Community Literacies Collaboratory

ICYMI: Our 2026 Grant Cycle is officially open!

Our Seed & Growth 🌱 grants empower literacy programs to foster literacy and community throughout the US. Grants amounts can be up to $15,000.

👉 To learn more about our grants and how to submit, visit: tinyurl.com/CLCgrants

#literacygrants

Join author (and Founding Director of the CLC!) Eric Darnell Pritchard and illustrator Shannon Wright as they discuss their new book, 'Clothes to Make You Smile: Patrick Kelly Designs his Dreams' on February 12th at 7PM EST! We hope to see you there!🧵🪡❤️

Join us for our February Friday Night Reads! We will be holding an African American Read-In in person at Pearl's Books and virtually on Zoom on Friday, February 27th. Drop in anytime between 6PM-8PM to enjoy a quiet night of reading, and celebrate Black History Month and the 1st anniversary of FNR📚️

During the month of February, we celebrate and honor the stories and achievements of Black individuals who have shaped history. By reflecting on the past, we shape leaders who will inspire a better future.

We encourage you to celebrate Black History Month with us!

#blackhistorymonth

Colorful promotional graphic for a book launch celebration. A banner at the top reads “Book Launch Celebration” with event details: Tuesday, January 13, 2026, from 6:00–7:00 PM at Dad Suggests Books, 2526 E Mission Blvd in Fayetteville. Bullet points list activities including picking up a copy, having it signed, getting free book swag, and enjoying refreshments. Below, a billboard-style image shows the book cover Clothes to Make You Smile by Eric Darnell Pritchard alongside bright green text reading “It’s Here!” against a blue sky background.

Join Dad Suggests Books in Fayetteville, AR, to celebrate the launch of "Clothes to Make You Smile" by local author (and our very own director of the CLC!) Dr. Eric Darnell Pritchard. 🎉

Meet Dr. Pritchard, get your book signed, enjoy swag and treats—Tuesday, Jan 13, 6–7 PM!

Dark gray promotional flyer titled “CLC Grants Program Office Hours.” Text explains that applicants interested in meeting with the Community Literacies Collaboratory team to discuss potential grants can schedule virtual meetings beginning in February by filling out a form. A QR code and short link are included, along with an icon of three people and the CLC logo at the bottom.

📣 Interested in applying for a CLC grant in our 2026 Grant Cycle? We'll begin hosting virtual office hours in February to meet with prospective applicants & discuss grant opportunities.

⏰ Office hours: Wed. afternoons & Fri. mornings
🔗 Scan QR code or use the link tinyurl.com/GrantsOffice...

Illustrated graphic on lined notebook paper titled “The CLC’s Favorite Books of 2025.” A hand-drawn stack of books appears in the center with the Community Literacies Collaboratory logo above it. Doodle-style stars, scribbles, and a pencil decorate the page.

Notebook-style graphic featuring two book covers selected by Dr. Pritchard as favorite books of 2025. The top book is The Reformatory by Tananarive Due, shown with a quote praising the book’s extraordinary impact. Below is The Day God Saw Me as Black by D. Danyelle Thomas, accompanied by a quote describing the book as elegantly written, accessible, and thoughtfully humorous. Hand-drawn trees and floral doodles decorate the background.

Notebook-style graphic highlighting Julia’s favorite book of 2025. The book cover Heart the Lover by Lily King appears on the top left, with a quote explaining why it's Julia's favorite book. The book cover Madness, Rack, and Honey by Mary Ruefle is below with a quote from Jackie about her thoughts on the book.

Notebook-style graphic highlighting Julia’s favorite book of 2025. The book Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins appears on the top left, with a quote explaining why it's Molly's favorite book. The book cover Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay is below with a quote from Braxton about why he likes the book.

The CLC's favorite books of 2025🌟

#favoritebooksof2025 #suzannecollins #marieruefle #paultremblay #lilyking #tananarivedue #danyellethomas

Happy New Year from the Community Literacies Collaboratory! 🎉
We’re grateful for our community and excited for all the chapters ahead. May your year be filled with learning, connection, and stories that inspire.

#happynewyear #2026 #community

Cream and gold promotional flyer titled “Friday Night Reads: A Virtual Silent Book Club – New Year, New Genre (2026).” The text invites readers to try a new genre and enjoy a peaceful evening of reading, beginning with short introductions. The event is hosted by Julia Jensen and Dr. Eric Darnell Pritchard. Event details list Friday, January 16, with drop-in hours from 6–8 PM CST. Decorative gold stars, a book illustration, the Community Literacies Collaboratory logo, and a QR code appear on the flyer.

