BUFFALO, NY — 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. Today, Just Buffalo is thrilled to announce “In Gratitude,” a city-wide 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,” says 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, cafes, 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, Jillian Hanesworth, and others.
• 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 on June 27, 2026, as part of the Silo City Reading Series. This grand finale will feature a reading by Ross 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.
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