At Literary Cleveland it is our mission to amplify marginalized voices—to place power into the hands of people and communities, giving them the platform to tell their own stories on their own terms. That is why this spring we are launching an ongoing series of programs we're calling Literary Cleveland Amplify Projects designed to empower, uplift, and celebrate our many stories. Our first project was a free class called The Future Is in Color: Intro to Afrofuturism, led by Isaiah Hunt. We also published two anthologies of local writing. Breaking the Silence: Queer Self, Life, and Love in Northeast Ohio, created by Alexander Saint Franqui, celebrated the wealth of perspectives in the queer and trans community of Greater Cleveland. Black Women Coping in Cleveland, created by Dr. Tisha Carter, highlighted the experiences and perspectives of Black women in the city. We will have more projects on the way. Stay tuned!

Literary Cleveland has suspended all in-person class meetings and events for the foreseeable future. Our goal is to keep everyone as healthy as possible and to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in order to protect the most vulnerable among us. BUT! To continue serving local writers and readers, we are providing free resources for writers in our weekly newsletter, offering publication opportunities through Gordon Square Review, and opening new online classes designed to keep you engaged with meaningful creative work and connected with your community. Hope to see you in person soon! Until then, stay healthy and keep writing!