Through a project sponsored by Poetry Foundation, the Chicago Reader curated a series of poems written in response to the question: In the wake of sexual violence, exploitation or harassment, what does survival look like? The resulting poetry and spoken word, curated by writer Nikki Patin, is truthful yet hopeful, speaking to the resilience of a community of writers who have been shaped — but refuse to be defined – by the violence that they have lived through. Join us for a special Lit Fest reading featuring the writers from that series: Mojdeh Stoakley, Saunte Harden-Tate, Ona Wang, Anne K. Ream and Nikki Patin. The performance will conclude with a crowdsourced poetic performance from The Voices and Faces Project’s “Louder Together” series.

Part of Printers Row Lit Fest, located on South Dearborn Street, from Ida B. Wells to Polk Street.