At Crown Holders Transmedia our family is filled with book loving podcasters, bloggers, book reviewers, vloggers, indie bookstores, book clubs and librarians. We are one huge bookish community. We represent books from all genres and authors from all races and cultures. Diversity is our middle name! We would love to add even more diversity to our community by including BookTubers, Bookstagrammers and Instagrammers of color.
If you are a book lover and would like to be interviewed for this directory and for Black Pearls Magazine, email Ella D. Curry at: edc_dg@yahoo.com for the questionnaire.
Click on any of the categories below to explore this directory. You can also list your book club, reading group, blog, Youtube channel, Instagramnetwork or website in the directory below. There is no charge to be listed here. Your email address will never be sold, rented or shared unless YOU list it on your profile below.
Your written interview will be posted to Black Pearls magazine online and in our printed Black Excellence Legacy Magazine.
Feel free to email Ella D. Curry at any time to arrange interviews with the authors featured on this website. Email Ella at: edc_dg@yahoo.com
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My name is Sheryl Towns, President of "Reading With Soul." We are located in Columbus, Ohio. Reading has always been a passion. I had friends, family and co-workers who read all the time. We would share books and discuss them whenever we got together. I was a member of a bookclub previously and I realized I wanted to join another bookclub, but then I choose to start my own. I made fliers, posting them in places where you would see readers (hair salon/work).
In November, 2006 we had our first meeting at Barnes and Noble. We started with five members. Those same five ladies are still members. Our membership has been up and down. Thank God we are blessed to have a total of nine members. Our purpose is to give back to the community and to read for enjoyment, enrichment and knowledge. -Pat, Reading with Soul Member
BPM: What are key factors that help a book remain on your mind long after the last page?
The key factors that I look for and remain long after the last page are, when a book club member relates, and feel happy or sad for a character, or when we want to just say a prayer for when the pain of a character effects our soul. -JoAnna Clark, Reading with Soul Member
BPM: Do you primarily purchase books online or in a bookstore?
I prefer to read hard copy books, because I prefer to read hard copy books and keep them as keepsakes. The price of the books does not matter to me. I would not stop buying hard copies and I doubt that I would switch to digital books permanently. -Deanne Payne, Reading with Soul Member
BPM: Do you serve or donate to any charities?
For our charitable giving, and as our way of giving back and supporting the community, since our book club started we have been involved with a homeless family shelter. A couple times a year we purchase food, cook and serve the residents. In addition to that, we donate items and gift cards to this shelter. -Leslie, Reading with Soul Member
Founders of Sistahs and Friends: Yvette Barrett, Malinda Burden and Priscilla Myers. In December, 2014 we lost our 4th founder, Theresa Jackson. Sistahs and Friends Book Club started in 1997, in Chicago, when 4 young professional co-workers, Priscilla Myers, Theresa Jackson, Malinda Burden and Yvette Barrett discovered they shared a common passion. That passion was the love of reading and the desire to share their thoughts with each other. We had our first book club discussion in a conference room during our lunch hour. It was such a great experience that we decided to continue and called ourselves, Sistahs Bookclub. Later on we had a male that wanted to join us. So in fairness to him and other potential males, we changed our name to Sistahs and Friends Bookclub. We started with 4 and currently have 12 members.
Our members are mature professionals who all grew up from various backgrounds and areas in the city of Chicago. We started this group 19 years ago as "Bubbies" and have grown into mature outgoing, outspoken women who love a great book, with a great meal, a great glass of wine and a great discussion. These is no room and no tolerance for pettiness and or catiness. We may not always agree on the rating of a book but we will always have a great debate regarding the merits of our selections or lack thereof.
BPM: What legacy will your club leave for those watching in the community?
Sistahs and Friends exemplify the true essence of sisterhood. Our legacy will be that true Sistahs support, lift and motivate each other not tear them down.
BPM: Do you prefer to read books by authors of color? Do you borrow books from the library?
