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.