Over Twenty Years of Gathering & Supporting LGBTQ+ Artists & Writers of African Descent
“I might stand here before you tonight at this historic conference and invoke, by way of paraphrase, the well-wrought words of our departed sister/mother Audre Lorde: that, like some of you, I am a black gay writer doing my very best to do my work, come to tell you that I know many of you are doing yours – that work, its urgency and necessity, that has, at last, brought us here, in each other’s company, together.”
–Thomas Glave, Fire & Ink: Toward Quest for Language, History, and a Moral Imagination, Keynote Address, Fire & Ink, University of Illinois Chicago, September 21, 2002
Fire & Inkwell :: A Return
We gather once again to build a unified body of writers and artists who can teach, inspire, share encouragement and networking opportunities, and develop effective strategies for sustaining the lives and work of LGBTQ+ artists and writers of African descent.
Through professional development, direct support, and advocacy, we seek to expand the market for our work nationally and internationally and defend us all against increasing attacks on our work, communities, and lives.
At every turn, Black LGBTQ+ writers and artists have already expressed extreme jubilation at the resurgence of our movement.
A deep bench of support already exists. Over the next few years, it will be stretched wider than ever.
Hue and cry.
Everywhere I go students and poets, writers, readers, teachers, publishers, artists, and even my optometrist all crave what Fire & Ink offered and delivered. We don’t gather here and now to commemorate the past but to embrace the present with a renewed sense of purpose and passion. We stand on the shaky precipice of a new era, where the power of all of our words in all of our languages to inspire, to provoke, and to unite has never been more vital.
— Samiya Bashir, A Founding Organizer
Making History: Fire & Ink
Fire & Ink was the first ever gathering specifically for LGBTQ+ writers of African descent. Fire & Ink brought together writers, thinkers, readers, teachers, and publishing and media professionals to discuss the position and importance of African diasporic LGBTQ+ literature while developing avenues to advocate for the work and its makers.
Over 16 years Fire & Ink gathered thousands of writers for festivals, workshops, readings, meetings, and salons, partnering with movement organizations and cultural partners and programmers across the country. .
Unfortunately, its initial organizing model was unsustainable. Run for nearly two decades on volunteer power alone and without significant philanthropic funding or support, the Board of Directors chose to disband the organization in 2018. It’s return is long overdue.
Why Fire & Inkwell
Restoring Fire & Inkwell (Formerly Fire & Ink, Inc.) is critical in this moment because Black LGBTQ writers remain in the very particular crosshairs of intersecting communities on the margins, each fighting ongoing attacks on Black, queer, and trans books and cultural programming. Our new organizational name connects the organization with its history while symbolizing and affirming an even deeper commitment to organizational growth and community advocacy and support.
Books by and about LGBTQ and Black people remain the top books being banned in challenges across the country.
Preservation is key. What Fire & Ink built, upon which Fire & Inkwell is building, is something uniquely and historically important. It must be preserved, expanded upon, and made available to new generations.
Fire & Inkwell understands the importance of collecting, reflecting, and creating our literary histories while working to build into the future. Fire & Inkwell is committed to establishing, connecting, and building comprehensive archives of Black LGBTQ+ literatures, laying the groundwork for the study and creation of all of the new work to come.
Take Action
Ready to take the next step? You can become a contributor to our cause, or participate yourself.
As we build this new organization we are eager to partner with individuals and organizations aligned with our mission, our values, and our goals.
The old saw about time, talent, and treasure holds — we will need all three, working together, to do this work right.
Join us!