named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Color of Children's Literature Conference
Annual conference offering craft workshops, keynote sessions, and networking opportunities for emerging writers of color in children's literature
Manuscript Critique Program
Provides participants with feedback on their writing from agents, editors, and experienced writers during the annual conference
Virtual Masterclasses
Series of online instructional sessions led by established authors and industry professionals covering various aspects of writing and publishing
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Emerging Filmmaker Support Programs 3 activities
- "Sing the Truth!" mentorship programOperates a year-long mentorship program for emerging BIPOC writers and illustrators of children's and young adult literature, including free conference admission and structured mentorship launched in 2021.
- Individualized writing support servicesProvides individualized editing support and manuscript/portfolio critique services to emerging BIPOC writers, with structured submission deadlines.
- Year-long writer fellowshipsOffers year-long fellowships that provide artistic and professional development support to emerging BIPOC writers, including mentorship and educational programming.
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Literary Events & Workshops 3 activities
- Annual hybrid literary festivals and conferencesHosts annual hybrid events including the Kweli International Literary Festival and the Color of Children’s Literature Conference, featuring in-person and virtual programming such as readings, craft talks, workshops, and masterclasses; recent events have been held at Teachers College, Columbia University, and New York Law School.
- Writing retreats and multimedia eventsOrganizes writing retreats and seasonal multimedia readings and performances at venues such as Akwaaba Mansion, providing creative space and public platforms for BIPOC writers.
- Writing workshops and masterclassesHosts multi-session writing workshops, craft talks, and virtual masterclasses for emerging BIPOC writers, with small class sizes to ensure an intimate learning environment; topics include novel revision, voice, scene structure, and writing for children and young adults.
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Educator Training in Equity and Inclusion 1 activity
- Collaborative partnerships for literacy and racial equityPartners with organizations including the Children's Book Council, Every Child a Reader, The Graduate Center CUNY, and Teachers College to promote diverse children's literature, literacy, and racial equity in education.
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Literary and Cultural Publishing 1 activity
- Publication of quarterly literary journalProduces and publishes a quarterly online literary journal featuring fiction, nonfiction, and poetry by emerging Black, Indigenous, and writers of color, with four issues released annually.
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Cultural Exchange and Community Integration Events 1 activity
- Specialized community writing programsPartners with community organizations such as the Asian Arts Initiative to create targeted writing programs, including Sanctuary: A Migrant Poetry Workshop for immigrant poets in Philadelphia.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Anthology co-editing and literary researchCo-edited the 2017 anthology *Best of Kweli: An Aster(ix) Anthology*, representing a research and curatorial contribution to BIPOC literary scholarship.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$198K
Contributions & grants$136K69%
Program service revenue$62K31%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$234K
Program expenses88%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$28K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$63K
Cash$13K
Investments$0
Liabilities$3K
Net assets$60K
Liquid reserves0.7 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +8.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 9
- ALISON MEYERS — TREASURER
- CHIKA UNIGWE — DIRECTOR
- CLEM RICHARDSON — DIRECTOR
- EMILY MEI LAU — DIRECTOR
- IWALANI KIM — DIRECTOR
- LAURA PEGRAM — EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- MORAN SHEKEL — DIRECTOR
- NEELA VASWANI — SECRETARY
- OZIER MUHAMMAD — BOARD VICE PRESIDENT
relationships · 36
Who they work with
- Akwaaba Bed and Breakfast Inns Partner — Hospitality partner providing space for retreats and gatherings of diasporic writers.
- Akwaaba Mansion Partner — Hosts a series of anniversary celebration events in June 2026 honoring prominent authors.
- Asian Arts Initiative Partner — Collaborated to create Sanctuary: A Migrant Poetry Workshop for immigrant poets in Philadelphia.
- Ballet Hispánico Partner — Cultural partner in promoting diasporic artistic expression.
- Brittle Paper Partner — Literary partner in amplifying African and diaspora writing.
- Children’s Book Council Partner — Collaborative partner in promoting diverse voices in children's literature.
- Cozbi A. Cabrera Partner — Featured contributor in the "Sing the Truth!" blog series, sharing personal insights on storytelling and motherhood.
