Celebrating 20 Years of Stories at 826Day
Written by Ariadne Makridakis Arroyo
This year’s 826Day was one for the books, literally. On Saturday, August 23rd, more than 90 students, families, volunteers, and friends gathered at our Echo Park Writing Lab to celebrate 826LA’s 20th anniversary and the release of Along the Way, We Saw the World: A 20th Anniversary Collection of Prose and Poetry.
The anthology brings together the voices that make 826LA what it is: students, volunteers, educators, and staff. Seeing them share their work side by side was a reminder of what’s made our community thrive for two decades, storytelling that spans generations, backgrounds, and experiences.
Stories From the Stage
The afternoon began with a roundtable conversation featuring student authors Robert and Sasha, alongside volunteers Rozanna and John. Together, they reflected on their journeys at 826LA and their contributions to the new anthology. Sasha summed up the courage it takes to read aloud with one simple reminder: “You have to just do it!”
Inspired by their words, audiences leaned in to hear 13 contributors share their work during the community showcase. Former West Hollywood poet laureate Brian Sonia-Wallace, filmmaker Edward Landler, and our own Executive Director Jaime Balboa were among those who filled the room with laughter, thoughtfulness, and heart.
A True 826LA Celebration
Of course, it wouldn’t be 826Day without a little fun. Kids dashed between outdoor games and face painting while parents and friends enjoyed tacos and aguas frescas inside the cooling writing lab. At one point, a staff member paused mid-performance to hear about their child’s new favorite toy, a perfectly 826LA moment that blended creativity, community, and family.
Looking Ahead
826Day has grown into more than a tradition; it’s a reflection of what we’ve built together over the last twenty years: a place where young people’s voices matter, where stories connect us, and where everyone, from a nervous student to a seasoned writer, has something to learn and something to share.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in honoring this milestone. Here’s to the next twenty years of stories.
