Our Story

We are dedicated to broadening the way children see themselves and others by bringing books to
life through literary and cultural programs.

Lorielle J Holloway St Pete Lit Fest

Lorielle J. Hollaway Founder + Dreamer

Hey good people!

I'm Lorielle — a St. Pete native, mama of three, and a lover of art and culture.

In 2018, I founded the Cultured Books Literacy Foundation in South St. Pete, nurturing a reading culture that connects to the ways we've always told our stories: through storytelling, song, art, and the traditions that make us who we are.

I love creating with and for my community, and I'd love for you to be a part of it. Come read and grow with us.

Favorite reads growing up: The Addy Books, My dad's comics, Teen Vogue

The Board

  • A woman with blonde hair wearing a black blazer over a light blue patterned blouse.

    Miriam Pardoll

    Favorite childhood book: Ira Sleeps Over 

  • Portrait of Dulani Porter

    Dulani Porter

    Favorite reads growing up: Beezus and Ramona books, Fudge/Super Fudge, James and the Giant Peach, Where the Sidewalk Ends (I could go on, but I won't)

  • A woman with curly, reddish-brown locs styled with small flowers, wearing blue off-the-shoulder top and gold jewelry, smiling against a plain background.

    Brooke Harris

    Favorite reads growing up: Amelia Bedelia, Miss Nelson is Missing, The Great Gatsby

  • Dawn Goddard Cultured Books

    Dawn Goddard

    Favorite books growing up: Frog and Toad Together, anything by Judy Blume, Bridge to Terabithia, Charlotte’s Web, Bread and Jam for Frances, Choose Your Own Adventure books, and several Little Golden Books like Grover and the Everything in the Whole Wide World Museum, The Monster at the End of This Book, and The Magic Friend-Maker.

  • India Torrez Cultured Books

    India Torrez

    (they/them)
    Fave reads: Verdi, Where The Wild Things Are, Stellaluna

our growth

Partner with us

  • Two young girls and an adult woman participate in a bead craft activity outdoors among trees. The girls are focused on stringing beads while the woman assists. They are surrounded by bowls of colorful beads and craft supplies.

    Become a Sponsor

    Collaborate

    Support archive expansion, technology infrastructure, and community event programming

  • A woman with glasses and gray hair, wearing a green shirt, smiling at a young girl in a white shirt and purple pants, who is holding a craft project with beads and letters. They are at a table outdoors with art supplies, in a green, wooded area.

    Donate to CBLF

    Contribute

    Your donation helps provide literary arts experiences that honor the culture and traditions of South St. Pete.

  • People at a table filled with books, magazines, and water bottles outdoors at a daytime event with people and trees in the background.

    Help Share Our Story

    Press

    Covering literary arts, books, or reading in South St. Pete? We'd love to connect. Reach out for press inquiries, interviews, and media resources.