This collection of poetry, prose and art by Black womxn and femmes in Pittsburgh grew out of a longing for connection and comfort in a city and a world that is not always tender toward them. The book is a balm they made for themselves. This program will be co-hosted by co-editors and contributors Vanessa German and Deesha Philyaw.

TENDER is brought to you by late-night conversations among Black womxn and femmes telling our stories, talking about us, loving on us. Conversations of reckoning and consideration of the heart and the soul and how we are living with ourselves, friends, family and lovers, through times of stress and social media and false media. This book is brought to you by healing hands, prayers, loud laughter, and freestyles.

Featured contributors and performers include: Cheryl Hall Russell, Melanie Dione, I Medina, Almah LaVon Rice, Aaliyah Thomas, a.k. payne, Ada Griffin, Mequitta Ahuja, Tyra Jamison, Alona Williams, vanessa german, Deesha Philyaw, Shanikqua Peterson, Christina Springer, Celeste C. Smith, Tereneh Idia,  TeOnna Ross, Lisa Pickett, and Jennifer Shannon