Join us for a New Year, New Genre edition of Friday Night Reads, our virtual silent book club. Pick a book from a genre you don’t usually read and enjoy a calm, cozy evening of reading with community. 📖

🗓 Friday, Jan. 16
⏰ Drop in anytime between 6–8 PM CST
🔗Scan the QR code to join!

Graphic titled “CLC Quote Corner” featuring a quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that reads, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” The design includes colorful geometric shapes on the left, the Community Literacies Collaboratory logo at the top, and a black-and-white portrait of Dr. King in the lower left corner against a light blue background with small decorative stars.

This holiday season, we’re reflecting on the power of service and care for one another. 💙
As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminds us, the most important question is how we show up for others.

#MLK #MLKQuotes #DrMartinLutherKingJr

Holiday hours announcement graphic featuring evergreen branches in the background. A white paper sign pinned at the top reads, “Enjoy the Holidays! Holiday Hours. The CLC will be closed December 24th–January 2nd.” The Community Literacies Collaboratory logo appears in the bottom right corner.

Happy Holidays, everyone! In observance of the holiday season, the CLC will be closed from Dec. 24th - Jan. 2nd. During this time, responses may be delayed. We appreciate your patience and will be in touch once we return from the holiday break.

We wish you a restful & joyful holiday season! 🎉

Promotional flyer for author and facilitator Reagan E. J. Jackson. The flyer features the book cover of Still True: The Evolution of an Unexpected Journalist, a memoir-in-essays about journalism, community, and social justice. Photos show Reagan smiling in a red dress and reading from her book at an event. Text describes her as an award-winning writer, activist, and educator, and outlines three university booking packages that include author talks, workshops, and bundled book copies, along with contact and website information.

Second page of a promotional flyer detailing Reagan E. J. Jackson’s author talk and writing workshops. The author talk description focuses on witnessing cities in flux, inequality, gentrification, and community resistance, with excerpts and audience Q&A. Workshop offerings include “Writing with Voice,” “Mixtape Memoir,” and “Pitching,” each listed as two-hour sessions. Photos show Reagan participating in a panel discussion and leading an interactive writing workshop with participants seated around tables.

Bring award-winning writer and educator Reagan E. J. Jackson to your campus 📚✨

The CLC had the joy of working with Reagan at our 2025 symposium. She offers impactful author talks and writing workshops on storytelling, community, social justice, and voice.

Learn more: reaganjackson.com

A promotional graphic shows five Black trans and gender-diverse individuals standing together and holding bouquets, smiling at a film festival event. Overlaid text reads “Comfrey Films BTSFF 2026 Submissions Open” in large white and orange lettering. Filmstrip imagery frames the top and bottom of the image. The submission website link is displayed clearly near the bottom.

A black graphic with bold white and orange text announces the Comfrey Films Black Trans Short Film Festival submissions timeline. Key dates are listed: submissions open October 1, early deadline November 1, regular deadline December 1, and late deadline January 7. A filmstrip graphic runs along the bottom edge, reinforcing the filmmaking theme. The Comfrey Films website link for submissions appears prominently at the bottom.

A light-colored graphic outlines the submission criteria for the Comfrey Films Black Trans Short Film Festival. The text explains that films must be under 20 minutes, are due January 7, 2026, and must be created by a Black trans, gender non-conforming, or intersex filmmaker or center Black TGNCI experiences. Key eligibility language is highlighted in orange for emphasis. The Comfrey Films submissions website appears at the bottom of the image.

⭐ ⭐ Calling all Black Trans, GNC & Intersex filmmakers! Submissions are OPEN for Comfrey
Films’ 2026 Black Trans Short Film Festival.
🎬 Films must be under 20 mins
🗓️ Final deadline: Jan 7
Submit: comfreyfilms.org/submissions

Flyer announcing The Sandbox 2025 Print Edition, Vol. 2 Issue 1. At the top is a chalk-style illustration of a sandcastle and shovel. Text invites readers to sign up for a free printed edition of the CLC Sandbox journal and provides a signup link. Decorative star shapes appear around the design. A QR code and the Community Literacies Collaboratory logo are at the bottom. The flyer notes that the last day to sign up is January 9th and mailings begin in February.

The Sandbox 2025 Print Edition is here! ✨
Sign up to receive a free printed copy of the CLC’s literary journal, The Sandbox (Vol. 2, Issue 1).

Don’t miss out - the last day to sign up is Jan. 9th, and mailing begins in Feb.!

➡️ Scan QR code or visit the link to sign up
tinyurl.com/Sandbox2025P...

A flyer titled ‘Literacy Highlight’ with the headline IMLS Restores Competitive Grant Funding. Below the title are the author’s name, Nathalie op de Beeck, and Publishers Weekly. The main image shows the exterior of the IMLS headquarters in Washington, D.C., with people sitting and walking outside the building.

