The Literary Freedom Project

What The Literary Freedom Project does

The Literary Freedom Project is a Bronx, New York-based nonprofit arts organization that builds, curates, and distributes literary programming centered on Black literature and underrepresented voices. Its core products include Mosaic Literary Magazine (in publication since 1998), the Mosaic Literary Conference (launched 2002), the One Book One Bronx community-wide reading initiative (launched 2017), senior and on-site book clubs, writing workshops, and downloadable lesson plans for educators.

The organization's programming is delivered through a multi-channel model: a print/digital magazine, a recurring in-person conference, recurring book clubs hosted at partner venues (including senior centers), and curriculum assets for schools. This portfolio allows the organization to serve distinct audience segments — general readers, educators and students, and older adults — while reusing curatorial content across channels.

The Literary Freedom Project operates as a grant-funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with revenue historically derived from foundation grants, government arts funding (NYSCA, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs), and individual donations. It maintains a small staff (1–10 employees) and has been recognized with peer-nonprofit awards (e.g., a $50,000 Laundromat Project award) and earned media coverage in outlets including Forbes and CBS Sunday Morning. As a nonprofit, it has no conventional product pricing model; its "go-to-market" is programmatic outreach to community partners, libraries, schools, and senior centers in the Bronx.

Name

The Literary Freedom Project

Legal name

The Literary Freedom Project Inc.

Website

https://www.literaryfreedom.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Literary Freedom Project offers programs that gather people and help them reconnect to books, culture, and education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Literary Arts Programming

NAICS

Book Publishers (513130), Fine Arts Schools (611610), Fine Arts Schools (61161)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Literary Arts & Writing Organizations (BPAGAHAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Literature & Book Clubs / Guided Reading Groups (EDAMAJAG), Fiction Writing Workshops (Short Story, Novel) (EDAMAMAA), Creative Nonfiction & Memoir Workshops (EDAMAMAC)

Keywords

• Community book clubs
• Literary arts programming
• Nonprofit publishing
• Cultural literacy education
• Community wellness programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Bronx

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: The organization operates as a nonprofit relying primarily on donations from individual sustainers and supporters, as well as grants from foundations and government cultural affairs departments.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Literary Freedom Project runs community-centered literary arts programming, including weekly on-site book clubs at partner organizations, virtual and in-person book discussions through One Book One Bronx, senior book clubs, adult writing workshops, a print and virtual literary magazine (Mosaic), and an annual Mosaic Literary Conference. All programs are offered free to participants and emphasize African diaspora and Latinx writers, restorative conversations on social justice themes, and guest author appearances.

Product overview

The Literary Freedom Project is a non-profit arts organization based in the Bronx that operates a multi-program portfolio centered on literacy, literature, and community engagement. The core offerings include One Book One Bronx (weekly book discussions launched in 2017), Mosaic Literary Magazine (a print and virtual publication launched in 1998), and the Mosaic Literary Conference (an annual literature-based conference launched in 2002). Supporting programs include on-site book clubs for organizations, writing workshops, lesson plans for educators, and specialized senior book clubs. The organization functions as a platform connecting readers to writers through restorative conversations focused on social justice themes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mosaic Literary Magazine: A literary print and virtual magazine showcasing the work of African and Latinx writers. Launched in 1998.
• Mosaic Literary Conference
• One Book One Bronx

Products and services

• One Book One Bronx A community book discussion program launched in 2017 that provides virtual and in-person space for weekly conversations about gentrification, social justice, women's empowerment, criminal justice, and racial inequality, often attended by book authors. Free to Bronx and NYC community members.
• Mosaic Literary Magazine A literary print and virtual magazine showcasing the work of African and Latinx writers, featuring interviews, essays, and book reviews. Each issue is curated by a guest editor who selects works representing the diversity of the African diaspora.
• Mosaic Literary Conference An annual conference providing a platform for literature-based creative thinking and knowledge sharing, including professional development workshops for educators, community organizations, and the public.
• On-Site Book Clubs Weekly on-site book clubs for diverse settings including community-based groups, wellness programs, senior centers, and educational institutions. Each book club runs for five weeks per title with a trained facilitator.
• Writing Workshops Adult writing workshops that help participants explore personal histories and cultures while building skills for vocational and journaling needs, teaching strategies for generating ideas, planning, and editing.
• Lesson Plans Lesson plans developed for secondary school educators demonstrating how cultural and social engagement can serve as a connective tool to empower educators to use books, writing, and reading to engage students.
• Senior Book Clubs Weekly on-site book clubs designed for seniors providing enjoyable and engaging literary experiences with diverse book selections. Each discussion runs for five weeks guided by a trained facilitator.

