Let Her Speak

10/22/2026

It's our LAST Let Her Write Story Circle of the Year! And this month we're bringing all the divine feminine energy combined with spooky-season vibes at a fabulous historic home 🧙🎃

📅 Tuesday, October 27th, 2026
🕕 6:00 – 8:00 PM
📍 Mabry-Hazen House

🗣️ Guest Storyteller: Angel Howard
✍️ Writing Activity Leader: Amanda Sproles

Topic: Unmasking Your Authentic Voice

Join us for an immersive evening centered on reconnecting with your authentic self and tapping into what we each choose to cultivate in our lives.

We are thrilled to be joined by guest storyteller, Angel Howard, author of Issues in Your Tissue and What's Messing with Your Messages. Angel will guide us through a process of shedding expectations, unmasking who we are beneath our daily roles, and stepping fully into our true voice.

Our own LHW Co-Cordinator, Amanda Sproles, will be leading a writing activity alongside Angel. In the activity, we'll be challenged to release our outer expectations to uncover our true core focus, followed by actionable steps to support our vision.

This evening isn’t about striving to become someone new — it’s about discovering, embracing, and expressing the fullest version of who we already are.

RSVP for free here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/letherspeak/2448166

Can't wait to see you there!

09/24/2026

Ever wondered how a book actually goes from an idea to the shelves? 📖✨

Join us for this month's Let Her Write Story Circle, where we'll hear from author, Sustainable Innovation Strategist, Startup Coach, and Knoxville’s own 40 Under 40 honoree - Lilly Belanger Tench 🗣️

Lilly will be demystifying the publishing world, breaking down how to craft a compelling book proposal, and sharing what it really takes to get published.

Plus, we'll dive into a hands-on activity to help you break through your own creative blocks and get the words flowing!

📅 Tuesday, September 29th
🕕 6:00 – 8:00 PM
📍 KnoxFill | Knoxville’s Zero Waste Refillery (6204 Chapman Hwy)

Whether you're pitching a book or just starting a journal, come get inspired!

🎟️ Save your spot here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/letherspeak/2413206

This event is free and open to anyone to attend.

08/02/2026

BACK BY OVERWHELMING DEMAND!
Join us for an evening dedicated to the power of our voices and stories.

RSVP here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/letherspeak/2316061

Let Her Speak Open Mic Night is a celebration of storytelling in all its forms, bringing together the Knoxville community for a night of vulnerability, connection, and creative expression.

While the microphone is reserved for women performers, EVERYONE is invited to attend, listen, and support.

Event Details
📅 When: Thursday, August 6th, 6 - 8pm
📍 Where: Lilienthal Art Gallery
🎤 Who: Performances by women from across East TN
🎟️ Admission: FREE + Open to the public

Our first Open Mic in February was PACKED with standing room only! Let's bring that same incredible energy to our Summer Edition! 🌟

We can't wait to see you there!

07/07/2026

06/26/2026

NEXT WEEK is our LAST Let Her Write until September! If you've been wanting to join our monthly meet-up or haven't been back in awhile - we want to see you there for a special, uplifting evening!

📅 Tuesday, June 30th, 2026
⏰ 6:00 – 8:00 PM
📍 Flock B**r & W**e
🎤: Melanie Annabelle LaFoy, Singer, Songwriter, & Chef

We are hosting a unique hybrid event blending a supportive writer’s workshop with an intimate songwriter night - creating a sacred, inspiring space for women to connect, hone their craft, and amplify one another’s stories.

We are thrilled to welcome a talented local singer-songwriter Melanie LaFoy! She will be performing a few of her original pieces and sharing insights into her creative process, lyricism, and how she brings stories to life through music.

Following Melanie’s performance, any attendee will be welcome to “take the stage” and share a piece of writing she’s working on for us to celebrate & (only if requested) offer feedback, inspiration, and motivation to keep going!

Whether you are a published author, a bedroom poet, a seasoned musician, or someone who hasn't written in years but feels the itch to rediscover her voice - you are welcome here.

RSVP here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/letherspeak/2239727

These events are free and open to anyone to join!

05/21/2026

It's almost the last week of May, and that means we get to bring our community together for our monthly Let Her Write Story Circle!

We're so excited to host the incredible poet and book designer, Rachel Clift (.cliftpoetry), as our guest storyteller.