The IMLS has reinstated all federal grants after a permanent injunction in State of Rhode Island v. Trump, which halted attempts to dismantle the agency. Orgs. whose grants were abruptly terminated earlier this year have now been notified that funding is restored~

tinyurl.com/GrantFunding...

A graphic titled “CLC Recommends—Book of the Week.” The featured book is Mothman Apologia by Robert Wood Lynn, shown with a grayscale cover depicting a foggy river valley and a bridge. Text on the right says the book is recommended by Jackie. The background includes soft abstract shapes and small mountain icons at the bottom.

Kicking off December with a powerful poetry pick from Jackie! 📚✨

This week’s CLC Book of the Week is "Mothman Apologia" by Robert Wood Lynn - a stunning collection that weaves together love, loss, the opioid epidemic, and the complexities of growing up in the Virginias.

#bookrec #robertwoodlynn

A teal flyer announcing CLC grant applications open Feb. 1–May 1. It explains that proposals supporting literacy work in the U.S. are welcome, with priority for Arkansas-based projects. Grants offer up to $15,000, with decisions made within two months. The flyer includes a link to communityliteraciescollaboratory.com/grants, an email contact, document icons, and CLC and University of Arkansas logos at the bottom.

The CLC is excited to open our 2026 grant cycle from February 1st to May 1st🌟

Each proposal is reviewed by our CLC Advisory Board, with funding opportunities of up to $15,000 per grant.

Learn more at communityliteraciescollaboratory.com/grants

For questions: brownchairinenglishliteracy@gmail.com

Graphic promoting the CLC YouTube channel showing recent video thumbnails featuring presentations from the 2025 symposium. At the bottom are two photos: Dr. Gwendolyn D. Pough on the left and Tourmaline on the right.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel @CL_Collab⚡️

Explore keynote talks from Dr. Gwendolyn D. Pough and Tourmaline, along with a range of creative-critical presentations from our 2025 symposium Crafting the Irresistible: Creative-Critical Literacies & Community!

A graphic titled “CLC Quote Corner” featuring a quote from Miss Major Griffin-Gracy. The design has colorful geometric shapes along the left side and the Community Literacies Collaboratory logo in the top right. The quote reads, “It’s not an easy thing, but you must nurture, take care of, and look out for yourself too. If you don’t take the time to heal your wounds and soothe your ills, you cannot be of any benefit to anybody else.” At the bottom left is a circular photo of Miss Major Griffin-Gracy smiling outdoors. Text below the quote reads “Miss Major Griffin-Gracy 1946–2025.”

Honoring the life and legacy of Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, (1946 - 2025), a fierce advocate, a mother to many, and a pillar of strength in the fight for trans liberation. Her words continue to guide us: healing is resistance, and caring for ourselves is part of the work. 🤍✨

#quote #missmajor

REMINDER: This Friday, 11/21, 6-8pm CST is our VIRTUAL/ZOOM "Friday Night Reads: Silent Bookclub" event!

Need some ideas of what to read? See some recs from our team!

Register via the QR code or at the link in our bio!

A promotional graphic for Shuvro Das’s 2025 op-ed, “A Pedagogy of Kindness, Inclusivity, and Joy in the Writing Classroom.” It includes a classroom photo, a QR code to read or listen, publication details, and a short bio with his headshot.

Shuvro Das, PhD student in the Rhetoric & Writing program at Virginia Tech, reflects on his experience teaching first-year writing, & emphasizes that kindness, inclusivity, & joy are essential to effective pedagogy in his Op-ed piece published in The Sandbox.

Scan QR code to read full article!

Promotional graphic for Mohi Uddin’s 2025 book review of Post-Truth Rhetoric and Composition by Bruce McComiskey. The image includes the book cover, bibliographic details, a QR code to read online, and a portrait of Mohi Uddin with a short bio noting that he is a Ph.D. student and instructor in Writing and Rhetoric Studies at the University of Utah.

Check out Mohi Uddin's Sandbox #bookreview!

Uddin, Ph.D. student at Uni of Utah, examines Bruce McComiskey’s "Post-Truth Rhetoric and Composition," a timely exploration of how writing & rhetoric educators can respond to misinformation and the erosion of truth in public discourse.

A winter-themed flyer for “Friday Night Reads: A Silent Book Club – Winter Wonderland Edition.” It includes hand-drawn snowflakes, ornaments, and ice skates. The event is a virtual reading session hosted by Julia Jensen on Friday, Nov. 21st from 6–8 PM CST. A registration link, QR code, and a small snowy landscape photo appear at the bottom.

Don't miss out on our upcoming Friday Night Reads next Friday, November 21st from 6-8pm CST!!

