Hope and Healing Poetry Prize 2025

Liberation is Lit and Renewed Path Counseling and Consulting is launching Hope and Healing Poetry Prize, a poetry competition designed to uplift, honor, and amplify the stories of survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault who are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color).

Although BIPOC survivors are more likely to be subjected to sexual and relationship violence, they are much less likely to report. Through the healing power of art and storytelling, our initiative will provide a safe space for survivors to share their truths, reclaim their stories, and find support within their community.

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Guidelines

1. This is a free contest. No entry fee is required. 

2. Poetry can be written in any poetic style. 

3. A poem in its entirety must be an original work by the person entering the contest. AI-generated works will not be considered.

4. Only one poem per person.

5. Poems containing language that is discriminatory towards any beliefs, identities, ethnicities, expressions or abilities will not be accepted. Poems promoting the use of violence or harm of others will not be accepted. 

6. Submit via Google Form. Please remove names and any identifying information from the upload. Uploads with identifying information will not be considered. Accepted formats: Word docx, PDF only. 

All poems must be submitted by September 30th at 11:59 PM.

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Prizes

3 Finalists

• 1st Place - $200 Prize, poem posted on Liberation is Lit, and invitation to read at a Spring Event
• 2nd Place - $100 Prize, poem posted on Liberation is Lit, and invitation to read at a Spring Event
• 3rd Place - $50 Gift card from Liberation is Lit, poem posted on Liberation is Lit, and invitation to read at a Spring Event

Thank you to our generous sponsors!

Are you interested in sponsoring the prize?

We are seeking community members passionate about the resilience of survivors to sponsor this powerful initiative and build a platform for BIPOC survivors with the intent to host this event every year. By becoming a sponsor for the Hope and Healing Poetry Prize, you will help us make this competition as impactful and accessible as possible. Your support will directly contribute to survivor prizes, competition logistics (such as marketing, honorarium for judges, and printing costs), and outreach efforts. All sponsorships are tax-deductible.

Donate Here