Torch is elated to celebrate National Poetry Month and the Black women poets in our community.

Dalia Azim joins the Torch board, bringing her expertise in literary programming and partnerships in the Austin literary community.

The inaugural gala and conference will feature Rachel Eliza Griffiths, Sharon Bridgforth, Patricia Smith, and Crystal Wilkinson from September 25-27, 2026, in Austin, Texas.

This year’s Women’s History Month Theme urges us to celebrate women who are taking charge in regard to sustainability, and this International Women’s Day urges us to give to gain.

For four days, Torch will join other writing organizations, writers, publishers, students, and more at the largest literary conference in the country.

Torch adds a new position, Administrative Associate, to help with daily operations and support the needs of Torch Center.

The two organizations will amplify a series of film screenings showcasing Black women screenwriters, directors, and films that reflect Black culture.

This year’s Black History Month theme, “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” urges us to acknowledge the historical impact of Black narratives.

Torch’s Spring 2026 Season builds on the history we've made in our 20 years of strengthening the literary community of Black women writers.

This board transition includes the retirement of former board treasurer, Candace Lopez, election of new board treasurer, Dana Weekes, and the election of new board secretary, Rachel Winston.

Torch joins over 700 nonprofits during Amplify Austin to raise funds for Black women writers.

Taking the time to thank you all for your support in 2025 and share exciting news for 2026.

Taking time to thank you all for your support in 2025 and share plans to end the year strong.

In 2025, seven major funders supported Torch’s mission to amplify Black women writers.

Joining one of the largest international giving days, Torch raised $5,593.

Six Torch Features, Jordan E. Franklin, Joi' C Weathers, Imani Nikelle, Yolanda Kwadey, Jennifer Maritza McCauley, and Marchaé Grair are nominated for their respective works.

Torch is joining millions around the world participating in the global generosity movement on December 2, 2025.

Over two days, Torch will host poets Tiana Clark and Donika Kelly in Austin for a series of inspiring readings and conversations.

This board transition includes the retirement of former board secretary, Stephanie Lang, and the election of new board member, Rachel Winston

Two Torch Features, Jennifer Coley and Jessica Araújo, are nominated for their respective short fiction stories.

Torch Literary Arts encourages families and individuals with donor-advised funds to consider supporting Black women writers and the programs we offer.

Eleven Torch Features were nominated for their works in creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and visual art in Torch Magazine.

The local Austin nonprofit organization dedicated to building community for Black women writers will now have a physical location at the LINC of Austin.

Torch’s Fall 2025 Season includes dynamic readings, a screenwriting conversation, book festivals, workshops, and more!

“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.

Torch is celebrating 19 years of community and impact with CIM goals, new updates, and more!

June is a month full of pride for queer, Caribbean, and song-filled Black women writers and the readers who love them.

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.

Torch returns for a third consecutive year to host eight fellows at their annual retreat for Black women writers at the Colton House in Austin, Texas, from July 20-27, 2025.

Continuing on months of celebrating Black History Month and Women’s History Month, we’re keeping the acknowledgments alive with National Poetry Month

This is the first-ever Writing Organization Award by the Association of Writers & Writing Programs, which is awarded to literary organizations based on the legacy of writing organization advocate Kurt Brown.

Torch’s “Writers Across the Diaspora” program in partnership with the Irish Consulate, Culture Ireland, and Texas State University was highlighted.

This year’s themes of moving forward together and accelerating change reinforce Torch’s mission to ALWAYS support Black women writers and the stories they share.

Joining over 700 nonprofits for one of the largest giving days in Central Texas, Torch raised over $6,000 to amplify Black women writers worldwide.

For the third year in a row, Torch is participating in Austin’s metro-wide giving day to merge the Black women literary community with the wider Austin giving community.

The two literary organizations dedicated to creating community for Black women writers will host a series of talks over the next three years thanks to funding from the Mellon Foundation.

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.

Torch’s 2025 Spring Season is full of community collaborations, readings, writing workshops, and more to empower and encourage Black women to continue telling their stories.

The Torch Retreat will host its third annual writing retreat for Black women writers at the Colton House in Austin, Texas from July 20-27, 2025.

The Cultural Arts Division awarded $13 million in funds to local arts and cultural organizations for a second year with Thrive and Elevate grants.

Dr. Omi Osun Joni L. Jones joined the board in 2023 bringing her expertise as an artist, performer, author, and scholar to help support Black women writers.

Taking the time to thank you all for your support in 2024 and share exciting news for 2025

Find out how to support Torch and our community sponsors and supporters this holiday season!

Joining one of the largest international giving days, Torch surpassed its fundraising goal of $5,000.

Torch is joining millions around the world participating in the global generosity movement on December 3, 2024.

Six Torch Features, Erica Frederick, A. E. Wynter, Sydney Mayes, Chidima Anekwe, Chyann Hector, and Mon Misir, are nominated for their respective works.

20 Torch community members were named Living Legacy Honorees

Over two days, Torch will host poet, essayist, and novelist Morgan Parker and Los Angeles Poet Laureate Lynne Thompson, and embark on a literary book crawl showcasing the works of the organization’s previous features.

Thanks to capacity-building funding, Torch adds a Creative Content Associate and Administrative Fellow to the Team.

This October, Torch is celebrating National Book Month with Torch Day, an inaugural international program, and much more!

Nine Torch Features were nominated for their works in creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and visual art in Torch Magazine.

The National Book Foundation awarded Torch funding from the Capacity-Building Grant Program.

Two Torch Features, Felicia A. Rivers and Lydia Mathis, are nominated for their respective short fiction stories.

Torch’s 2024 Fall Season includes international poets, a screenwriting panel, workshops on character building and memoirs, the Wildfire Reading Series, and more!

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.

Erin was welcomed to the board in June, bringing her extensive background in development communications.

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.

This is Torch's third year receiving the grant that serves Central Texas arts, education, historical preservation, and environmental sustainability causes.

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!

For the second year in a row, a Torch Feature has received a Pushcart Prize for their amazing work published in Torch Magazine.

This is Torch's second year receiving funding from National Endowment for the Arts. Funding will go towards artist honorariums for retreats, workshops, panels, and readings.

Eight fellows were selected to attend the second annual retreat for Black women writers at the Colton House in Austin, Texas from July 21-28, 2024.

Dana Weekes was welcomed to the board in March, bringing her extensive background in law and policy, and commitment to creation as self-care.

Every April, Torch is elated to celebrate the Black women who put words to feelings by celebrating National Poetry Month

Torch Literary Arts updates website to include transparency documents including IRS Form 990s, Annual Reports, and the 2024-2026 Strategic Plan.

Torch Literary Arts acknowledges and celebrates the many literary contributions of women to history and the wonderful Black women writers across the diaspora.

The Torch Retreat will host its second annual writing retreat for Black women writers at the Colton House in Austin, Texas from July 21-28, 2024.

This Black History Month, Torch acknowledges the importance of amplifying Black women writers year-round.

The Black Fund’s recognition of Torch Literary Arts as a grant partner allows Torch to continue hosting special events for Black women writers in the Austin community.

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.

This year’s board transition includes the retirement of former board chair, Florinda Bryant, and elections of new board chair, Dr. Sequoia Maner, new secretary, Stephanie Lang, and new board member, Shannon Johnson

Torch will use the Culture Ireland funding to host Irish poets Nithy Kasa and FELISPEAKS for interactive writing workshops from October 1-7, 2024.