Ron Kavanaugh is a literary activist and executive director of the Literary Freedom Project, a Bronx-based arts organization that believes cultural identity is a fundamental cornerstone in the development of smart, creative, and engaged communities. 

Born and raised in the Bronx, Kavanaugh has worked with numerous local arts organizations, including The Bronx Museum of the Arts, Bronx Council on the Arts, and En Foco, Inc. In 2017, he organized the photography exhibition Black Documents, which featured Jamel Shabazz and other photographers. In 2022, Kavanaugh co-curated Swagger and Tenderness: The South Bronx Portraits by John Ahearn and Rigoberto Torres at The Bronx Museum.

In 2022, Kavanaugh received Madam C.J. Walker Award presented by The Hurston/Wright Foundation.

As founding director of the Literary Freedom Project, he oversees the discussion group One Book One Bronx, the Mosaic Literary Conference, and Mosaic magazine.

Writings: Beautiful • aka The Harbinger • Brooklyn Moon/for one night only •  Labor Day from Swagger and Tenderness