In the early years of Sistahs and Friends we only read books by African American authors. However over the years we have developed an appetite to broaden our horizon and not limit ourselves. During the years we have supported all authors as well as self-published authors and invited some of them to attend our bookclub discussions (via in person, Skype, FaceTime and conference calls). Yes, a few of our members still borrow books from the library but the majority have Kindle or a Reader. Website: sistahsandfriendsbookclub.com
Patricia Turner Smith is the presiding president of RARE Book Club. Patricia resides in Memphis, TN and lives each day enjoying retirement. Patricia is an active member of the Orange Mound Energizer Line Dancers, Family and Friends a group of members from various churches that meet to share ideas to improve the community and provide assistance to the less fortunate. Patricia volunteers her time by reading books to elementary school students at various schools and assisting the teachers when administering tests. The ladies of RARE Book Club is located in Memphis, TN. R.A.R.E (Reading And Rapping Experience) was founded September 7, 1997. We will celebrate the twentieth anniversary of RARE this year. There are twelve active, unique and energetic members of RARE. The ladies enjoy reading and rapping about various book selections. They are imaginative, and don’t hesitate to put their twist about a story line.
BPM: What is the purpose of your organization? Does the name have a special meaning?
The ultimate goal of RARE is to read and have book discussions, network with other book clubs, coordinate and host author’s book signing events and all other literary influences as we promote the importance of literacy. The ladies of RARE have a “Reading And Rapping Experience” during our book discussions. They have shown enthusiasm and dedication for literacy by collectively reading 801 books from September 15, 2015 thru August 26, 2016. It is their goal to read books, have intelligent discussions and promote the importance of literacy. RARE was presented the 2016 award by BWABC (Black Writers and Book Clubs) Literacy Rocks Association for “Reading the Most Books”.
BPM: Do you host special events during the year or do you work for any charities?
The ladies of RARE host an Annual Tea and Social in February that feature spoken word, poetry and local and out of state authors. The authors have included but not limited to Christian fiction authors, EMMA and African American Literacy Awards Winners, Rosa Parks Award Winner and new authors. The authors have an opportunity to expound on how they got involved in writing and provide their experience based on their writing career. The authors and guests have an opportunity to mix and mingle, take pictures and purchase signed copies of books. The fellowship has built lasting relationships thru literary genre. RARE Book Club had the distinguished honor of receiving the 2016 Book Club of the Year Award by BWABC. The ladies do socialize other than at the book club meetings.
Circle of Sisters of Columbus Interview with Helen Gibson and Georgette Martin—Helen Gibson, Circle of Sisters Book Club is a straight country girl from Alabama who currently resides in Columbus Georgia. She is a lifelong reader who honestly cannot remember a time that she did not have a book in her hand. She’s told that even as a toddler she was reading magazines upside down!
BPM: How do you make your book selections for the month? When do you select the books?
The first few months of the club, it was difficult selecting books. No one wanted to actually nominate a book; we got a lot of “whatever the group decides…”. After talking it over, my co-president and I decided to just make the selections ourselves since everyone wasn’t participatory in nominating and voting. For 2017 we made book marks for the year’s selections with no problems. Every other month we read an AA book; we decided early on that we would not limit ourselves to a particular genre of books. This has worked well for us during our first year. We read one book a month for discussion, but if we read a particularly good book in between we make sure we tell the others to get it.
BPM: Do you primarily purchase books online or in a bookstore?
Early on we made it clear that it did not matter how you read the book. We just encouraged reading; that was our main goal. We do, however, stress the importance of supporting AA authors, buying their books instead of sharing their books, and leaving reviews for the books we enjoy. So far, the price of e-books has not been questioned and has not hindered our reading selections. Although most everyone in the group has an electronic reading device, I don’t think we will ever stop buying DTB. I visit our local B&N store at least once a week.
BPM: Do you have any words of wisdom for others who might want to start a book club?
If you want to start a book club…JUST DO IT….don’t wait for ‘whatever’ to happen or not happen. Just send out the invites and start your club. If only two people show up, meet and keep it moving. If you’re already in a book club, enjoy the experience and don’t stress about the rest.
We are the Chocolate Beauties Book Club located in Pontiac, Michigan. We were established in 2010 by our president and founder Angela Hunt. Currently we have 14 members. We are a sisterhood of fun loving, reading women. We are all African American women (single, married, mothers, working, 35 years or older) Our group is good hearted, comedians, some what serious – great combination that works together.
