Shirley Bradley LeFlore Foundation
An intergenerational local arts consortium in St. Louis
On April 24th, the Shirley Bradley LeFlore Foundation and the Pulitzer Arts Foundation launched a powerful new partnership with The Art of Conversation—a night filled with poetry, legacy, and community. Relive the magic with our full event recap..
At SBLF, Mother’s Day holds a deep meaning because it marks the anniversary of the passing of our beloved Shirley Bradley Price LeFlore, who departed on Mother’s Day morning, Sunday, May 12, 2019, at the age of 79, surrounded by her family in her Frontenac home. Even though Shirley is no longer with us, her…
Filmed in 2020 and 2021 during the height of the pandemic, Poetry in Motion: St. Louis Poets Take the Mic will debut on Nine PBS in St. Louis on May 28 at 2:00 PM. CHECK OUT THE TRAILER Directed by Dana Christian and created, produced, and hosted by Lyah Beth LeFlore-Ituen, this documentary showcases compelling…
Light a candle for me Say a prayer Whisper me into the wind Lay a love wreath on the alter of your heart And remember my good days amongst you. [1] In this season of reflection and gratitude, I celebrate my mother, the late Shirley Bradley Price LeFlore—a woman whose words healed, whose artistry ignited…
My Nana, Shirley Bradley Price LeFlore, spoke not in whispers but in powerful declarations that will resonate through the ages. She transformed the everyday struggles of Black women—like gossip at the beauty salon, harmonies in the church choir, and the ache of a lover’s absence—into something precious. Shirley’s poetry was more than just beautiful language;…
In 1995, motivated by the successes of Black History Month and Women’s History Month, the Academy of American Poets established National Poetry Month, which officially launched on April 1, 1996.
This National Poetry Month, I celebrate the life, the legacy, and the luminous spirit of my mother, the late St. Louis Poet Laureate Emeritus Shirley Bradley Price LeFlore A poet, performer, educator, and psychologist, she was a force of nature—prolific, profound, and unwavering in her commitment to the power of words and their connection to…
Cheeraz Gormon is a cultural advocate who creates engaging and culturally significant narratives that deeply connect with people. She is a visual storyteller, poet, and author, as well as a photographer and activist who utilizes both spoken and written language to highlight the overlooked realities of individuals, organizations, and communities. Gormon is also a spiritual…