This space was born out of a Facebook post I made honoring the legacy of Assata Shakur and a desire to read Assata: An Autobiography in community. That one post made it clear: people are hungry to read, learn, and gather with intention.
In a time when books are being banned and curricula rooted in truth, equity, and liberation are under attack, I’m choosing to respond with study, conversation, and community. I’m drawing from my Master’s in Africana Studies—and from the shelves of my personal library—to create a learning space that is both accessible and rooted.
Here’s what you can expect each month in this group:
A Featured Book: You’ll receive the title pulled directly from my personal collection, with enough notice to purchase, borrow, or revisit.
Shelfie Community Thread: Everyone is invited to share a “shelfie”—a photo of you with the book or the book in your space. It's a low-pressure way to build connection and see what everyone's currently reading or recommending.
Lecture + Q&A: A registration link will go out each month for the main session, open to all. I’ll lead with context, history, and key takeaways, followed by time for questions and conversation.
Affinity Space for BIPOC Women: A separate registration link will be available for those who identify as Black, Indigenous, or women of color. This will be a discussion and creative space centered in healing, voice, and reflection.
I created a Patreon tier connected to this series because sustaining a learning space like this takes time, labor, and resources. When you join as a patron, you’re not just getting extra content—you’re helping make this work possible.
Your support allows me to:
Research, revisit, and prepare books from my personal library
Create lecture notes, slides, and discussion guides
Host and manage Zoom sessions
Hold space for both the public talks and the BIPOC affinity circle
Keep this work community-centered instead of institution-controlled
Continue building spaces where Black literature, resistance, and healing are centered
Shelfies on Patreon ($25) receive added access and resources, including:
Automatic access to the Zoom link for the monthly book talk
Audio playback of the session
Extended Q&A
Downloadable notes & discussion guide
If you’re here, you're in the right place. This series is about study as resistance, reading as remembrance, and conversation as community. I’m glad you’re part of it.
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