• Home

Welcome to the TLA Network 

The TLA Network exists to support and promote individuals and organizations that use the spoken, written, or sung word as a tool for personal and community transformation.

Our mission is to foster the growth of the field and profession of Transformative Language Arts (TLA), by providing spaces, both physical and electronic, where people interested in TLA can share resources, network, learn, and enhance their capacity to practice it in their communities. 

We offer:


2024 Power of Words

This powerful conference brings together writers, storytellers, performers, musicians, educators, activists, healers, health professionals, community leaders, and more! Together we explore the written, spoken and sung word, seeking to find how it can bring liberation, celebration, and transformation to individuals and communities. 

We look forward to offering workshops in five tracks -- Narrative Medicine/ Healing Stories, Social Transformation, Engaged Spirituality, Eco-TLA, and Right Livelihood. Please note: our call for workshop proposals is only open until April 1, 2024. Submit your Power of Words Workshop Proposal here.

Pre-Conference events will be held on Thursday evening and Friday morning and afternoon. They are open to all Conference attendees for an additional fee.

See our keynoters -- Ada Cheng, Glenn North, Marianela Medrano, and Exodus Brownlee -- and the musicians and poets laureate coming as well as the schedule and other information here.

You can find travel and lodging information here.


Register Now

Submit your Power of Words Workshop Proposal



Upcoming classes & events

Join us for the next TLAN Virtual Salon on April 7, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. (ET)/2:00 p.m. (PT).

The Transformative Language Arts Network (TLAN) virtual salon will feature presenters who are active members of TLAN. Each presenter will have 5-7 minutes to present their written, spoken, or sung work followed by a brief period of audience response. 

Potential Presenters: To present at the Virtual Salon you must be an active member of TLAN. (Active members are current on their dues. Check on your membership status or re-join TLAN here.) If you are interested in presenting, please fill out the Google Form by March 24, 2024. If we have a multitude of entries we may have to feature you at a future salon. 

Audience members: Registration is FREE and open to anyone, not just members of TLAN. Register for the Virtual Salon.

We look forward to seeing you at the next TLAN Virtual Salon!

Catch up on the previous Virtual Salons at TLAN’s YouTube page.


Certificate in TLA Foundations

We offer a certificate in Transformative Language Arts Foundations, an introduction to TLA in theory and practice with a focus on ethical work, community networking, and TLA in action. To learn more, visit our Certificate in TLA Foundations page.


Looking for your very own Power of Words superhero t-shirt?

Maybe a copy of the foundational "The Power of Words" for your TLA Certification?

We tuck one of our popular superhero stickers into every order!

(Please note: items can only be shipped within the continental U.S. and may take up to 30 days to be delivered.)



Why become a TLAN member?

“Within TLAN, I’ve experienced a profound sense of validity, of acceptance and support, that goes far beyond camaraderie. It’s inspirational, and it’s practical. It motivates me, and it provides tools and ideas that inform every aspect of my work. TLAN classes, conferences, and programs have expanded and deepened my own creative work; pieces begun as class assignments have been published and are forthcoming. Shared advice and discoveries from other members has enriched and extended my coaching practice, helping me help others tell their stories.”

– Judy Brenneman

Learn more about TLAN membership


Outstanding Transformative Language Arts Organization of the Year

Community Building Art Works

Seema Reza, CEO & Poetry Facilitation

Outstanding Transformative Language Arts Practitioner
Vanita Leatherwood
for Hope Works of Howard County

Outstanding Transformative Language Arts Publication
Journal of Expressive Writing
Edited and founded by Jennifer Minotti

Outstanding Transformative Language Arts Network Volunteer
John L. Swainston, TLA Network board member and treasurer

(clockwise from upper left)

Thank you to our generous, creative

18th Power of Words Conference sponsors!

We couldn't do what we do without you and people and organizations like you. 


The Yes Within

The Yes Within's Website

Contact them at: vanita@theyeswithin.com

I believe that inside each of us there is a living well; the fount of our spirit. The Yes Within workshops and private sessions create pathways to that power, to stimulate personal growth, joy, wellbeing & healing.


Community Building Art Works

Community Building Art Works Website

Contact them at: info@cbaw.org

CBAW is a charitable organization that builds healthy and connected communities through workshops led by professional artists where veterans and civilians share creative expression, mutual understanding, and support. Join us for free and low cost virtual workshops and events.


Poetry&

Poetry&'s Website

Contact them at: poetryamp@gmail.com

Poetry& is an Iowa-based nonprofit organization created to advance awareness and appreciation for poetry and poets through educational events that celebrate the written and spoken word. They are dedicated to nurturing creativity, encouraging understanding, and enriching lives by making the cultural and communication benefits of poetry accessible — especially to underserved communities.


Emporia State University—School of Humanities & Social Sciences

Emporia State's School of Humanities & Social Sciences Website

Contact them at: bluestem@emporia.edu // 620-341-1200

Emporia State University's School of Humanities and Social Sciences offers you the opportunity to dive deeper into topics that interest you most while gaining skills in communicating, problem-solving, research, and more. In Creative Writing, English, and our new BA program in Languages, Literary Study, and Writing you can learn how to write better, teach, express yourself through poetry and prose, develop a screenplay, or film a video essay. All while exploring the world around you.  


Greenfire Creative

Greenfire Creative's Website

Contact them at: 970-215-6102 | judyb@greenfire-creative.com

We help you tell the story--through writing coaching; writing retreats, workshops, and programs; writing and editing services; and writing resources.


Joy Zimmerman Music

Joy Zimmerman Music's Website

Contact them at: https://joyzimmermanmusic.com/contact

Joy Zimmerman is a touring folk & acoustic roots singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Joy’s soulful voice lights up songs of hope, resilience, and humor. Joy's new album, "Where the Light Lives," illuminates light within the cracks of these challenging times and debuted at #6 on the Folk Alliance International (FAI) Folk Chart Top Albums August 2023.


Your Right Livelihood

Your Right Livelihood's Website

Contact them at: Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg - carynmirriamgoldberg@gmail.com and Kathryn Lorenzen - kathryn.lorenzen@gmail.com

Classes, Coaching, and Retreats on the Work, Art, and Service You Love With Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg and Kathryn Lorenzen


Hopeworks

Hopeworks Website

Contact them at: vleatherwood@hopeworksofhc.org

HopeWorks is a private nonprofit agency with a mission is to support and advocate for people in Howard County affected by sexual and intimate partner violence and to engage the community in creating the change required for violence prevention. We use the arts in three important ways to accomplish our mission: to support survivors in their healing; as a vehicle to increase awareness; and to imagine creative solutions to bring about social change.

To accomplish our mission, we use an anti-racist/anti-oppression analysis and framework; enabling us to address and decrease the root causes of sexual and intimate partner violence, as well as the systems that fuel sexism, racism, poverty, transphobia, health disparities, homophobia, ableism, genocide, xenophobia, and other forms of oppression.  We support and partner with others doing anti-racist/anti-oppression work, efforts to achieve healthier relationships and a world where each person is safe, valued and affirmed.


Success Coaching with Ronda Miller

Contact them at: Coachingforliferonda@yahoo.com | 785-840-4150

Whether you want to rewrite your trauma, achieve personal goal setting, inspire your creativity, build better interpersonal relationships, or need accountability, Success Coaching has plans to help you succeed.


Access our policies: Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use

The Transformative Language Arts Network is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization

1741 Valley Forge Road, #175, Worcester, PA 19490

tlan.coordinator@gmail.com

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software