A 2019 baseline diversity survey by Lee and Low Books found that only four percent of authors of African descent were represented in major publishing houses. Authors of diverse backgrounds, people of color as a whole only represent twenty one percent of authors represented by major publishing houses and of course, a whopping seventy-nine percent of authors published in major publishing houses are white. Power in the Pen was created to counter these statistics.

 Brownsville was chosen because it is considered one of the most, if not the most underserved community in New York City. Our organization’s existence dispels the belief that Brownsville consists of nothing but ignorance, gang life and violence. It empowers the dormant voices within the community and validates the true spirit of courage behind every project wall. As a native of Brownsville, the founder was groomed in the Arts and African-American culture and quite cognizant of the untapped, unheard and unexpected stories of courage there.

Power in the Pen deliberately consists of a diverse group of members. The project director is an African American and Native American published author and Adjunct Professor who is also a native of Brownsville. The editor holds a Master’s degree in Education and is a licensed School Counselor and Mental Health professional, as well as a published poet. The board members are male and female, straight, LGBTQIA+, home owners and displaced, formerly incarcerated and in recovery, from various occupational backgrounds and degrees of physical abilities. Each member represents a different region of the African diaspora and members range from early 30's to 70's in age. We purposely cater to the undeserved and disproportionately ignored to honor their stories and their lives.