The Chocolate Beauties purpose:
- To have a strong, positive and divine sisterhood
- To uplift and not tear one another down
- To push each other forward when we are stuck in our situations
- To encourage each other to reach our goals
- To pray for one another
- To fellowship and have fun
- And of course to discuss the book of the month
BPM: Do you primarily purchase books online or in a bookstore? Do you prefer digital books?
Members are responsible for purchasing their books. Most are purchased online and/or in bookstores. Some members use/have the Kindle reader. Cost/price does not play a part in book selection/purchase. Yes, we will continue to purchase printed books.
Marcus Book Club started in August of 1997, in Oakland, CA as a part of Marcus Book Store (the oldest, African American owned bookstore in the nation.) We gathered that first time as a group of 232 readers, divided into 6 “Chapters.” Each Chapter met once per month, at the bookstore. Over time the numbers decreased, eliminating the need for Chapters. Today we are 12-15 strong and meet on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Meetings are still held at Marcus Book Store.
Our book club’s main focus is in alignment with the tradition of Marcus Books; to read and discuss books BY and ABOUT Black People everywhere. The book club has the name of the bookstore, which was named in honor of Marcus Garvey. We tend to be serious about great literature and sometimes have to remind ourselves to “lighten up” and make some “completely fun” book selections. We enjoy diverse opinions and lively discussions.
BPM: What types of books have generated the most interesting discussions?
Books that force us to address cultural and societal issues have generated the most interesting discussions because everyone has some level of investment in the topic. It is not out of the ordinary that we will “agree to disagree” during these discussions.
BPM: Do you have any words of wisdom for other readers starting a book club?
Have fun, give everyone equal voice and be open to reading books you might not choose on your own. There have been many times when we did not like the book and had amazing discussions or developed a different appreciation for the book.
I'm Lutisha Bass from the Books and Booze Book Club. We are based in Chicago, IL. A few of us have known each other for years and knew we shared a love for reading. One day our founder, Jomonique Moore, posted a request online asking anyone if they'd be interested in forming a book club. The response was great and we've been meeting ever since. That was over a year ago to date. Our first meeting was August, 2014. We have 62 online members that join our chats via social media. However, we have 15 members who come out face-to-face every meeting. We have not elected any officials for the group.
BPM: Do you primarily purchase books online or in a bookstore?
Usually I stick with the authors of books that I've previously read and enjoyed BUT if I step outside of that norm I seek the recommendations of friends/associates whose opinions I value.
BPM: What genre/types of books do you prefer to read as a group?
The genre of our books vary. I would like to see our group venture off into possibly making our own 'Books n' Booze guide to 'Owning your own kind of beautiful, self love and empowering women' kind of guide. Some of the experiences we've shared with each other has the capability to reach other women in a positive way.
I really don't know if the types books have changed over time.
BPM: What are key factors that help a book remain on your mind long after the last page?
Great characters will help a book remain in the mind long after the last page. If you can't remember the characters you are less likely to remember what they did.
BPM: Have you faced any challenges as a group? If so, how did you deal with them?
The only problem we've faced is scheduling our meetings. With everyone leading fruitful and busy lives everyone is not always available. We are now trying to be a static date, like the last Sunday every other month, to meet so people can plan their lives around the block club date.
My name is Tannie Lewis Bradley, I'm a member of Sistahs BookClubbing in Shreveport, LA. There are 25 active members. Our book club meets the first Saturday of every month to discuss the book of the month. On occasion, authors of the books have joined our discussion by phone.
Sistahs BookClubbing organized Shreveport’s first citywide read, “One Book One City: Shreveport on the Same Page” in 2005. I was a member of the Northwest Louisiana Management Team for the 2009 “The Big Read,” an initiative of the NEA, designed to restore reading to the center of American culture and bring together partners across the country to encourage reading for pleasure and enlightenment.
In response to the need for hair care products for African American service women deployed in Afghanistan, Kuwait and Ships at Sea, our book club organized and implemented Shreveport’s first Sister Soldier Packing Party. A total of 452 hair care packages were packed and shipped from 2009 thru 2012 when President Obama brought the troops home.
