Black

[close] Welcome to the Goodreads group for Diaspora.Connected! “Nobody can teach me who I am. You can describe parts of me, but who I am - and what I need - is something I have to find out myself.” ― Chinua Achebe We've created a pan african reading challenge ( #ReadPanAfrica) to fan the flames for excitement and curiosity about the black experience expressed in literature across the African Diaspora - this includes authors from Sub-Saharan Africa (East, South, and West), the Caribbean, North and South America, Europe and refugees/migrants outside the continent.

[close] There are many beautiful works of literature coming from the African continent and from the African diaspora all around the world. Yet, these works are rarely included in book club discussions, recommended book lists or book reviews. There are so many inspiring authors and as many - if not more - thought-provoking pieces to explore. This group is dedicated to these pieces. We hope you can join us in our exploration. The plan is to select and read a book every month, then discuss the work during the month’s last week (to give everyone time to read it!). We will post some questions/quotes to get things started, but would love for this to grow into an open discussion with and between everyone. We will be reading only books written in English or books translated into English to make sure that we are not excluding many. Everyone is welcome!

[close] This year I am determined to not only find, but keep my joy in all that I do! Life can become so mundane, challenging and overwhelming with all that we face from day to day, both internally, and externally. Reading has long been an escape, stress reliever and joy inducing hobby in my life, and I want to share it with you! Keeping Up with the Joy is a social book club that will meet both virtually and IN PERSON, monthly; and is designed to allow space for fellowship, friendship, food and finding the joy in reading and social connection! Each book is unique in genre, but similar in that each title contains the word JOY in some form or fashion. Below is our reading list for the year! January Walking in my Joy: In These Streets by Jenifer Lewis February Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration by Tracey Michae’l Lewis- Giggetts March Possessing the Secrets of Joy by Alice Walker April Small Joys by Elvin James Mensah May The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan June Black Boy Joy by Kwame Mbalia July Pride and Joy by Louisa Onome August Feeding the Soul (Because It’s My Business): Finding Our Way to Joy, Love, and Freedom by Tabitha Brown September Joy is My Justice: Reclaim What Is Yours by Tanmeet Sethi October The Girl Who Found Joy by Amy Vansant November The Gravity of Joy: A Story of Being Lost and Found by Angela Gorrell Williams December The Black Joy Project by Kleaver Cruz The group will meet in-person on the first Saturday of each month to discuss the previous months book, and introduce the following months book! Meeting location will likely be a local eatery for food, fellowship and fun as we explore each book together.

[close] A community for members of the red velvet and chocolate community to discuss and share book recommendations on topics related to black culture, black history, black oppression, white supremacy, black culture, etc.