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< Back Celebrate Torch’s 18th Birthday & Our Mission to Amplify Black Women Writers Brittany Heckard Aug 2, 2024 Our wish this August is to gain 18 new monthly recurring Torch supporters & more! Find out how to celebrate our birthday with events, well wishes, and donations. Do you know what this month is? It’s Torch’s Anniversary. Can you believe that we’re celebrating our 18th year of operations? We can! Mainly because since our inception in 2006, our community has been full of supportive, uplifting, and dedicated people who see and understand the importance of Black women writers. This Birthday Month, we want to turn it up a notch. After all, what 18th birthday isn’t full of fun? To celebrate our 18th birthday, our one birthday wish is to gain 18 new recurring monthly donors and one-time donations of $18 from our loving community. Growing our recurring givers helps us ensure that we are meeting our fundraising goals to provide the necessary support we offer Black women writers all over the world. Since our start in 2006, we’ve grown significantly, thanks to our Torch community! We’ve grown our staff to include part-time positions like associate editor, communications associate, programs associate, content fellow, programs fellow, and hopefully more. Our spring and fall seasons are filled with free workshops, readings, writing circles, monthly open mics, and special events and partnership. None of this could be possible without your support. August is also Black Philanthropy Month , an international giving day supporting Black-led nonprofits. Between our birthday and celebrating the network of other Black-led nonprofits, there’s so much to celebrate! Here are a few ways you can support Torch this month: Ways to Celebrate Torch’s 18th Birthday Help us gain 18 new recurring donors by donating here and “make it monthly!” Give a one-time donation of $18 or more here ! Want to personalize a happy birthday message? Submit one here . August 20th – Meet us at The Salon August 26th – Join our Writing Circle August 29th – Torch Virtual Panel (details coming soon) We can’t wait to celebrate this joyous month with you all! ### 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 Previous Next

< Back Celebrating a New Year with a Growing Community Jan 2, 2026 Taking the time to thank you all for your support in 2025 and share exciting news for 2026. Happy New Year! We made it to another year of celebrating Black women writers. Thanks to Torch community members like you, we raised $37,000 in individual giving support in 2025. We’re excited to see how much more we can accomplish in 2026 . These unrestricted contributions help us with programming, sustaining the organization, paying Torch features, and much more. In 2026, we’re excited to: Open the Torch Center: Opening in February 2026, the Torch Center is our first physical location dedicated to Black women writers and doubling as a literary community and creative space for writers, creatives, and other community organizations. Hire a New Torch Team Member: Torch is hiring for an Administrative Associate position to work part-time at the Torch Center! You can find out more about the position here . Celebrate 20 years at A Gathering of Flames: Torch is celebrating 20 years of community with an intentional and transformative weekend full of programming for writers, lovers of the literary arts, and supporters of Torch’s mission from September 25-27. Sign up here for updates. Host our First Writing Circle of the Year: We know that one of your resolutions this year is to finish that project. Come write in community by joining us for the first Writing Circle of the year on January 12. Sign up here . 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 webinar here using this passcode: We!rL4%Y. This year, we're celebrating our community, from our first Torch Feature to our newest newsletter subscriber. We're excited to keep growing our community with intention and love. Here's to 2026! ### 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 Celebrate Pride Month by Amplifying Queer Black Voices Brittany Heckard Jun 5, 2024 At Torch, we recognize the many impactful contributions that queer Black women writers have given us and wish a Happy Pride to all those celebrating! Every June, we’re proud to say we’re an inclusive organization that welcomes and champions the voices of queer Black women and nonbinary writers across the diaspora. Self-expression is one of the freest ways to love yourself, and we want to thank every queer writer who has submitted to Torch and shared their work. This Pride Month, we want to acknowledge and amplify the journeys and queer experiences of our writers. Whether their work explicitly discusses being Black and queer or not, we want everyone to know their voice is celebrated at Torch. In celebrating queer voices, we want to challenge all of our readers to explore and read works from queer writers this and every month. Some of the most revolutionary creative non-fiction, heartfelt poems, and catchiest songs are written by queer Black voices! Torch is always dedicated to creating a welcoming space for queer folk, but this month we want you to join in! Below are a couple of different ways you can continue inspiring inclusion during Pride Month with Torch. Events Amplifying Queer Voices June 18th - The Salon June 28th - Say Word Read Work from Some of Torch Magazine’s Queer Features NitaJade Arisa White DeShara Suggs-Joe Ariana Brown Cindy Elizabeth ### 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 Erin Waelder Board Member Erin Waelder is a nonprofit arts professional in Austin, TX. As a member of the Development and Marketing teams at the Paramount & State Theatres, she helps manage annual fund campaigns, donor communications, and special content across the organization’s platforms. Erin has over a decade of experience in fundraising and patron services through her previous positions at Ballet Austin, the Paramount & State Theatres, and the Bullock Texas State History Museum. She is the immediate past Chair of the Community Advisor Board at Austin PBS and volunteers with Preservation Austin. Erin graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from St. Edward’s University. She is dedicated to creating meaningful connections to the community through storytelling and the arts.

< Back Sheree L. Ross Advisory Board Member Sheree L. Ross is an award-winning writer and Wealth Literacy Activist. She is founder of the popular social media platform Women Filmmakers of Color @womenfilmofcolr with over 18,000 followers on Twitter. Sheree is also the author of Affirming Life - A Daily Meditation and Affirming Business: For Career and Entrepreneurial Excellence. She was a co-writer for the Audible narrative drama, Loops, starring Vivica A. Fox, produced by Migrante Media, and her romantic comedy screenplay, Accidental Hearts, is in development with AdeRisa Productions. Sheree’s passion is around financial and wealth literacy, especially as it pertains to artists of color. She uses her metaphysical practice, business degree, and entrepreneurial background to push thought beyond perceived limitations towards more personal empowerment and success for Black women and queer people of color.

< 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

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