this feels good.
we’re in the last quarter of 2021 and 2022 is looking to be quite the year!
last friday i won the 2021 svp pitch competition held by svp tampa bay in partnership with community foundation of tampa bay.
the pitch competition was for bay area nonprofits to pitch their mission and demonstrate how their nonprofit is a social enterprise.
here’s what makes us a social enterprise; cultured books literacy foundation (cblf) is our nonprofit where we empower culturally responsive literacy experiences for youth in south st. pete and we’re financially supported through our multicultural children's co/branded bookshop. every time a purchase is made at the shop a portion of profits are given to the foundation.
back to the pitch…whew, night of, i was sooo nervous, it even took me a second to come from the curtains after ms. campos called my name to present. but i did it! by the grace of God i said my entire speech:)
since 2020 my colleague ray grace and i have been going out for funding and while we were constantly met with compliments on our programming, ultimately we were told it didn't meet the metrics to be funded.
so this win, feels pretty amazing and scary in a way! cblf is finally receiving recognition. i knew that svp pitch would be our introduction to the philanthropic community and wanted people to understand the importance of what we do and how we do it. i think we accomplished that at the pitch not just from the judges but from the audience members who came to me after with congratulatory remarks, telling me they connected with our mission.
it’s a bit scary because even though i see the end clear as day, going through the motions of navigating imposter syndrome, not knowing everything and how things work, figuring out how to use this newfound popularity to bring up not just myself but my community and then simply run a nonprofit… it’s a lot. having thee best board and support system makes it less frightening.
members of CBLF board and my extended family celebrating CBLF win. what a night!
that end road i’m talking about is acquiring city owned property on 22nd street that has been vacant for 20+ years, being donated money by the city, county and state to build a literary haven for a community that is historically under — resourced and creating a culture that sustains the mission well beyond my time here.
it’s happening and i’m so excited! i’ll be documenting this journey periodically because like i said in my speech “this is the story of literacy in pinellas county and I am in the writers room.”
meet me here each month for an update on how it’s going.
peace, love + books,
lorielle
