The Shirley Bradley LeFlore Foundation (SBLF) has developed several program initiatives to launch in 2025 and 2026.
As an artist, educator, and psychologist, Shirley 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 Shirley’s enduring legacy and will be evident in the initiatives undertaken by SBLF. These efforts will prioritize outreach and engagement with the St. Louis community, specifically emphasizing enhancing youth literacy and amplifying the voices of marginalized women.
“I never saw much separation in what was spiritual, social, economic and political. They all influence the whole. Most of the time when we think of community development and urban renewal, we think of a physical plane – building streets, the area itself, how it looks, stores, and services. But the people, especially the youth, there’s never anything focused on them.” ~Shirley Bradley Price LeFlore
Our primary program initiative is C.A.E.L. What is C.A.E.L.? C.A.E.L. is an acronym for the Creative Arts and Expression Laboratory, which was established by the renowned poet and performing artist, the late Shirley Bradley Price LeFlore, who served as the Poet Laureate Emeritus of St. Louis. The purpose of C.A.E.L. is to utilize creative writing as a means of therapy and social transformation, aimed at fostering positive change.
Originally launched in 1983, C.A.E.L. functioned as an inter-generational, multicultural and multiethnic arts consortium and a nurturing space for poets, dancers, musicians, and visual artists. It served as a vibrant creative haven for local artists until it unfortunately closed five years later due to insufficient funding. Now, more than 35 years later, C.A.E.L. is being revived, rebranded, and rejuvenated by SBLF.
C.A.E.L.’s mission continues to be a sanctuary for the literary arts, organizing events and programs that allow writers to connect, share experiences, and discuss the creative process while showcasing their work. C.A.E.L. provides support for writers across various genres, including poetry, creative writing, fiction, non-fiction, playwriting, and screenwriting. This program initiative aims to foster and assist both emerging and established writers through community involvement, social-emotional learning, art therapy, and information literacy.
Some of our targeted partnerships include:
- St. Louis area schools and inner-city youth organizations,
- Transitional women’s group homes and shelters, and
- Area community-based organizations that offer direct service delivery to support recovery and wrap-around service.
Our current C.A.E.L. projects include WRITE ON and WOMAN WARRIORS, which we expect to launch in 2025. A key aspect of these initiatives is acknowledging the significant impact of words and the pen as instruments for creating change, as ideas and thoughts can foster personal development and have a direct effect on the wider community.
Following Shirley’s objectives, SBLF operates as a grassroots organization rather than a hierarchical one. We developed several micro-grants to serve as an affordable way to build relationships with our grantees. We created our community programs to involve residents in innovative initiatives for improving their communities, leading to tangible achievements that they can be proud of.
The SBLF Undergraduate Micro-Grants Program is for high school seniors enrolled at a high school within the St. Louis Public Schools system, in St. Louis, Missouri who have been accepted into a four-year college or university in the State of Missouri. SBLF is offering two micro-grants: one for students majoring in the cultural arts, and one for a psychology major, totaling $4,000 paying $500 per semester for eight semesters. The SBLF Undergraduate Micro-Grants Program will be initiated for its inaugural payouts during the 2026-2027 semesters.
The Shirley Bradley LeFlore Poetry Prize for Women honors and publishes emerging female poets in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Sponsored by SBLF, the winning chapbooks will be published by 2Leaf Press. SBLF will release the submission guidelines and deadlines by the end of the year for 2026.
SBLF is committed to promoting Shirley’s vision and highlighting the moments that honor her legacy as we connect with her work through community service, publishing, and performance.