- Danielle Evans Partner — Guest editor who solicited and screened work for publication in 2014
- Debbie Reese Partner — Featured contributor in the "Sing the Truth!" blog series, sharing reflections on identity and place tied to Nambé.
- Denene Millner Partner — Featured contributor in the "Sing the Truth!" blog series, discussing the process of creating books as "book babies."
- Edmund W. Gordon Institute for Urban and Minority Education Partner — Collaborates on educational equity and urban minority education initiatives.
- Every Child a Reader Partner — Partner in supporting children's literacy and access to books.
- GlobalWrites Network — Board member organization that promotes literacy through technology and performing arts in U.S. schools.
- Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center Partner — Hosted role as Theater Arts Director from 2006 to 2011.
- Jeffery Renard Allen Partner — Guest editor who solicited and screened work for publication in 2014
- Jennine Capó Crucet Partner — Guest editor who solicited and screened work for publication in 2014
- Laura Pegram Partner — Kweli Founding Editor and Publisher who leads the Art of the Short Story Workshop.
- Lee & Low Books Partner — Collaborative relationship through staff affiliation and shared mission in promoting diverse children's literature.
- Leeway Foundation Funder — Provided an Art and Change Grant in 2017 to support a migrant poetry workshop initiative.
- Lissette Norman Partner — Mentor in the "Sing the Truth!" mentorship program, supporting mentee Ntobie Ndzabukelwako in developing a picture book.
- Macondo Writer’s Foundation Network — Member of a writers' foundation supporting socially engaged literature.
- NYC Men Teach Partner — Partner in supporting diversity in the teaching profession.
- NYC My Brother’s Keeper Partner — Partner in advancing opportunities for boys and young men of color.
- Neela Vaswani Partner — Mentor in the "Sing the Truth!" mentorship program, providing guidance to mentee Chaya Bhuvaneswar.
- New York Law School Partner — Hosts the in-person Opening Weekend of the Kweli International Literary Festival.
- New York Law School Partner — Provides space for the in-person sessions of the 2026 Children's Literature Conference.
- Nivea Castro Partner — Private art collector whose work, African Women by Varnette P. Honeywood, was featured as cover art for the July 2026 issue.
- Rubén Degollado Partner — Featured contributor in the "Sing the Truth!" blog series, discussing character voice and narrative authenticity.
- Taylor & Co Books Partner — Bookseller partner supporting access to diverse literary works.
- Teachers College Partner — Collaborates on racial literacy and educational equity initiatives.
+ 6 more
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Centering Marginalized Narratives to Advance Racial Literacymethodology: racial-literacyBy centering the historical and lived truths of marginalized communities in literary programming and education, we advance racial literacy and transform understanding of systemic inequity, because narrative representation is foundational to cognitive and emotional recognition of injustice.
- Community-Driven Literary Empowerment for BIPOC Writersmethodology: community-driven_artistic_empowermentBy creating culturally affirming, exclusive spaces for BIPOC writers and fostering community through rigorous artistic programming, we empower marginalized voices and amplify their impact, because belonging and artistic excellence together enable sustainable creative development and public influence.
- Inclusive Literary Programming for Intergenerational Amplificationmethodology: inclusive_literary_programmingBy programming established and emerging writers of color together, we validate emerging voices through intergenerational solidarity and shared excellence, because visibility within respected literary spaces reinforces legitimacy and public engagement with urgent social narratives.
- Mentorship and Industry Access as Pathway to Representationmethodology: mentorship-and-industry-accessBy connecting emerging BIPOC writers with established authors, agents, and publishers through fellowships and conferences, we increase professional visibility and career advancement, because direct access to gatekeepers and sustained mentorship disrupts systemic barriers in publishing.
- Poetry and Storytelling as Resistance and Cultural Continuitymethodology: poetry-as-resistanceBy using poetry and family-centered storytelling as tools of resistance and cultural expression, we affirm identity and challenge dominant narratives, because creative forms rooted in lived experience sustain marginalized worldviews and foster intergenerational resilience.