I was named 2015 Book Lover of the Year by The Shreveport Times.
Please visit our website: http://sistahsbookclubbing.webs.com
Diane Rembert is an avid reader of over 30 years, reviewer, promoter, branding coach and founder of Diamond's Literary World, a literary blog that highlights authors, promotes literary events and gives innovative reviews. In April 2016, she created Diamond's World, a Blogtalk radio show that bridges the love of words, sentences and paragraphs to whomever has a like passion. She shares this footprint with all avid readers who wish to have a voice. Her motto is "Conquering Life One Book at a Time."
The main focus of the blog and radio program has been to highlight African American authors (new and old), new book releases, literary events and all things book related. Hopefully, this will continue for generations to come.
BPM: In your opinion, what makes a good book conversation?
Diane: In my opinion, a good book conversation consists of a few avid readers, a good book and a glass of wine. Many times the conversation will stray off topic, because one good book is often compared to another one or a movie. For the record, I very rarely use a reading guide, so I wouldn't know if they were helpful or not. Books that address controversial issues generate the most interesting discussions. Website: www.diamondsliteraryworld.com
Books are the very stuff of human civilization and it seems almost improper to be in a position of not sharing insights I have obtained from them. Yes, there are those for whom books are mere items for collection. For me, it is so much more. It is a way of escape. Being able to secretly slip into a magical, sacrosanct work of fiction is sheer bliss. Moreover, it became the release of my ever stressed and fretful soul into distant places. Books, digital or physical, are a talisman for my psyche.
The Literary Apothecary blog started out as a requirement to read ARCs. But, it has become my online journal, traipsing through my thoughts and stamping the blogosphere with its footprint.
You may find something that piques your interest and you may not. Either way, you are welcome to travel the path of questions, concepts, and random thoughts my scientific brain creates.
Pro-blogger Erica Watkins is from Maryland, where she spends time with her loving husband, awesome son, and four rambunctious four-legged friends. She blogs about books and frequently hides books in the Little Library's around town for children and adults. She dreams of becoming a Book Riot contributor, where she would bring attention to black authors. Blog address: www.theliteraryapothecary. blogspot.com
TaNisha Webb is the president of the award winning KC Girlfriends Book Club. TaNisha is also the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Book Club 101 Magazine, founder of Book Club 101 University and author of The Ultimate Book Club Experience: How to Create & Maintain a Successful Book Club.
KC Girlfriends Book Club is located in the Kansas City Metropolitan area. Our book club was established in 2002 by a group of girlfriends that decided to create a book club to discuss their favorite authors’ books. In 2003, our book club dwindled down to two members due to various reasons. The sole original member and I decided to advertise the book club on a local social event calendar and our book club grew from two members to forty-one members within one and one-half years. We are now at a comfortable and dedicated twelve members at this time.
BPM: In your opinion, what makes a good book conversation?
The first thing that makes a good book discussion is when all of the members have read the entire book. Regardless if the book is good or bad you really can’t have any discussion if no one has read the entire book. Having a group in various age range also helps with having a great discussion because everyone has different prospective versus a group that’s the same age. Coed book clubs probably have better book clubs than same sex book clubs because men will bring an entirely different prospective to a discussion. These particular part of the discussions actually helps book clubs to become like family because we learn more about one another when we discuss our personal experiences. A good facilitator will know when to move the discussion along. Website: www.kcgirlfriendsbookclub.com
Kisha Green is a published author, virtual assistant, literary consultant, promoter and book reviewer. She's the owner of DivaBooksInc. It's motto, ‘Turning literary dreams into published realities.’, she has a strong passion for assisting authors in their writing and making their dreams come true.
Aside from having a passion for supporting authors, Kisha is a well-established author. She's been writing professionally since she was twenty-one. Her most popular novel is, ‘And Even If I did’, released in 2006.
Kisha Green is also the host of Writer's Life Chats, an online radio show where she interviews aspiring and seasoned authors. Writer's Life Chats has been nominated multiple times for Best Blog Talk Show, winning the title in 2009, 2010 and 2011. As an avid reader and book reviewer, Kisha Green’s reviews have appeared on Urban Book Source, Shelfari, Goodreads, Amazon and other notable sites.
