United States
Writing Change
WRITING CHANGE
Inspired by Amanda Gorman
A collaboration between The Estée Lauder Companies and National Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman, WRITING CHANGE is a 3-year, $3MM initiative to support grassroots organizations dedicated to advancing literacy as a pathway to equality, access, and social change, through the power of young voices.
Amanda Gorman on the Power of WRITING CHANGE
Amanda Gorman speaks to the everlasting impact of writing, literacy, and activism.
Mission
Literacy builds self-efficacy and esteem, unlocks opportunity, and empowers people to participate fully in their community and in society. Yet, despite the steady rise in literacy rates over the years, more than 773 million children and adults around the world are illiterate, most of whom are girls and women. In the United States, over 43 million adults lack functional literacy skills and nearly two-thirds of high school graduates are still reading below grade level.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further disrupted education and magnified the pre-existing inequalities in the access to tools, resources, and programming that are essential to sustained progress in literacy and learning, particularly in low-income or rural communities and in communities of color.
WRITING CHANGE aims to invest in organizations working hard to advance systemic changes and close the literacy gap by providing equitable access to tools, resources, and programming that are essential to sustained progress.
Amanda Gorman, National Poet Laureate and Estée Lauder Global Changemaker
As the first Estée Lauder Global Changemaker, Amanda has inspired WRITING CHANGE, guided by the belief that representation in literacy matters, and that words lead to actions that can change the world.
For youth, literacy is a pathway to social expression that leads to real progress.
Amanda Gorman
WRITING CHANGE Pillars
WRITING CHANGE supports organizations working to close the literacy gap.
Equitable access to literacy programs is a fundamental right, especially for communities in need. A large percentage of the global population does not have access to literacy; a gap that has been widened dramatically by the COVID-19 pandemic.
WRITING CHANGE supports organizations working to advance representation in literature.
The publication and advocacy of diverse writers and young leaders is critical to advancing representation in literature of all levels. Advancing societal change begins with one voice that causes a spark.
WRITING CHANGE supports organizations that promote artistic expression in youth.
Community programming is critical to advancing creativity and cultivating a passion for artistic and social expression in youth through writing, particularly for girls of color.
WRITING CHANGE Grantees
In 2022, WRITING CHANGE will focus on U.S organizations with a plan to deepen its potential impact by expanding to global organizations in future years.
Grantee organizations will be part of The WRITING CHANGE Collective, a quarterly convening of fellow grantees of the WRITING CHANGE initiative. Through the collective, WRITING CHANGE will drive allyship across organizations to create long-term sustainable change.
American Library Association
The largest library organization in the world, ALA works to promote libraries and library education in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all. WRITING CHANGE funds have supported an innovative pilot project for twelve libraries in the U.S., partnering with local artists to implement arts programming that builds literacy and digital skills for distinct populations – including youth at risk of low educational or employment attainment. The ALA digital access program expands libraries’ reach into their community and increases libraries’ visibility as a path to educational persistence, economic mobility, and civic participation. The project emphasizes diverse artistic expression as a platform for community.
“Literacy is not just reading and writing. It is how we explore, excavate, uncover, interpret, and unravel the world around us. It is essential for us – as both individuals and as a society – to grow from just accumulating knowledge to cultivating wisdom.” - Willa Taylor, ALA Civic Imagination Station project instructor
We Need Diverse Books (WNDB)
We Need Diverse Books is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that runs twelve exciting initiatives united under one goal—to combat systemic racism and oppression by creating a world where everyone can find themselves on the pages of a book. Through support from WRITING CHANGE, WNDB has furthered its work in tailored grants, mentorship programs, workshops, and community building, with particular support provided to advance The Native Fund, The Black Creatives Fund, and the Revisions Workshop.
“At We Need Diverse Books, we believe that literacy, equity, and inclusion are fundamentally related. Children need books that are windows and mirrors into the human experience—a ‘mirror’ book will reflect a child’s life and allow them to feel seen while a ‘window’ book will introduce kids to experiences outside of their own. When young readers have access to diverse stories, we not only see literacy rates soar, we also witness an increase in empathy and a reduction of bias.” -WNDB
Girls Write Now
For 25 years, Girls Write Now has been breaking down barriers of gender, race, age, and poverty to mentor the next generation of writers and leaders who are impacting businesses, shaping culture, and creating change. They match young adults—over 90% of color, 90% high need, 75% immigrant or first generation, and 25% LGBTQ/gender expansive—with professional writers and multimedia makers as their personal mentors and immerse them in a supportive and networked community of writers—for life. Girls Write Now ranks as one of the top youth programs nationally. Through support from WRITING CHANGE, Girls Write Now has created a greater national presence in its core programming and expanded its reach.
“As a writer and reader, literacy is everything to me. It helps me make sense of myself and my experiences and gives me a way to connect with others through the written word. Every book I pick up, every poem I write, grants me the freedom to understand and shape my world.” -Asma Al-Masyabi (GWN Grantee)
WriteGirl
A Los Angeles-based creative writing and mentoring organization that spotlights the power of a girl and her pen, WriteGirl, matches girls with women writers who mentor them in creative writing. WriteGirl represents a community of more than 400 girls and 400 volunteer women writers who serve as creative writing mentors. 100% of WriteGirl graduating seniors have entered college, many on full or partial scholarships. WRITING CHANGE funds support literacy-based programs for underserved girls through the WriteGirl Core Mentoring Program reaching 400 girls with creative writing workshops, one-to-one mentoring by professional women, leadership development, and career-focused resources.
"For us at WriteGirl, the world is a better place when we lift up all voices. Young voices are often dismissed but our whole community benefits when we build their literacy skills so they can share their perspectives and creative passions with us. Young people are our future leaders – it’s vital that their stories are part of the conversation." -WriteGirl
MIGIZI
Based in Minnesota, MIGIZI provides a strong circle of support that nurtures the educational, social, economic, and cultural development of American Indian youth. WRITING CHANGE supported MIGIZI’s First Person Production program equipping young Native people with 21st century media skills, teaching them how they can make a positive impact in Native media representation, and providing an arts and media space for emerging storytellers.
"As Native people, we have always been storytellers. To us, literacy is the ability to share stories through cultural modes of communication like singing, writing, praying, reading, spoken word, and even filmmaking."Phidamayaye (thank you) -MIGIZI
