Just Buffalo Literary Center launches 'In Gratitude': Citywide initiative aims to nurture hope through power of language

Just Buffalo Literary Center Press Release & Photo

How can we nurture hope and sustain courage during trying times? Just Buffalo Literary Center (JBLC) believes the answer lies in how we connect and uplift one another.

To that end, Just Buffalo announced "In Gratitude," a citywide reading and writing initiative designed to bring the Western New York community together through the practice of “unabashed gratitude.”

Inspired by the work of renowned poet and essayist Ross Gay – author of “The Book of Delights and Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude” – the project invites residents to engage in "serious noticing" of the goodness that exists within their daily lives and neighborhoods.

“At Just Buffalo, we believe in the transformative power of the written word,” said Noah Falck, literary director. “With ‘In Gratitude,’ we are inviting WNY to join us in a collective exercise of hope. Whether it is a small joy or a monumental life shift, we want to hear what sustains our ‘City of Good Neighbors.’ ”

Starting in February, "In Gratitude Boxes" will be stationed at partner locations across the city, including bookstores, cafés and record stores. These boxes serve as public archives, inviting passersby to stop and submit their own handwritten reflections on provided prompt cards.

Beyond the physical boxes, the six-month initiative will feature:

•Creative workshops: Led by a cohort of teaching artists including Christina Vega-Westhoff, Joshua Thermidor and Jillian Hanesworth.

•Pop-up events: "Talk with a Poet" stations appearing at community hubs to facilitate on-the-spot writing.

•Public readings: Shared discussion groups exploring the work of Ross Gay.

The journey will weave a collective "tapestry of appreciation" that culminates June 27 as part of the Silo City Reading Series. This grand finale will feature a reading by Gay, a musical performance by Buffalo’s Poet Laureate Aitina Fareed-Cooke, and large-scale visual projections onto the iconic grain silos honoring the voices of Western New York and the resilient spirit of the city.

More about Just Buffalo Literary Center: Just Buffalo Literary Center's mission is to create and strengthen communities through the literary arts. For 50 years, the organization has brought the world's most dynamic writers to Buffalo, hosted poetry events and readings, and supported the development of young writers. For more information, visit justbuffalo.org.