Zora's Box
The Black Literature Subscription Service. Delivering Our Stories To Your Door.
Project Description
Hello! My name is Mirabelle Espady. I am a first-generation Haitian American woman with a passion towards creative writing, social advocacy and community building. My work and interests centers imagining and writing stories that reflect the livelihoods of Black families around the globe. I have written an endless array of choreo-poems, short stories and plays exploring narratives and characters that reflect the people and cultures that I am surrounded by and love immensely.
Ultimately, my dream is to use arts and literature as a tool to honor Black Families of all ages, experiences and backgrounds. I believe that the preservation and sharing of our stories can work as a mode of healing because it encourages us to re-engage with history and re-imagine our futures.
Sooooo, I'm taking my leap of faith and following this dream by launching a very special project: Zora's Box!
What is Zora's Box?
Zora’s Box is a literary program that aims to deliver joy and wisdom to the homes of women and their families. It is named for Zora Neale Hurston, the impactful and highly divine literary figure of African American history. Zora Neale Hurston is not just an author. She is an archaeologist, digging for relics of our past. She is a memory collector, dusting off her newly found treasures to frame into story and language. She is our translator, transforming the unfamiliar into a place we are sure to have visited once before. She is the treasure box, where we find parts of ourselves to love, critique, tend to and honor. Zora Neale Hurston used the art of storytelling to preserve African American stories.
Zora’s Box honors this tradition by delivering books and virtual storytelling events to our homes. This program will operate in the style of a subscription box service. A contribution to the Zora Box campaign will ensure that our service is affordable and accessible. Each package will contain:
1. Two-Three Books. You’ll choose the age range for the books you’d like to receive!
2. A monthly pamphlet or “Zine” consisting of reflection prompts based on the months literary themes.
3. Various other surprises/treats sourced from developing small Black businesses.
Zora’s Boxes will be thoughtfully curated to include images and stories that are FOR US and BY US. When you contribute to the Zora Box crowdfund, you help develop the Zora Library: our collection of stories written by Black authors that represent the multitude of experiences and backgrounds that make us brilliant. The Zora Box team will create monthly themes to be used as inspiration points for our curation process. Each monthly theme will incorporate stories of our past and stories that reflect our current times.
Zora's Box won't just be a subscription box service. It will be a community devoted to celebrating our history and imaginations. What other way to celebrate than to build a world where Zora’s Children can join together, share together and laugh together! The Zora Box team will host Zora’s World: a bi-monthly virtual storytelling event held across different social media platforms. These virtual storytelling events will include performances from community members and discussions of our monthly themes. All virtual storytelling events will be archived and made available to view on a digital platforms whenever you please!
Eventually, I see Zora's Box transforming into a marketplace for newly emerging Black authors, a place for young readers/writers to gain mentorship and a center for anything that has to do with celebrating Black Writers. I know what you're thinking..."Damn, Mirabelle..baby steps..."
But I can't help it! I dream big! WE deserve big! Help me make this dream come true by contributing and sharing my campaign. No contribution is too small! Your participation in this huge project does not need to end at a donation. Join the mailing list by visiting the Zora Box website to receive launch updates, gain access to milestone celebrations and be gifted exclusive offers.
Sending all my gratitude and love towards those who help in any way!
With love,
Mirabelle Espady
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
Just Because I Care
My first 100 contributors will receive a special bonus gift!
Be sure to join our mailing list to secure your gift!
Sugary, Comforting, Melt In Your Mouth
Treats Made By Grandma's and Mama's Down South!
Tea Cakes are more than just the clever tasty nickname of
Janie Crawford's beloved young boo.
They are an integral piece of Black-American history/culture!
These cake like cookies were created by Rural Southern Black families who's loving hands found ways to make magic out of the few resources they had.
Decades ago, the warm smell of vanilla, nutmeg, lemon zest and sugars would fill the air of Black kitchens on Juneteeth.
On Special Holidays, only the crumbs of these treats could be found left behind if you weren't quick enough!
These chewy bites are said to be the only treat that kept children quiet and content during a Sunday sermon.
Times passing and new generations of families have transformed this once popular snack into a relic of our past.
But just as Zora Neale Hurston worked tirelessly to revive pieces of our history,
the Z-Team is now working to bring
Tea Cakes back to you!
Select this reward to order 1 Dozen Tea Cakes for $20
(Shipping Included)
Caution: Tea Cakes contain Dairy and Egg products. Please keep in mind while ordering!
Orders estimated to be delivered by 1st week of February!
Rewards
Just Because I Care
My first 100 contributors will receive a special bonus gift!
Be sure to join our mailing list to secure your gift!
Sugary, Comforting, Melt In Your Mouth
Treats Made By Grandma's and Mama's Down South!
Tea Cakes are more than just the clever tasty nickname of
Janie Crawford's beloved young boo.
They are an integral piece of Black-American history/culture!
These cake like cookies were created by Rural Southern Black families who's loving hands found ways to make magic out of the few resources they had.
Decades ago, the warm smell of vanilla, nutmeg, lemon zest and sugars would fill the air of Black kitchens on Juneteeth.
On Special Holidays, only the crumbs of these treats could be found left behind if you weren't quick enough!
These chewy bites are said to be the only treat that kept children quiet and content during a Sunday sermon.
Times passing and new generations of families have transformed this once popular snack into a relic of our past.
But just as Zora Neale Hurston worked tirelessly to revive pieces of our history,
the Z-Team is now working to bring
Tea Cakes back to you!
Select this reward to order 1 Dozen Tea Cakes for $20
(Shipping Included)
Caution: Tea Cakes contain Dairy and Egg products. Please keep in mind while ordering!
Orders estimated to be delivered by 1st week of February!