Jael Richardson and the Festival of Literary Diversity are the 2019 recipients of the Freedom to Read Award. The annual award from the Writers’ Union of Canada recognizes work that supports freedom of expression and the freedom to read.

In 2015, Richardson founded the FOLD to celebrate diverse authors and literature, reflecting the multiculturalism of its host city, Brampton, Ontario. This year, she announced a spin-off festival focused on children’s literature, FOLD Kids, would be held Sept. 27 through 29.

On Twitter, Richardson dedicated the award to the FOLD’s supporters and sponsors as well as overlooked writers. “May your voice find its way into the world with courage and may they be received with love,” she wrote.

Incredibly honoured and overwhelmed. This is for the entire @TheFOLD_ team and all of our supporters and sponsors. This is especially for the writers whose stories have been overlooked. May your voice find its way into the world with courage and may they be received with love. https://t.co/AswD56cav7

— Jael Richardson (@JaelRichardson) February 28, 2019

The award was presented Feb. 27 at an event at Glad Day Bookshop celebrating Freedom to Read Week, which ends March 2. Previous recipients have included Lawrence Hill, whose novel The Book of Negroes was burned for its title; Janine Fuller, who fought obscenity laws as manager of the LGBT bookstore Little Sister’s; and Gary Geddes, who has written more than 35 books, including journalistic work that has exposed international injustice.

All members of the Writers’ Union of Canada are invited to submit their nominations, which are then named to a shortlist by a group of volunteers. The National Council then votes for the winner. “This year’s vote was unanimous,” executive director John Degen says.

Richardson is also the author of a memoir, The Stone Thrower: A Daughter’s Lessons, A Father’s Life, and its picture-book adaptation.