Kweli Journal

Kweli Journal

Kweli Journal is an award-winning non-profit literary organization and digital publication dedicated to nurturing emerging writers of color and amplifying voices from the African, Native/Indigenous, Latinx, Arab, and Asian diasporas. Founded in 2009 by multidisciplinary artist Laura Pegram, the journal takes its name from the Swahili word for “truth” and seeks to publish work that “sings the truth” of the lived experience. Beyond its triannual online issues—which feature fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction—Kweli has grown into a multifaceted community hub. It is widely recognized for its high-impact programming, including the Kweli International Literary Festival, the Color of Children’s Literature Conference (the largest of its kind for BIPOC creators), and a prestigious year-long fellowship program that provides stipends and editorial mentorship to early-career writers.

By prioritizing artistic rigor and cultural kinship, Kweli serves as a vital intervention in a publishing landscape that has historically marginalized diverse narratives. The journal’s contributors include a mix of debut voices and acclaimed authors such as Edward P. Jones, Edwidge Danticat, and Victor LaValle. Through its “Sing the Truth!” mentorship initiatives, monthly reading series, and specialized workshops, Kweli fosters a generous, humane environment where writers of color do not have to justify their concerns but can instead focus on the excellence of their craft. Its commitment to the “voices of the unheard” ensures that the stories being told reflect the full complexity of history and the limitless possibilities of the future.