Quantifiable outcome

• Weekly restorative conversations connecting readers to writers with author appearances including The Last Poets, Esmeralda Santiago, Angie Cruz, Nicole Dennis-Benn

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Laundromat ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAwarded $50K to LFP through their 'Pays It Forward' initiative for POC-led cultural organizations in October 2021.
• Urban Health PlancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost organization for weekly on-site book clubs as part of LFP's wellness programming.
• The Bronx MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost organization for One Book One Bronx book discussions and community events.
• Casita Maria Center for Arts & EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner host for One Book One Bronx discussions including sessions like 'Searching for Zion' book discussion.
• Bronx Health ReachcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity health organization hosting weekly book clubs for members.
• Bronx Library Center/NYPLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic library partner hosting literary events including the 20th Anniversary celebration of 'I Love My Hair'.
• James Baldwin Outdoor Learning CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner hosting book club presentations and community events.
• Lehman College/CUNYcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollege partner hosting Black History Month celebrations and literary programming.
• BAAD/The Bronx Academy of Art & DanceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts organization community partner.
• The Bronx CollabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity collaborative partner.
• Bronx Music HallminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic venue community partner.
• The Bronx River Community GardenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity garden partner.
• BronxArtSpaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt space community partner.
• ID StudiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts studio community partner.
• The Laundromat ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts organization hosting lesson plan workshops and providing community programming partnerships.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• PEN America: National literary and free-expression nonprofit running author programs, reading groups, and advocacy. Directly comparable as a literary-arts nonprofit operating cultural programming, though at a much larger national scale.
• Lambda Literary Foundation: Literary nonprofit supporting LGBTQ writers through awards, writing programs, and community programming. Directly comparable as a literary-arts nonprofit; notably the same Lambda Literary Award that LFP board member Nicole Dennis-Benn won.
• The Center for Fiction: NYC-based literary nonprofit running book clubs, author events, writing workshops, and an annual award. Closely mirrors LFP's mix of book discussions, workshops, and an annual literary gathering serving a community of readers and writers.
• Cave Canem Foundation: Literary nonprofit dedicated to Black poets, running residencies, workshops, and community programs. Comparable as a culturally specific literary-arts nonprofit; Cave Canem is also an existing financial partner of LFP.
• The Loft Literary Center: Literary arts center offering writing classes, workshops, book clubs, and readings. Directly comparable as a literary-arts nonprofit delivering recurring reading and writing programming to a community audience.
• Kundiman: Nonprofit supporting Asian American writers through workshops, readings, and community programs. Comparable as a culturally specific literary-arts nonprofit with a mission-driven reading and writing portfolio.
• A Public Space: Independent literary nonprofit publishing a literary magazine and running writer fellowships. Comparable as a literary nonprofit that publishes curated writing from underrepresented voices and supports authors.
• The Laundromat Project: NYC arts nonprofit embedding cultural programming in community spaces. Comparable as a community-centered arts nonprofit; also an existing financial partner of LFP through its 'Pays It Forward' POC-led cultural-organization funding.

Regional players

• Hugo House: Seattle-based literary nonprofit running writing classes, readings, and book groups. Comparable community-based literary-arts programming model; serves as a regional peer since it operates outside LFP's Bronx/NYC footprint.

Others

• Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP): Umbrella nonprofit supporting independent literary publishers and magazines. Relevant as an adjacent ecosystem organization for Mosaic Literary Magazine rather than a direct operational peer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LitFrdm
• Facebookfacebook.com/literaryfreedomproject

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Literary Freedom Project