Every community holds stories that rarely make it into the history books — stories of migration and resilience, of neighborhood transformation, of love, loss, and joy. Yet the people who live these stories often lack access to the spaces, mentorship, or encouragement to write them down. Put Your Story In A Book: A Community Writing Project was born from the belief that every voice matters — and that storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have for healing, connection, and cultural preservation. By gathering together monthly at The Torch Center, participants, local residents, will create a space that embodies resilience and creativity. The setting itself becomes part of the story — a living symbol of Black entrepreneurship, community, and literary legacy. Many participants will come to Put Your Story In A Book: A Community Writing Project without having ever called themselves “writers.” Some may carry stories shaped by displacement, racism, or invisibility; others may come simply wanting to capture a family history or preserve a personal moment before it’s forgotten. Through writing prompts, mentorship, and shared reflection, they will begin to see that their experiences a
