Dear Friends,

For more than 35 years, the Hurston/Wright Foundation has stood as a steadfast champion for Black writers and the stories that shape our culture, history, and collective imagination.

Since 1990, we have upheld the legacy of literary icons Zora Neale Hurston and Richard Wright by nurturing emerging talent, offering safe and empowering spaces for creative growth, and amplifying voices across the African diaspora. Thousands of writers have found community, confidence, and craft through our programs—and many have gone on to transform the world with their words.

But we cannot continue this work without you.

As we launch our 2026 Campaign “Supporting and Empowering Black Writers”, we invite you to lock arms with us and continue the fight for creative freedom, equity in publishing, and literary justice.

Last year, we proudly renamed our fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and debut fiction awards The Zora, celebrating Zora Neale Hurston’s enduring influence and reinforcing our commitment to honoring Black literary excellence.

Your support over the past 35 years has made this possible—and we remain confident that you will help carry this essential work forward.

Every Dollar Has Power. Every Gift Makes a Difference.

Your donations sustain the Foundation’s year-round work, including:

• Transformative workshops and writing intensives
• Expanded mentorship opportunities for emerging and mid-career writers
• Publishing support and increased visibility for underrepresented voices
• Protection of a creative sanctuary for truth, expression, and imagination

In the words of Maya Angelou:
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
Your generosity ensures that the Hurston/Wright Foundation continues not only to survive—but to thrive.

The nonprofit landscape has changed significantly.

Funding is more competitive. Costs are rising. And the urgency to champion Black literary arts remains as critical as ever. That is why small donations matter profoundly.

When many people give even a little, the collective impact becomes extraordinary.
A gift of $10, $25, or $50 fuels workshops, scholarships, and opportunities that directly transform writers’ lives.

When you give, you’re not simply supporting an organization—you are investing in a movement.

You are declaring to the world that:

Black stories matter.
Truth matters.
And every writer deserves a place to grow, be heard, and thrive.

We invite you to stand with us, again! 
Be part of our legacy, and help write the next chapter of Black literary excellence.

Together, we can ensure that future generations of Black writers continue to rise, inspire, and reshape the world through the power of storytelling.

With deep gratitude,
The Hurston/Wright Foundation