Split This Rock

Split This Rock

Donate

Split This Rock

Donate

Our mission

CELEBRATING POETRY THAT PROVOKES SOCIAL CHANGE
Split This Rock is the only national organization with a mission to integrate poetry and social justice. We materially support poets who are often excluded and underrepresented in the literary landscape, particularly those who are BIPOC, LGBTQ, disabled or chronically ill, and/or working class. With strong commitments to racial, gender, economic, and disability justice, we work to expand the horizons of inclusion and assert the transformative power of language to bear witness to injustice and provoke social change. 


We believe poetry acts as an agent for change by revealing the diversity and complexity of human experience, reflecting on daily lives and struggles, considering personal and social responsibility, and envisioning a better world.


The name "Split This Rock" is borrowed from a line in “Big Buddy,” a poem by Langston Hughes:
Don’t you hear this hammer ring?

I’m gonna split this rock

And split it wide!

When I split this rock,

Stand by my side.
 
Learn more at Split This Rock's website.


Events
Events
The Crooked Witness: Writing Lyric Instability in an Age of Polycrisis with A.D. Lauren-Abunassar
Event
The Crooked Witness: Writing Lyric Instability in an Age of Polycrisis with A.D. Lauren-Abunassar
Nov 5, 6:30 - 8:00 PM EST
716 Monroe St NE #25th, Washington, DC 20017, USA
Get your tickets
ASSEMBLAGE POETICS: What We Make Of It with Kay Ulanday Barrett
Event
ASSEMBLAGE POETICS: What We Make Of It with Kay Ulanday Barrett
Nov 18, 6:30 - 8:00 PM EST
Get your tickets
Praise Song for the Body: A Writing Workshop with Camisha L. Jones
Event
Praise Song for the Body: A Writing Workshop with Camisha L. Jones
Feb 23, 6:30 - 8:00 PM EST
Get your tickets
Disabling the Poem: Access as Revision with Rob Macaisa Colgate
Event
Disabling the Poem: Access as Revision with Rob Macaisa Colgate
Mar 4, 6:30 - 8:00 PM EST
Get your tickets

More ways to support us
Donate to Support Split This Rock
Donation
Donate to Support Split This Rock
Split This Rock believes poetry acts as an agent for change by revealing the diversity and complexity of human experience, reflecting on daily lives and struggles, considering personal and social responsibility, and envisioning a better world. Our work is a dedication to poetry that speaks truth to power, a balm through times of threat and high stakes, an affirmation and celebration of communities that are most at risk, and a call to deeper connection and community. Your support sustains Split This Rock's mission to support poets who are often excluded and underrepresented in the literary landscape, particularly those who are BIPOC, LGBTQ, disabled or chronically ill, and/or working class. If Split This Rock’s poetry, gatherings, and resources have nourished, awakened, incited, validated, calmed, held, or affirmed you: please consider supporting our work by making a one-time donation, and/or becoming a sustaining monthly donor. No contribution is too small, and every dollar goes toward realizing Split This Rock's mission. Your donation creates space for opportunities for poets and readers of all ages to come together for writing workshops, poetry readings, and publication of contemporary poems by poets writing toward social change. Testimonials"I noticed when I would see things happen in the world that made me feel powerless, I could get a little bit of my power back if I wrote a poem." --2025 Youth Activist Poetry Anthology Project Participant"These workshops have great facilitators that cultivate community in a safe and collaborative space." - All-Ages Writing Workshop Participant "I didn't even consider myself a real poet when I first came here, but workshops like these really helped me expand my artistic abilities." - 2025 Celebrating Neurodiversity Youth Writing Workshop Participant"The Quarry has been an important database and archive for my own understanding of the history of poetry. I sincerely appreciate how The Quarry directly highlights the link between poetry and social action." - Educator & Reader of The Quarry: A Social Justice Poetry Database"Split This Rock has been invaluable to me as a young poet, student, teacher, and community member; so much of my mentoring and training has incorporated resources that Split This Rock has provided for free. I would not be the human being or artist that I am without them." - Long-time Community Member & Reader"I think this organization offers a diverse and wide array…of programming to people who want to create and heal and push society forward, and even though poetry should be intrinsically tied to social justice, we don't always see that come into fruition." - Long-time Community Member
Donate today

Contact information

info@splitthisrock.org
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