Looking 4Words

“Sometimes softness is what leads to change.”

A quote by, well, me.

Why? Because not everything has to be loud and done with a bang. While simulatenously, too much is too loud and filled with banging (of metal, bodies, heads…)

But why are we starting this off with softness? Because to be honest, it’s been a hard year. And we’re looking to not only end it in a cozy and gentler way, we’re also doing a soft launch of a new collective called 4WORDS.

What a great way to look forwards, with softness.

Compassion.

Humanity.

Care.

But what is 4WORDS?

Well, 4words is a queer-centered creative collective using poetry, stories, songs, art, and spoken word to build global solidarity, support charitable causes, and create inclusive, decolonized safe spaces. We believe in the transformative power of words and creativity to uplift marginalized voices, challenge oppression, and foster healing, resistance, and community across borders.

But who’s we? We is all of us. And hopefully that includes you!

But currently, myself, Jim, Muchtar, R.C. Taylor, and James have joined together (along with some background support cheering us on) to form and head this virtual creative collective. And we’re gearing up to officially (and organizedly) launch in 2026. But softly first.

This December 28th at 7pm (EST), we’re throwing a free end-of-year virtual writing retreat. The holiday season can be a buttload of mishmash, and we wanted to join one last time in this buttfucked 2025 year to share space and words together. This event is open to all ages, skill levels, and types of writers.

Registration is required (and free) to receive the Looking 4Words event link.

Here’s the WHY we’re doing all this:

Once upon a time, a bunch of rad ass folks met through a site called Vocal and a group called Queer Vocal Voices, and vibed with each other’s powerful words. They wanted to do more though. To connect. But due to silly things called kilometers, borders, and capitalism, it took some time and a bunch of virtual meetings to get it going. We knew that we wanted to team up, and to create a positive change and safe space.

At the same time, so many folks have been struggling with access aid while the few dummies hoard it all. How could we support our communities? And so not only did we want to create artistic spaces, but also a way to support others through mutual aid and fundraisers. Of course, no one would be turned away for not being able to financially give. The point was to create space that anyone could access, and for those that could give- they’d be directed to where.

Our Past Initiatives:

We’re running weekly prompts with the help of powerful quotes. Our first one, a raw message by Sonya Renee Taylor, “Your body is not an apology”, opened up a conversation around what our bodies carry. You can check out some of the vulnerable poems and prose below:

We also held a virtual Halloween Open Mic to support Jasmin’s Garden’s fundraising initiative for Black households and families in Atlanta, US, struggling with the SNAP cuts. Shout out to all those who attended!

We’ve also held some other open mics and slam events prior to officially becoming 4WORDS. And featured powerful artists. Those Pop Up fundraising events are what led us to really forming this collective.

To this date, we’ve fundraised close to $500 for different initiatives. But this is just the start!

Our Future Vision:

Having goals and a vision is something key to any successful organization. And while we are still small, we have some hopeful goals for 2026. We want to create an intentional and meaningful network, a virtual community of creatives while supporting those near and far. This we know. But more specifically…

Let’s break it down:

-We want to run two virtual creative events quarterly

-Connect globally (fuck borders!), through social media & word of mouth, increase the reach!

-Facilitate and showcase a creative hive

-Support by exposure & financial aid, various communities, nonprofits, and grassroot organizations; with an emphasis on BIPOC & 2SLGBTQ+ groups

-Feature a variety of artists along with some sort of compensation

Basically we have a lot of goals.

And we hope you can be a part of making it all happen. Because without you, without community- what’s the point?

Find Us On:

Facebook- Join our 4WORDS Facebook group for prompts, challenges, events, and community support.

Instagram- For wonderfully curated and crafted media to share, along with our weekly prompts and event notices.