📅 Tuesday, May 26th, 2026
🕕 6:00 – 8:00 PM
📍 Co-working
🗣️ Guest Storyteller: Rachel Clift, Author & Book Designer

📚 TOPIC FOR MAY: THE READER EXPERIENCE
plus a special *role-playing game* activity!

What does it feel like to be on the receiving end of a story? We often focus so much on the "writer’s craft" that we forget the magic ✨ happens in the space between the page and the person reading it.

For our May session of the Let Her Write Story Circle, we are diving deep into "The Reader Experience", exploring how our words land, how they are interpreted, and how a writer can curate a specific journey for their audience.

🦸‍♀️ PLUS Introducing: Seeing the Superhero in You Collaborative Activity 🌟

After our guest storyteller, we’ll put these concepts into practice with a collaborative storytelling role-playing game. As a group, we will put our collective powers to work as we build a story fighting alongside other powerful superheroes.

This interactive exercise will put into practice the writing concepts we've covered throughout this series. Don't worry!! Even if this will be your first Let Her Write event - you won't be lost. It's designed to be inclusive for everyone.

Join us as we listen, learn, connect, and laugh with other women who are ready to be heard.

We'll see you there!
Catherine, Casey, & Maggie
Let Her Write Team

🎟️ RSVP here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/letherspeak/2164382

05/15/2026

There's always an indescribable ✨ magic ✨ in the room when women are encouraged to dream big and to share that dream with others.

We felt that magic during every session of our Business Pitch Cohort program that ran alongside our Women's Capital Series this Spring.

All that magic was amplified tenfold last week during the grand finale Pitch Day where our 9 women founders shared their purpose-driven businesses each built for community impact.

Thank you to everyone who showed up to celebrate these amazing ladies! If you haven't already, please give them each a follow:

Karen Ocon
Heather Zuchowski
Krishanda Upton
Destynie Ireland
Bonnie Casamassima
Magnolia Harbor Carefarm
Jasmine Allmon
Deahna Joi
Kenya Ransey

A BIG thank you to Erica Mac for her incredible co-facilitation and mentorship alongside our Executive Director, Catherine Porth.

To our amazing judges Liz Mabey of How Women Invest, Brandon Bruce of Market Square Ventures, Savannah Mosier of Avison Young, and Sherry Dial of Dial Services - thank you for your encouragement, support, and feedback to our founders.

Shout-out to our snack spread providers , , for their delicious treats!

And to our amazing sponsor, , thank you for your years of ongoing support to our mission and for making this event possible!

We have LOTS of new things cooking behind the scenes, so make sure you're on our monthly newsletter list by signing up at https://letherspeakusa.org/newsletter/.

05/15/2026

The three-month program, organized by Knoxville-based nonprofit Let Her Speak, was designed to equip female founders with the tools, network and real-world experience needed to navigate business growth and investment.

05/02/2026

9 Founders
5 Minutes to Pitch
1 Big Beautiful Business Dream

We can't wait for the community to hear from these amazing women each changing their corner of the world for the better.

Because that's what women do... we solve the problems that others don't see.

Join us NEXT WEEK as we celebrate and support our ecosystem of women entrepreneurs at the Women's Capital Series Pitch Day!

📅 Date: Tuesday, May 5th
⏰ Time: 11am - 12:30pm
📍 Location: 121 Tech Hub in Old City

🍴 Snacks will be provided by three local women-owned businesses: Girls Gotta Eat Good, , and

RSVP here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/letherspeak/2067901

Meet the Founders:
Heather Zuchowski |
Karen Ocon | .mindset
Krishanda Upton |
Dr. Bree Conklin | Magnolia Harbor Carefarm
Bonnie Casamassima |
Destynie Ireland |
Kenya Ransey |
Jasmine Allmon |
Deahna Joi |

04/30/2026

Join us NEXT TUESDAY for the grand finale of the Women’s Capital Series! This is where the "real talk" meets real action.

Watch 9 incredible women founders take the stage to present their purpose-driven businesses to a room of pros.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a future investor, or a community supporter - come hear about the impact these women will have with their business ideas. Who knows?! You may be just the person she needs to make it happen.

Pitch Day 🎤
When: May 5th | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Where: 121 Tech Hub

Presented by:

But we aren't stopping with just the pitches! We’re closing out three months of growth, networking, and power-building in style. Let’s toast to our community of powerful women and talk about what else we can build together.

Happy Hour Celebration 🥂
When: May 5th | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Where:

RSVP for both events here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/letherspeak/2067901

**EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO JOIN US**