The primary objective of the Creative Arts and Expression Laboratory (C.A.E.L.) is to leverage creative writing as a therapeutic and transformative social endeavor aimed at instigating positive change. Our current C.A.E.L. initiatives are WRITE ON and WOMAN WARRIORS. Central to this endeavor is the recognition of the influential power of words and the pen as a tool for effecting change, as ideas and thoughts can inspire personal growth and directly impact the broader community.
As an artist, educator, and psychologist, Shirley Bradley Price LeFlore worked arduously as a change agent in the community. She emphasized the importance of artists and the arts being devoted to the community’s advancement, particularly in fostering the growth of its members. The principles of collectivism and community were integral to LeFlore’s enduring legacy and will be evident in the initiatives undertaken by the SBLF and C.A.E.L. These efforts will prioritize outreach and engagement with the St. Louis community, with a specific emphasis on enhancing youth literacy and amplifying the voices of marginalized women.