Kortney Morrow is a poet, arts advocate, and organizational strategist with over ten years of experience advocating for literacy and the literary arts. She has worked with established and emerging arts organizations across the nation to identify their long-term visions, set strategies, and develop fundraising plans to actualize their dreams.
During her time with the 826 National Network, Kortney helped to secure over $1 million in funding for free youth creative writing programs. She helped launch the first Southern chapter of the network, 826 New Orleans, by serving as a principal fundraiser for their ongoing annual fund and 2018 capital campaign. With her support, 826 New Orleans opened a 4,000 sq. ft. youth writing center in the heart of the 7th Ward. Her work has supported thousands of young black, brown, and queer students in strengthening their writing skills and sharing their stories. Kortney is committed to ensuring emerging artists have the tools they need to write their own paths forward.
As a writer, Kortney’s work has received support from 68to05, The Academy of American Poets, The Studio Museum in Harlem, Prairie Schooner, Tin House, and Transition Magazine at The Hutchins Center at Harvard University. Her debut poetry collection, Run It Back, won the 2024 Saturnalia Books Poetry Prize, judged by Carmen Giménez. Kortney is represented by McKinnon Literary and holds an MFA in Poetry from The Ohio State University. Born and raised in Cleveland, Kortney now lives around the corner from where she grew up.