In 2016, she was nominated for Literary Activist by AAMBC and is the recipient of the 2014 and 2016 Literary Excellence Award presented by Black Pearls Magazine.
As a firm believer in "each one, teach one," Kisha Green launched Literary Jewels in 2011, an online resource for aspiring writers interested in self-publishing. Currently, Kisha resides in New Jersey and is a contributing writer for Urban Tymes, LitIsh, and Literary Jewels. Kisha can be found at: www.divabooksinconline.com
Orsayor L. Simmons is the founder of Book Referees. Book Referees spotlights/reviews/promote all genres in the literary world. She is the recipient of the 2013 Top 25 Literary Leader Award and 2014 Top 25 Literary Leader Award (presented by Ella Curry) and 2015 AAMBC Blogger of the Year.
Book Referees are here to serve the literary community by being committed to getting word out about the importance of reading, the importance of reviewing, and importance of supporting authors.
Book Referees was formed to get my book loving friends to read, review and to spread the word out about their favorite books, but now it seems to have taken on a life of its own. I'm now spreading the word through my blog, interviewing authors and getting books in the hands of celebrities. The blog continues to grow, so now I have added reviewers to my team. When readers log on to my blog they are able to read reviews from different perspectives. Because when it boils down to it - it's about the BOOKS! Books are the common denominator to bringing us together.
Read reviews: on the web - www.bookreferees.org | On Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/Orsayor
Letrise Carter is the founder of Sistah’s Place Entertainment Blog and a fierce entrepreneur, freelance writer, and new author. She self-published her first novel Deceitful: Playing with Fire in 2017. She has featured articles published in Caution Magazine, Black Pearls Magazine and in Beautifully Said Magazine.
Sistah’s Place is located in suburbs of Chicago, IL. Sistah’s Place was launched in July, 2014 to be the source of entertainment news for film, television, theater, and publishing. The blog focused on the talented minority men and women following their dreams while inspiring others to take that leap of faith with their dreams. The blog platform started as Sistah’s Blog2 with so many ideas to inspire and share with others that Sistah’s Place Entertainment was birthed from my first blog. The blog sparked the interest of subscribers and followers to want to hear more about indie talent in entertainment.
The purpose of Sistah’s Place blog is to serve as a platform for indie talent/artists, writers, poets and creators. Sistah’s Place gives indie and national artists the opportunity to showcase their gifts, talents, and projects that gives them exposure to new audiences across multiple platforms and countries. Sistah’s Place represents home and being with your own brothers and sisters supporting their dreams and gifts. Website: www.sistahsplace.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/sistahsplace2
Keisha Hester is a librarian residing in Chicago. She connects readers with books on a daily basis, and is in the process of writing of her first novel.
BPM: Do you have any words of wisdom for book clubs?
Decide the ground rules from day one. If your group will actually discuss the book at length, then requirement number one is that everyone reads it. If it will be more social in nature, then pick books that are light and quicker to read. Also, feel free to totally judge a book by its cover! If it is aesthetically appealing to you, chances are higher that you will read it to completion.
BPM: How do ebooks fit into libraries? Would you ever stop buying printed books?
Libraries now offer ebooks through various platforms to patrons, though not every ebook is available for libraries to purchase. The publishers have placed certain restrictions on their digital works, which is unfortunate. Personally, I would never stop buying printed books. Here’s why: you don’t actually own the digital book itself in some cases. Publishers can essentially encrypt files to self-destruct after a certain time period, as it were, which is what happens when you borrow it from a library. After the loan period is up, you can no longer access the ebook unless you check it out again. And the platform that you use to access that ebook could also go away. What would you do with the files then, if the platform used to access them no longer existed? With the printed word, all you have to do is go to your book shelf, pull it off, sit down, and read!
Mo'Red Production - Where Creativity and Originality meet Promotion
Stacy Johnson-Leonard is a wife, mother and entrepreneur. Stacy started Mo Red Production in 2006 because she was Momager to her young daughter and music artist Young Star. Stacy’s greatest strengths are her creativity, drive and leadership. She thrives on challenges, and looks forward to prevailing over them.
