With generous support from Liberation Ventures, Black Veterans Project is publishing a special-edition print publication, narrative intervention, and organizing resource in recognition of our nation’s semiquincentennial.
DARK GREEN REPORT will uplift the voices of Black service members, veterans, and military families and showcase writers, visual artists, and photographers whose work explores the complex history of Black military service and themes of memory and repair.
Through these stories and artworks, we hope to inspire readers to join the ongoing movement for repair and equity.
WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR
We are seeking work that engages the themes of service, repair, and memory.
Service across generations. The sacrifice, commitment, and lineage of Black people in military uniform, from the nation’s earliest conflicts to the present day.
Repair for denied recognition, respect, and benefits, and for the nation’s ongoing failure to fully realize equality, liberty, and justice. What does meaningful repair look like beyond symbolic gestures?
Memory as a roadmap for strengthening our democracy. How can a legacy of service help close the gap between America’s promise and full citizenship? What does America 250 mean when commemoration and accountability have yet to meet?
This call is open to everyone. We especially encourage submissions from Black veterans, service members, and Black families whose experiences align with this issue's focus.
Submitted work must be original and unpublished.
WRITERS
Writers may submit unpublished work or pitch a personal essay, memoir, reported journalism, criticism, poetry, or hybrid work. If submitting completed unpublished work, pieces should be no more than 2,500 words. If submitting a pitch, submit 300–500 words describing your proposed piece as well as 2–3 writing samples that best reflect your voice and style. Selected contributors will be invited to develop their work for publication. $250 per published piece
VISUAL ARTISTS
Visual artists should submit 1–5 completed works to be considered for publication, along with a brief artist statement (250 words or less) explaining how the works connect to the themes of service, repair, and memory. $250 per published series
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Photographers should submit 1–5 images per series they would like considered for publication, along with a brief artist statement (250 words or less) explaining how the work connects to the themes of service, repair, and memory. $250 per published series
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
All contributors will be paid prior to publication on November 11, 2026.
YOUR RIGHTS
Contributors retain ownership of their work. Black Veterans Project receives a nonexclusive, perpetual license to publish accepted contributions as part of the DARK GREEN REPORT special edition print publication, on the DARK GREEN REPORT Substack, and in related promotional materials.
TIMELINE
Submissions Open: July 4, 2026
Submissions Close: August 2, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Selected Contributors Notified: August 16, 2026
Publication: November 2026
HOW TO SUBMIT
Submit your work through the Typeform Submission Portal before the deadline. If you would like more than one piece considered, please submit each piece separately.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What qualifies as visual art? Visual art includes any original two-dimensional or three-dimensional work created by hand or digitally. This includes, but is not limited to: illustration, painting, drawing, printmaking, collage, mixed media, digital art, graphic art, comics and sequential art, textile and fiber art. We are open to work that doesn’t fit neatly into a single category.
Do I need a finished piece to submit? Yes. Unlike some open calls, we are asking for completed pieces rather than a proposal. We want to review what you’ve created.
Is there a fee to submit? No. Submitting is free, and accepted contributors will be paid based on the payment scale and timeline.
Can I submit more than one piece? Yes. Each submission should be a single piece, but you are welcome to submit more than one original piece of work. Please complete these submissions separately.
I’ve already published this work elsewhere. Can I still submit? No. We are only publishing original work.
What if I’m not a veteran myself but my work engages with these themes? All are welcome to submit their work for consideration. However, we strongly encourage work from Black troops, veterans, and their families/descendants.
What rights do I keep? Contributors keep ownership of their work. Black Veterans Project receives a non-exclusive, perpetual license to publish and promote it as part of this special edition.
Will I be edited? Yes. Written materials may be subject to collaborative editing ahead of publication.
QUESTIONS
Black Veterans Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the well-being and liberation of Black veterans through advocacy, storytelling, and movement building. Learn more at blackveteransproject.org
Questions? Please contact: Yolanda Hoskey at yolanda@blackveteransproject.org