Celebrating Stories, Creativity, and Community

Our Why
Chocolate City Literature Festival (CCLF) is a community-centered literary festival and a flagship program of Queens of the Pages Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization rooted in connection, culture, and the power of stories.
Queens of the Pages began as a book club created to bring readers together beyond the pages. What started as intimate conversations around books grew into a larger literary community focused on access, representation, and shared experience. Chocolate City Literature Festival was created as an extension of that work.

CCLF exists to create space for readers, for independent authors, and for community.

About Chocolate City Literature Festival

Based in Washington, DC, Chocolate City Literature Festival is a multi-day celebration of literature, creativity, and culture that centers independent and emerging authors alongside readers, creatives, and community partners.

Many of the authors who participate in CCLF are independent creatives building their platforms and connecting directly with readers. The festival provides opportunities for discovery, visibility, and meaningful connection without gatekeeping.

Through panels, author signings, conversations, youth programming, and immersive moments, CCLF focuses on creating an experience that feels welcoming, intentional, and rooted in community.

Our Community + Programs

Chocolate City Literature Festival operates under Queens of the Pages Inc., which also includes Queens of the Pages Book Club, a reader-led community built on conversation, connection, and shared love of books.

Our work also includes community-centered literary experiences that celebrate Black stories and independent creatives, as well as spaces where readers, authors, and creatives can engage with literature in accessible and meaningful ways.

Why Your Support Matters

Chocolate City Literature Festival is made possible through community support and collaboration.

While participating authors are primarily independent, donations allow us to focus on creating a thoughtful, well-organized experience for attendees, authors, and volunteers alike.

Your support helps us design welcoming spaces for panels, signings, and conversations, maintain clear organization and flow throughout the festival, offer youth and family-friendly programming, coordinate volunteers and on-site support, and create an experience that prioritizes access, care, and connection.

How Donations Support the Festival

Community contributions help cover the essential elements that make the festival possible, including venue and space preparation, production and technical needs, materials and signage, volunteer coordination and hospitality, and planning and operational support.

Every contribution plays a role in sustaining this work.

Nonprofit Information

Queens of the Pages Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Chocolate City Literature Festival operates as a program under Queens of the Pages Inc.

EIN: 39-2279011

All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.