November's theme is ❄️ Winter Wonderland!❄️ (Bring a cozy, winter-themed book and a cup of hot cocoa!) ⛄

Scan the QR code to register or follow this link tinyurl.com/NovemberFNRe...

A graphic titled “CLC Recommends” with a pink banner that reads “Book of the Week.” The featured book is Champagne Supernovas: Kate Moss, Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen, and the ’90s Renegades Who Remade Fashion by Maureen Callahan. The book cover shows a black-and-white photo of Kate Moss with bright geometric accents in yellow, pink, and blue. Text below notes, “Recommended by: Dr. Pritchard.”

Presenting our #bookoftheweek👛

"Champagne Supernovas" by Maureen Callahan

In Dr. Pritchard's words: "A dishy narrative nonfiction group biography about the ways the 1990s ushered in a new era of fashion that was quite un-fashion. I couldn't put it down and you won't want to either."

A colorful graphic titled “Literacy Highlight” with the theme Celebrate Nonfiction November! The image shows book covers from Astra Publishing House’s Calkins Creek imprint, including One Girl’s Voice, Rachel Carson’s Wonder-Filled World, Gertie: The Great Woman Behind the Spectacular Spectacles, The Mysterious Virginia Hall, American Spirit, The Spider Lady, Lady of the Lines, and Joan Mitchell Paints a Symphony. The design features bright colors, a globe and glasses illustration, and the Calkins Creek logo.

📖 It’s #NonfictionNovember! This article by Astra Publishing House reminds us how nonfiction invites us to engage with real stories, deepen our knowledge, and connect learning to everyday life.

Full article here: tinyurl.com/NonfictionNo...

Flyer for the University of Arkansas M.A. and Ph.D. programs in Rhetoric, Composition, and Literacy. Includes research areas, application deadlines, and contact info for Dr. McIntyre. Logos for the Community Literacies Collaboratory, University of Arkansas, and Brown Chair in English Literacy appear at the bottom.

📣 The U of A Program in Rhetoric, Composition & Literacy is now accepting MA & PhD applications!

❗ MA deadline: Feb 15
❗ PhD deadlines: Dec 15 (priority) | Jan 15 (regular)

📩 Questions? Email Dr. McIntyre at mm250@uark.edu

Flyer titled “The CLC Presents: Friday Night Reads – A Silent Book Club (Winter Wonderland Edition).” The text invites readers to join a winter-themed evening of reading hosted by Julia Jensen of the Community Literacies Collaboratory at the University of Arkansas. Event details: Friday, Nov. 21st, drop in/out anytime between 6–8 PM CST. The background has a blue grid pattern with snowflakes, ornaments, ice skates, and a winter landscape photo. A QR code at the bottom right says “Scan to Register.”

❄️Join the CLC for a virtual Winter Wonderland Edition of Friday Night Reads. Bring your favorite winter-themed book and drop in anytime between 6–8 PM CST on Friday, Nov. 21st. Hosted by Julia Jensen, Associate Director of the CLC at the University of Arkansas.

Scan QR code to join!

A graphic titled “CLC Recommends” features the Book of the Week, One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig. The book cover shows a misty green sky, dark castle towers, and a cloaked figure standing on a bridge with smoke rising around them. The text below reads, “Recommended by: Julia.”

A spooky #bookrec from Julia!
"One Dark Window" by Rachel Gillig

"Dark magic is infecting the kingdom, and a dark force is infecting Elspeth's mind; it is her mission to find a cure for both. High stakes, engaging characters, and one of my favorite magic systems I've ever come across."

A colorful flyer for the 2025 Young Writers Contest. The text reads: “Everyone has a story — share yours!” and lists details for students in grades 7–12 from Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Submissions are due December 1. Cash prizes are $30 for first place, $20 for second, and $10 for third. Top three finalists in all categories will be invited to a Zoom award ceremony. The flyer includes contact info for Lia Wu at liawu@ozarkhollowpress.com and a QR code linking to ozarkswritersleague.com for registration and writing prompts.

📝 Young Writers Contest 2025

Students in grades 7–12 from Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas are invited to submit their best writing for a chance to win cash prizes and be recognized for their creativity.

Deadline: Dec. 1
👉 Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit ozarkswritersleague.com

A newsletter graphic titled “Literacy Highlight” featuring an NPR article headline that reads, “Books about race and gender to be returned to school libraries on some military bases” by Elizabeth Blair. Below the title is a photo of colorful books lined up on curved wooden library shelves.

Good news!🌟
A federal judge has ordered #bannedbooks returned to U.S. military school libraries, ruling their removal violated students’ First Amendment rights. The books, covering race, sexuality, and gender identity, were pulled over political complaints.

Read the full article at www.npr.org