Our Story

African Voices, a quarterly literary arts magazine, will celebrate its 20th Anniversary in 2012. Since 1992, African Voices has published more than 700 writers, artists and playwrights.

We are a group of artists, writers and editors committed to publishing a magazine that will connects readers with talented voices in literature and art.

Each issue of African Voices is filled with an intoxicating mix of poetry, short stories, fiction and art. It is one of the few literary magazines devoted to publishing work by artists of color. The magazine also offers book reviews and feature articles covering theater, film and the arts.

African Voices selects work by talented artists at the beginning of their careers and provides a space for new artists to express themselves. Among those writers African Voices has been privileged to publish are: Pulitzer-prize winning novelist Junot Díaz  (Spring 1996); Jeffery Renard Allen (Fall/Winter 2002), the author of Rails Under; writer/playwright T. Tara Turk (Spring/Summer 2008); Elizabeth Alexander (Fall/Winter 2002), the poet selected for President Barack Obama’s 2008 inauguration celebration, appeared in the Fall/Winter 2002 issue. 

The list of fabulously gifted writers appearing on our pages, spanning two decades, is too long to list here, but a few more are: David Mills, Anne Sterling Sutton, Miriam S. Perez, Mercy Lee Tullis, Tyehimba Jess, Tara Betts, Sterling D. Plumpp, Louis Reyes Rivera, Danny Simmons, C.D. Grant, Emily Raboteau, Denizé Lauture, Willie Perdomo, asha bandele, Ted Wilson, Ibi Zoboi, and Gary Johnston.

The Impact

Your contribution will help us pay the contributing fees to our writers and artists. The magazine is seeking $5,000 towards a $30,000 fundraising goal that will help us publish four special 20th anniversary issues. The rest of the funding will come from grants, fund-raising events and loyal donors who cherish the publication.

No contribution is too small -- you may donate $1, $5 or $10. Please help by sharing our fundraising page with family, friends and colleagues.

Please continue to contribute to the success of this campaign past the $5,000 goal. Why? You will bring us closer to publishing four spectacular issues with more pages devoted to great fiction and art.

What we do besides publishing African Voices?

African Voices Communications, Inc., the non-profit arts organization that publishes the magazine, has a long history of supporting artists through several programs that touch people as young as eight years old to seventy-five years young.

We believe the arts should impact people’s lives and community activism has been a vital part of our mission since the organization’s inception.

A brief outline of our arts programming:

African Voices Cultural Circle Conference: The Circle Conference, an annual forum that connects writers and visual artists with the resources they need to pursue careers in publishing and the arts. Photo above features Ronnique Hawkins, a writer who attended a past Cultural Circle Conference.

Get Your Read On!: Young people are introduced to storytelling and creative writing workshops that nurture their interest in reading and writing.

African Voices Reading & Performance Series: The series offers emerging writers a chance to develop their craft in weekly workshop sessions and the reading series provides a chance for independent authors to sell and share their work.

Reel Sisters Film of the Diaspora Festival & Lecture Series: Annual film festival that presents work directed, written or produced by women filmmakers.

Ellie Charles Artists Award & Scholarship: Each year, African Voices presents the Ellie Charles Artists Awards to honor artists, community activists and other educators for their contributions to society.

Why should I support African Voices?

It is one of the few independent publications dedicated to ensuring that America’s literary tradition remains rich and vibrant.

African Voices could not publish the magazine without you! African Voices has always been fueled by your stories, financial contributions and energy.

Every dollar of your contribution will help us meet our goals in publishing a quality magazine. You will see the fruits of your contribution if you donate $40 or more — you will receive all four issues of the 20th Anniversary collection.

We are also offering several cool incentives for you to enjoy as a thank you for your support.

DONORS LIVING OUTSIDE USA: Supporters living outside of the United States will be asked to pay for additional shipping costs for perks. 

For further information:

www.africanvoices.com

www.reelsisters.org

YouTube Link: http://www.youtube.com/user/africanvoices?feature=mhee