Kitchen Table Literary Arts

In 1980, activist, feminist, writer, and scholar Barbara Smith started a press "to make visual the writing, culture, and history of women of color." At the urging of poet Audre Lorde and a collective of other poets, writers, and essayists, Smith set out on the inspired and passionate tasks of building the mission, goals, and reach of the Kitchen Table Press. She chose the name,"Kitchen Table," because that sturdy, purposeful gathering place is "the center of the home, the place where women in particular work and communicate with each other"(Smith, 1989). At Kitchen Table Literary Arts, we honor this tradition with more than our name. The work of increasing the visibility for Black women and women of color writers, poets, and artists is still extremely necessary, and our center's mission reflects our dedication to this very important work. Kitchen Table Literary Arts Center builds awareness, appreciation, and support for women of color and black women writers, poets, and their work. In addition to our community outreach across communities, we also offer beginner, intermediate, and master level writing courses exclusively for Black women and women writers of color.