelly Norman Ellis Kelly Harris DeBerry Khadijah AbdulHaqq Khalisa Rae Kimberly Dixon Kindall Gant Krista Franklin LaTasha N. Nevada Diggs LaToya Watkins Lauren K. Alleyne Lauri Conner Lenelle Moïse Lilian Oben Linda Susan Jackson Lisa B. Thompson Lor Clincy Lydia Mathis Lynne Thompson Madison Hunter Mahogany L. Browne Mary Weems Mecca Jamilah Sullivan Melanie Henderson Melissa Jones Metta Sama Mildred Lewis Mon Misir Monique Harris Monique-Adelle Callahan Nadia Alexis Nancy Shakir Natalie Graham Natasha Trethewey Natasha Ria El-Scari Natiesha Evans Nehassaiu deGannes Nicole Goodwin Nicole Sealey Nijla Mu'min Nikki Patin Nita Jade Obi Nwizu Octavia Washington Parneshia Jones Patricia Smith Rachel Eliza Griffiths Rahma O. Jimoh Raina J. León Remica L. Bingham-Risher Renee Breeden Rio Cortez Rochelle Robinson-Dukes Rohanna Ssanyu Ruth Ellen Kocher Sabrina Spence Saida Agostini Sami Schalk Samiya Bashir Sandra Jackson-Opoku Sapphire Savannah Balmir Senalka McDonald Shams Alkamil Sharon Bridgforth Sharon Dennis Wyeth Sharyon Culberson Shay Youngblood Shayla Lawson Shayla Hawkins Shia Shabazz Smith Shinelle L. Espaillat Shirley May Sydney Mayes t'ai freedom ford Tafisha Edwards Talicha J. Tameka Cage Conley Tanya Shirley Tara Betts Tatiana Johnson-Boria Tayari Jones Taylor Lena McTootle Taylor Lauren Davis Teri Ellen Cross Davis Toi Derricotte Toni Asante Lightfoot Torie Mchelle Toyin Odutola Tyra Douyon Valoneecia Tolbert Venus Alemanji Victoria Adams-Kennedy Wendy S. Walters Whitney French Wura-Natasha Ogunji Yael Valencia Aldana Yalonda JD Green Yolaine M. St.Fort Yona Harvey Yunina Barbour Payne zakia henderson-brown Zaynab Iliyasu Bobi Zoë Gadegbeku *Names of Torch Magazine features are updated monthly.

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Torch Literary Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that creates advancement opportunities for Black women writers. Contact Torch First Name Last Name Email Address Phone (entering gives Torch permission to contact you) Write a message Submit Thanks for submitting! Torch Literary Arts 6406 N Interstate 35 Frontage Rd Suite 1807 Austin, TX 78752 Available by Appointment Only Contact for Torch Center Rental Inquiries Email: contact@torchliteraryarts.org Phone: (512) 641-9251