We are the publishing industry’s leading supporter of PEN America, the U.S. chapter of the world’s leading international literary–human rights organization. PEN’s mission is to defend free expression, elevate marginalized voices, and foster dialogue across boundaries, a mission that mirrors our own core values. As a global community of writers, editors, designers, and free thinkers, we are passionate about upholding and protecting our right to free expression, and, through our partnership with PEN, we celebrate the courage of individuals who constructively challenge censorship and taboo, no matter the odds.

In May 2019, we hosted students from across several campuses of the City University of New York (CUNY) as part of PEN America’s DREAMing Out Loud, a program aimed at students of diverse immigration statuses enrolled at CUNY schools. In collaboration with PEN America and the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, we hosted a daylong seminar on the publishing industry at our headquarters in New York City. The career symposium featured panel events with professionals from Penguin Random House and provided participants with one-on-one editorial mentoring from professional writers. Keynote speaker Reshma Saujani, author of the international bestseller Brave, Not Perfect and founder of Girls Who Code, discussed her career as an activist and offered inspirational messages from her latest book. To read more about the seminar, click here.