WESTMONT, IL-InterVarsity Press (IVP) is pleased to announce a groundbreaking new initiative to continue its reputation as a leader in multiethnic publishing. The Every Voice Now (EVN) initiative features a sizable fund underwritten jointly by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and IVP for the purpose of supporting the development, marketing, and sales of books by authors of color as well as aiding in the recruitment of diverse staff and the deepening of the organization’s cultural competency.
“The Every Voice Now initiative is rooted in IVP’s long-standing vision and values, and it seeks to both pursue and elevate voices of color while also recruiting and retaining staff of color who will contribute to and help shape our company’s mission to the university, the church, and the world,” Jeff Crosby, IVP’s publisher, said. “I’m grateful for the Every Voice Now leadership team that has given wings to this dream, and I support it wholeheartedly.”
The initiative is led by a diverse group with more than seventy years of publishing experience among them:
- Terumi Echols, Director of Finance, Fulfillment, and Operations
- Al Hsu, PhD, Senior Editor
- Maila Kim, Events Marketing Coordinator
- Helen Lee, Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives
In addition to the fund, the initiative will launch The Every Voice Now Podcast; hosted by Kim and IVP author Ed Gilbreath (Reconciliation Blues, Birmingham Revolution); it features stories of IVP authors of color on the road to the publication of their books. “The Every Voice Now Podcast reveals the challenges that writers of color face on their journey to becoming published authors,” said Lee, who serves as the producer of the podcast. “Our hope is that listeners will gain a greater appreciation for the work of these authors and better understand the ways in which systemic issues still create barriers for BIPOC in publishing.”
Season 1 featured authors include:
- Esau McCaulley, Reading While Black
- Robert Chao Romero, Brown Church
- Chandra Crane, Mixed Blessing
- Antipas Harris, Is Christianity the White Man’s Religion?
- Juanita Rasmus, Learning to Be
- Liuan Huska, Hurting Yet Whole
- Nikole Lim, Liberation Is Here
- A. D. “Lumkile” Thomason, Permission to Be Black
- Mark Charles, Unsettling Truths
Authors of color who are well acquainted with IVP’s commitment to diverse authors have heralded the initiative as yet another positive step forward in an industry that is still largely white-dominated. Author, speaker, and pastor Brenda Salter McNeil said, “I am thrilled to learn about Every Voice Now. This initiative is yet another example of IVP’s long-standing commitment to support authors of color. I’m very proud of my own publishing journey with IVP and believe that EVN will provide even more support and encouragement to both new and established authors of color.”
“I’m excited to be a part of the Every Voice Now initiative,” said Robert Chao Romero, author of Brown Church and the leadoff guest for The Every Voice Now Podcast. “Many give lip service to the importance of diverse perspectives in the Body of Christ—this initiative is a tangible step.”
Dominique Gilliard, author of Rethinking Incarceration, said, “Every Voice Now is a vitally important initiative that will continue to open the door to BIPOC authors who have lacked equitable access in the world of publishing. EVN is the latest example of IVP’s enduring commitment to amplifying the scholarship of authors of color. IVP has a rich history of identifying, supporting, and creating space for authors of color—including myself—and this new initiative will only enhance their commitment. EVN will be a rich blessing to the church!”
Promotional efforts for the platform will begin the week of October 26; for more information about the Every Voice Now initiative, The Every Voice Now Podcast, and a listing of recent/forthcoming books by IVP authors of color, visit the Every Voice Now website or follow @EveryVoiceNow on Twitter or Instagram.
For more information regarding the initiative, please contact Krista Clayton, Associate Director of Publicity (kclayton@ivpress.com) or Helen Lee, Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives (hlee@ivpress.com).
