Announcing "In Gratitude": A City-Wide Practice of Hope - Just Buffalo Literary Center

In Gratitude - Blog - Launch Announcement - Just Buffalo Literary Center - floral background designed by Ariel Aberg-Riger

27 Jan Announcing “In Gratitude”: A City-Wide Practice of Hope

Posted at 09:00h in Community, In Gratitude, Just Buffalo Writing Center, Literary Events, Silo City Reading Series by Noah Falck

How can we nurture hope and sustain courage during trying times? At Just Buffalo Literary Center, we believe the answer lies in how we connect and uplift one another through the power of language.

We are thrilled to announce “In Gratitude,” a city-wide reading and writing initiative designed to bring our community together. This project invites us all to practice “unabashed gratitude”—a concept inspired by the renowned poet and essayist Ross Gay.

Ross Gay - photo credit Natasha Komoda - In Gratitude - Just Buffalo Literary Center
Photo Credit: Natasha Komoda

The project is inspired by Ross Gay’s Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude and The Book of Delights. You can purchase these at our partner bookstores, or borrow them from the public library for a deeper dive into Gay’s work.

There are many ways to join this initiative. Through workshops, pop-up events, shared readings, and more, we will weave a collective tapestry of appreciation that honors the spirit of our city. Whether you have thirty seconds or thirty days, your voice is a vital part of this effort.

Locate a “Gratitude Box” Near You

Over the coming months, you will find “Gratitude boxes” stationed across Western New York, waiting to hold your stories and reflections. Whether it is a small, daily joy or a monumental life shift, we want to hear what sustains you and what gives you hope.

Our uniquely designed “Gratitude boxes” will be located at our partner sites, listed below. Simply visit a location, grab a provided prompt card, and “Write & Drop” a brief moment of gratitude.

Attend Our “In Gratitude” Events

In support of “In Gratitude,” Just Buffalo will be offering a number of other events, including:

Creative Workshops: Held cross the city and at our downtown location at 468 Washington Street
In-School Programs: You can apply to receive a “Gratitude”-themed writing workshop led by a Just Buffalo Teaching Artist (Apply here)
Book Discussion Groups: Just Buffalo teaching artists will lead a deeper dive into the literature and themes of the project
Pop-up Events: Look for our “Talk with a Poet” stations at community events for personalized prompts and on-the-spot inspiration

Join Us at the Final “In Gratitude” Celebration

Our collective journey culminates on June 27, 2026, with a celebration at the Silo City Reading Series (a ticketed event). Featuring Ross Gay and Buffalo’s Poet Laureate Aitina Fareed-Cooke, mark your calendars for a night of readings and performances that celebrate our community’s collective voice.

Our “Gratitude”

This project is a true community effort, and we are grateful to the partners hosting our “Gratitude Boxes” and the sponsors whose vision has brought this initiative to life. We extend our deepest thanks to the Cullen Foundation, Erie County, Foundation 214, The Golden Goldman Philanthropic Fund, The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation, and M&T Bank for their essential support.

We hope you will join us along the way—whether you attend a workshop, join a reading group, or simply share a moment of gratitude at one of our partner stations. Let’s spend this season noticing the goodness around us and building a more hopeful Buffalo together.