The mission of Community Literature Initiative (CLI) is to enable poets of color and those from underserved communities to have a voice through poetry and performance, and to share their narratives through published books.

Although CLI’s poetry class works on the craft of writing and provides an outlet for sharing prose, it also encourages students to share their personal experiences and narratives. Often, the poetry illuminates stories about their neighborhood, community, and family experiences. CLI’s class can foster pride in where students come from, and students consistently embrace one another’s narratives, often recognizing themselves in each other’s stories.

Ultimately, the Poetry class is about creating organic, culturally-relevant literature, and distributing it among the community.