About Us

Women of color remain significantly underrepresented in publishing, media, and creative industries. Their stories are often marginalized, their voices diminished, and their narratives deemed too specific or unmarketable. This absence doesn't just limit individual opportunities—it narrows the entire literary landscape, depriving readers of essential perspectives and erasing vital narratives from our collective story.

We exist to bridge this gap. To create pathways where none existed. To ensure that young women of color see themselves reflected not just as characters on a page, but as the authors holding the pen.

Beyond representation, we address the lack of access to resources, mentorship, and creative community that many young women face. Writing requires more than talent—it requires encouragement, guidance, and the belief that your story matters. Too many young women of color grow up without access to writing programs, without mentors who understand their experiences, and without spaces where they can develop their craft free from judgment.

We provide what the world has withheld: intentional support, skilled instruction, and a community that sees them fully. We invest in their voices early, so they enter adulthood equipped not just with writing skills, but with the confidence to claim space in rooms that were never designed for them.

This work is urgent. Every year we wait, another generation of writers remains silenced. Every story left untold is a loss—not just for the writer, but for all of us.

A Lovely Foundation was born from one woman's lived experience of grace. Kadijah Sesay, a writer, educator, and international nonprofit leader, received care, guidance, and steadfast support during the formative seasons of her creative journey. Because others once held space for her voice to rise, she now extends that same devotion to every woman seeking to reclaim her own.

Growing up in the historic neighborhoods of Washington, D.C., Kadijah was nurtured by the wisdom of elders and teachers who recognized her potential before she could name it herself. They placed into her hands the words of Dr. Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, and Alice Walker—women whose voices ignited something essential within her. Those literary encounters shaped her understanding of what was possible, both as a writer and as an educator committed to nurturing others.

Guided by that early illumination, she went on to create spaces for others—first in classrooms, then in broader community settings, and eventually on international stages. Today, she works with women of influence who have already transformed lives, inspiring them to undertake the essential work of bringing their purpose to the page. Through their writing, these women shape legacies that endure, touching lives across generations.

Kadijah understands that her reach alone is limited. But by empowering other women to tell their stories, she creates exponential impact. As Dr. Maya Angelou wrote, "I come as one, but I stand as ten thousand." This principle guides everything she builds.

A Lovely Foundation is her expression of gratitude to the village that shaped her—a deliberate continuation of the circle of care she received. She offers it with open hands and a full heart, providing tools, community, and encouragement to the women rising behind her.

This foundation is both thank you and invitation. It honors those who came before while actively supporting those still emerging.