about us
festival history
Our Values
Our Story
Written in Black was founded by two women who believe that stories have the power to preserve culture, inspire change, and build lasting legacies.
Born from a shared love of literature, creativity, and community, Written in Black was created to celebrate Black authors, uplift emerging voices, and create spaces where stories can be honored
and shared across generations.
Now rooted in Washington, DC—affectionately known as Chocolate City—Written in Black pays homage to one of the nation’s most influential centers of Black culture, intellect, activism, and artistic expression.
Washington, DC has long been a place where Black stories have been written, protected, and transformed into movements. Written in Black seeks to continue that legacy by creating an annual gathering where readers, writers, educators, and cultural leaders come together to celebrate the richness and diversity of Black storytelling.
We believe stories do more than entertain. Stories preserve our history, shape our identity, and inspire future generations to imagine new possibilities.
Our Vision
To establish Written in Black as Washington, DC’s premier Black literary experience—an annual gathering where stories are celebrated, voices are elevated, and legacies are built.