10 Great Literary Orgs to Support
Black Authors and Book Lovers - Check This Out
In case you haven’t heard, I’m gearing up for the release of my debut novel “The Sound of Southside”. In promotion of the novel, I’ll be doing what I always have – celebrating black creatives and entrepreneurs. On this platform, I’ve interviewed and highlighted over 1,000 black artists. Since this season is about promoting my book, I’ve turned my focus to highlighting key members in the literary community. Black literary agents, authors, bookclubs and influencers within the booktok, bookstagram, booktube etc community.Below are 10 "Must-Follows" for book lovers and writers who are looking for community, or a movement to support.
Reading for Black Lives
https://www.instagram.com/p/CjQMmhOrKcc/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Why follow: Reading for Black Lives provides free books by (B)IPOC authors, for (B)IPOC communities. It was founded and ran by Fayola, a Black educator supporting our learning to sustain our liberation. And they're based in Queeeeens!
Brown Girls Love Books
https://www.instagram.com/p/CVdSFg2AUS1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linkWhy follow: Brown Girls Love Books has created an amazing community of book-loving women of color. Founded by Eleven25 Media, the platform is a great space to discover books and like-minded bibliophiles.
Prison Book Program
https://www.instagram.com/p/CgPP5N9OrNh/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Why follow: The mission of the Prison Book Program is to support people in prison by sending them free books and print resources that meet their specific needs and interests. They also provide a highly engaging volunteer experience that connects people inside and outside of the American prison system.
The Black Book Club
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnn4qIwOIbR/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Why follow: The Black Book Club highlights black literature and arts. They believe the age-old statement that "Reading is revolutionary". They are here to re-establish the connection between the youth and the love for literature.
Gold Mouf Book Club
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch2dFOpJkOq/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Why follow: Gold Mouf Book Club is changing the dated perception of the literary community, one durag at a time. On their site, you can buy books, watch vintage black films and even benefit from their editing and revising services.
Bed Stuy Book Club
https://www.instagram.com/p/CoVSvNxuoj_/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Why follow: Bed Stuy Book Club is a book club for BIPOC of marginalized genders. They recommend great reads and they're a good resource for literary events, book fairs etc.
Books Beyond Bars NY
https://www.instagram.com/p/CnpYXYNu5oJ/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Why follow: They send free reading materials to indigent, incarcerated New Yorkers, supporting the literacy, self-empowerment, and imagination of some of our most disenfranchised community members.
The Rolling Library
https://www.instagram.com/p/CnhuT3mOPb5/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Why follow: The Rolling Library is a mutual aid group and mobile book fair that offers free books and events to the New York City community. Their books are generally sourced from donations and are always free. They organize book fairs, community events, pop-up tables and more. They also have a free “bookstore” where readers can claim books from our collection and pick them up at Astoria Food Pantry in Queens.
Amplify Library
https://www.instagram.com/p/CPEuGrSD6Dr/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Why follow: The Amplify Library, founded by Virginia Polik and Jessica Nelson brings free books by BIPOC authors to NYC neighborhoods. They partner with local organizations to build libraries stocked with materials and books from BIPOC-led businesses. They are intentional about placing the libraries in neighborhoods that historically haven’t had access to inclusive bookstores.
Well Read Black Girl
https://www.instagram.com/p/CoukIX6OPso/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Why follow: Their goal is to introduce a cohort of diverse writers to future generations – contemporary authors who are non-binary, queer, trans, and disabled. To address inequalities and improve communities through reading and reflecting on the works of Black women.