By Jane Garba
A good writing community will support you through rejection, bad drafts, and the long lonely hours. A bad one will leave you second guessing your voice and worth. For Black writers, the difference is more stark. Here’s how to find communities that actually show up for you.
Know What You’re Looking For
Before you start looking, know what you want to get out of joining a community. Do you want feedback as you write? Accountability to keep writing? Social or professional connection with other writers? Different spaces offer different purposes. Know what it is you want before you commit.
Where to Go
Most writing communities exist on social media, but you don’t have to be everywhere. Pick one platform—Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook—and search for Black writers in your genre. Follow them. See what groups or spaces they engage with. Use hashtags like #BlackWriters and #WritingCommunity. Lurk first, then engage.
Substack is also a great way to meet other Black writers. Many Black writers have newsletters where they share tips, opportunities, workshops, and community calls. Find a few writers you connect with and subscribe. They’ll lead you to others.
Beyond Social Media
Some of the best communities for Black writers exist outside of social media. These are organizations with programs, workshops, and people who show up in person or through dedicated online spaces.
Cave Canem is a powerhouse for Black poets. They offer retreats, workshops, and a community that has elevated some of the best voices in poetry.
The Lighthouse / Black Girl Projects offers workshops, writing space, and community specifically for Black women and nonbinary writers. They’re based in Denver but have online offerings too.
Hurston/Wright Foundation provides workshops, awards, and conferences for Black writers across genres. Their summer workshops are legendary and have launched many careers.
The Watering Hole supports Black poets with retreats, workshops, and open mic nights.
Obsidian Foundation offers retreats for Black writers.
Voices of Our Nations Arts Foundation (VONA) runs workshops for writers of color.
These organizations have social media, but their real work also happens outside of it. Sign up for their newsletters. Apply for their programs. That’s how you find lasting connections.
Things to Consider Before Joining
Not every space that claims to support Black writers actually does. Ask yourself:
· Who runs this space? Are they Black?
· Do I see myself reflected in this place?
· How do they handle sensitive questions about race?
· Are Black writers centered?
· Is the space moderated and how?
Try to lurk first before joining until you’re clear on their goals.
Things to Look Out For
· You’re the only Black writer in the room
· White writers get feedback on their craft while your work is praised for being “very authentic”
· Conversations about race are deemed too political
· The space feels performative
Always listen to your gut. If anything feels off, leave.
What to Do Once You’ve Found Your Community
Community is reciprocal. Don’t just take. Give feedback to others. Be actively involved with your community by celebrating their wins, sharing opportunities when you find them, and showing up consistently. The writers who give are writers who also receive.
You don’t need to join many groups. Find one that feels right, show up, and build connections. That group could help you find others over time.
Bio: Jane Garba is an emerging Black writer working on her first novel. On a quest to feel supported in her own writing journey, she stumbled across resources and communities that made all the difference and now she’s sharing what she found with other writers.
