Our History

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. 

FOUNDING BOARD MEMBERS (2001/2002)

  • Samiya Bashir

  • Sharon Bridgforth

  • C.C. Carter

  • Dorothy Randall Gray

  • Reginald Harris

  • G. Winston James

  • Lisa C. Moore 

ADDITIONAL BOARD & LEADERSHIP (2009-2018)

  • Steven J. “Lula-Bell” Fields

  • Steven G. Fullwood

  • Anthony R.G. Hardaway

  • Matais Pouncil

  • Almah Lavon Rice

  • Shawn(ta) Smith-Cruz

Pamela Sneed | Letta Neely | Deardria Nesbitt | Matais Pouncil | Retha Powers | Matt Richardson | Derrick D. Pete | Robert Reid-Pharr | Shawn Stewart Ruff | Abigail A. Sewell | Byron S. Stewart | Duncan E. Teague | Gregory Victorianne | Robin G. White | Karen Williams | Samuel R. Delaney | Staceyann Chin | Darice Clark | Charlene Cothran | Cheryl Clarke | R. Erica Doyle | K. Godfrey Easter | Sanford E. Gaylor | Ronaldo V. Wilson | Thomas Glave | Anthony Hardaway | James Earl Hardy | Rev. Dr. Shirlene Holmes | Charles I. Nero | Reginald Shepherd | Dorothy Randall Gray | Rhea Seals | Charlotte Henay | Erin Sharkey | L’Oreal Snell | Venus Thrash | Donna Allegra | Pamela S. Booker | Keith Boykin | Sidney Brinkley | Sharon Bridgforth | Laurinda D. Brown | Lynnell Stephani Long | Michelle Parkerson | Thomas Wirth | Kimberly Jones | Yoruba Richen | Ana-Maurine Lara | Linda Villarosa | Alexis DeVeaux | Rosamond S. King | Duriel E. Harris | Alexis Pauline Gumbs | Sangodare Wallace | Nzere Lipscomb | Doug Cooper Spencer | Jonathan Bailey | Earthlyn Manuel | David Neale | Charles Rice González | Akhaji Zakiya | Phillip B. Williams | Dr. Herukhuti | D. Andrea Jenkins | J.P. Howard | Bettina Judd | Rickey Laurentiis | Khi Armand | Dr. Gloria I. Joseph | Clara Villarosa | Akira Charles | Rev. Irene Moore | Bruce Morrow | Reginald Harris | Zanele Muholi | Anyanwu | Stephen Winter | Kagendo Murungi | Ola Osaze | Steven G. Fullwood | Shawn(ta) Smith | Khi Armand | Langston Kahn | Laura Harris | Lisa C. Moore | Renita Martin | Dwight A. McBride | Natasha Miller | Jade Foster | Eli Turner | Marvin K. White | Francisco White | Tabias Wilson | Sheree L. Greer | Fiona Zedde | Ashley Young | Thomas Allen Harris | Ernest Hardy | Tisa Bryant | Madeline Lim | Akilah Monifa | Randall Kenan | Djola Banner | Azure Osborne-Lee | Nia Witherspoon | Samiya Bashir | Jewelle Gomez | Sekiya Dorset | Kimberly Jones | John Keene | Nikky Finney | Yvonne Fly Onakeme | G. Winston James | Anthony Antoine | Shelagh Patterson | Linda Villarosa