Who we are
As of 2020, 2Leaf Press is published by 2Leaf Press Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in New York. 2Leaf Press was formerly an imprint of the Intercultural Alliance of Artists & Scholars, Inc. (IAAS).

The IAAS was a NY-based nonproft organization founded in 2000 to create multiple literary programs, such as phatLiterature A Literary TV Show, phati’tude Literary Magazine, our literary series at the Langston Hughes Community Library & Cultural Center and the Bowery Poetry Club, and other projects. As we found ourselves focusing all of our energy and resources into 2Leaf Press, it made sense to create an entity that reflects this as our sole effort, so 2Leaf Press Inc., a nonprofit multimedia company, was born.

Our mission
2Leaf Press’ mission is to publish multigenerational and multicultural poets, authors, artists, activists and scholars who communicate stories and ideas that inform, entertain, educate, inspire, and connect to readers everywhere. The press is also committed to expanding its publication of books with multimedia projects such as videos, apps, audiobooks and by any other means that will engage and excite our readers. We remain dedicated to publishing works that challenge social justice issues with poetry and nonfiction works. We will also continue to manage and make available phati’tude Literary Magazine, as well.

Our people
2Leaf Press was founded by publisher Gabrielle David in 2012, partly in remembrance of her dad but also because she saw the need to expand her multicultural mandate through books. Throughout the years, some great people have volunteered their time as staff members, memorably: Adam Wier, translator and editor; Kevin E. Tobar Pesántez, poetry editor; and editors Ben Lafferty, Phyllis Huang, and Karen Chau. We have also had help from social media college interns from across the country, and volunteer editors, notably Nicole Catarino, Eileen Sholomicky, and Vynetta A. Morrow, on the TRAILBLAZERS project.

Today, the key personnel of 2Leaf Press are Gabrielle David, publisher and editor; Sean Frederick Forbes, editor of the 2LP EXPLORATIONS IN DIVERSITY series; Carolina Fung Feng, translator and editor; Dé-Jon Graves, art director; and Kathryn Siddell, editor. We occasionally receive additional help from poetry editor Sean Dillon and book cover designs and videos by Vagabond.

All of these individuals and their contributions have aided in the press’ development and has helped shaped 2Leaf Press to what it has become today. As we celebrate 2Leaf Press’ tenth anniversary (2012-2022), we remain committed to publishing and promoting diverse authors who produce multicultural literature.

Our authors
2LP Authors create content through which our shared mission is brought to life with highly-engaging literature from diverse perspectives. Together, we create vibrant and enriching books designed for real-life impact. As a result, some of our authors have received stellar reviews in publications such as Kirkus, Midwest Book Review, Booklist Online, local publications, and blogs, as well reader reviews from Amazon, Goodreads and Barnes & Noble. 2LP Authors have participated in penetrating interviews in print media, blogs, podcasts and radio stations, which you can find at 2LP Press & Publicity.  We also have produced several Book promos, which you can find at Videos. Consider our website a resource to learn about, and connect with, 2LP Authors and their books.

What we do and how we do it
2Leaf Press produces high-quality books in hardcover, paperback, and eBook editions that rival those from major publishing houses. We attract a diverse range of submissions from individuals of various backgrounds, including people of color, women, LGBTQ community members, and White authors who value the expected editorial standards of their work. More importantly, 2Leaf Press is committed to publishing works that address social justice issues through poetry and nonfiction.

Starting in 2025, 2Leaf Press Inc. will be independently managing its distribution through various channels, including IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, and Bookshop.org. This will enhance our global presence across major online platforms, physical bookstores, and libraries.

What sets us apart from other small presses is our early integration into the digital landscape and leveraging modern technology to our advantage. We utilize print-on-demand (POD) and traditional short-run printing for our physical books, and we produce eBooks that comply with EPUB and XHTML standards. Our print books and eBooks can be purchased from us directly on our website through Bookshop.org.

Meanwhile, 2Leaf Press will maintain its focus on collaborating with authors throughout the publishing journey, from design and editing to sales, marketing, production, and distribution. We are dedicated to safeguarding our authors’ intellectual property and advocating for freedom of expression, ensuring their voices resonate beyond the written word and into communities worldwide. Our team is committed to helping authors achieve their best work and discovering innovative ways to share stories and ideas with global audiences.

Our accomplishments
Since its founding in 2012, as of 2025, 2Leaf Press has published 56 print books and 40 eBooks, showcasing 31 authors and featuring contributions from over 200 writers in our 2LP EXPLORATIONS IN DIVERSITY series, along with various individuals who provided forewords, prefaces, introductions, and afterwords for some of these titles. 2Leaf Press has also published books under our other series, NUYORICAN WORLD SERIES, 2LP TRANSLATIONS, and 2LP CLASSICS. The common thread among our authors is their unique cultural perspectives, which are evident in the fiction and nonfiction they produce across various genres. They draw on their diverse experiences in areas such as travel, art, politics, and social issues to offer readers fresh ideas and viewpoints.

Our end game
2Leaf Press is strongly attached to its home in New York City, its native language and landscape, and its vast richness of cultures, so we consider ourselves “local internationalists,” committed to bringing readers an eclectic mixture of multicultural writers. As a small press, we publish a limited number of original titles (approximately ten books per year) during Spring and Fall, so we’re only committed to publishing the highest quality writing with an original approach in concept and execution that can make a difference.

2Leaf Press, a Black/Brown female-led press.