Before deciding to her work full-time at Mo Red Production, Johnson-Leonard was an avid reader and supporter/friend of several authors. With encouragement from friends, Stacy incorporated author promotions under the umbrella of Mo Red Production. Stacy is a Blog Radio Co-Host at Jones Vlog Spot.
Fast forward to the present; Mo Red Production, is a now a positioning and branding firm that helps authors and business owners increase their sales volume. Stacy Johnson-Leonard is a content marketing professional who is responsible for, increasing client Brand by converting readers, consumers, attracting visitors to website and closing them as customers. In other words, Stacy sees herself as an Industry Liaison because Stacy connects authors to their readers and readers to their authors. Stacy loves promoting author brands and events. Stacy often refers to her books as babies and the autographs of the authors as their birth certificates. Mo Red Production has worked with music artists, Marcus Devine, Tiffany Bryant, Dorrell Mays,Young Star, Dion Black, Branu, and Music and Film executive, Tanya Robinson.
In 2017, Stacy was recognized with the Community Leader Award by Black Pearl Magazine and Tour Coordinator for JL King. Facebook: www.facebook.com/moredproduction
Lines that Bind Book Club, based in Atlanta, GA, was established in February 2017. The group is comprised of 5 Grown Women who have chosen to remain small for the purpose of having deep, intellectually stimulating conversations that thoroughly dissect their monthly reads on various levels. Each member is an avid reader with a strong passion for a great read. For them, the best works are those that leave them hungry for the next book.
Lines that Bind Book Club originated with 3 young ladies who would discuss books in such detail during their leisure time that the idea for a book club was inevitable. Joined with an additional 3 members, Lines that Bind was formed to bond and interact on a Grown Woman’s level with a maturity that leaves the meeting refreshed and not drained. The interactions with these ladies is enlightening, they draw strength one from another from the wisdom that is embodied in them individually and collectively.
Our president, Melesia Tillman brings a thirst of reading with the perspective of reality, Ziyesha Kehinde is filled with an understanding approach of reason, Shy Armstrong is our no holds barred, abrupt and to the point perspective, Antanya Chung is not only inspirational but highly intelligent in her thought process of how and why things occur in the manner that they do and Norlita Brown enlightens the group with interesting perspectives from that of an author who is also an avid reader. With each meeting we evolve, we grow, we bond.
The purpose of our group is to come together and share not only opinions, but experiences, failures, skills, joy, pain and laughter. Lines That Bind, while a social outlet, is also a group that hopes to make a difference in each other’s lives, their family and community. What really makes us unique is the personality that each member brings to the group; to include the realist, inspiration, pessimist, optimist and the visionary. These temperaments bring about hearty discussions and passionate dialogue that we all enjoy and look forward to.
The focus of the group has been to gain understanding from the author’s writing that can be applicable to everyday life – some of which has brought forth an enriched knowledge and some has given delightful entertainment.
Prominent Women of Color is a group of women dedicated to the exploration of collected written works in all platforms. This a collection of eclectic perspectives dedicated in enhancing the minds of its members and others in the intricate world of literature. PWOC is well versed and well-traveled in all manner of the written word and that devotion is shown in this delicate array of women who make up this sisterhood.
PWOC is located in Jacksonville, FL and St Mary’s GA. And was formed in 1999 and we currently have 14 members. The purpose of PWOC is to enrich and enhance our knowledge through our love for reading and encourage one another through fellowship. We promote literacy in every way possible.
BPM: How do you make your book selection?
Our BOM (Book of the Month) is chosen by our hostess for that month based on the theme for that month. Yes, several members do read other books and they are shared throughout the month with others in the group. We share our BOM on Social Media monthly and a picture of the current hostess with their chosen book and/or author. We also often Skype with various authors when we have chosen to read their book for that month.BPM:
BPM: Do you read books by authors of color only? What genre does the group prefer?
The majority of the books we read are from authors of color. We do support various self-published authors and often borrow books form the local library. The majority of our members have e-readers, but some still prefer hard copy books. We read books of all genres, we have member that prefer romance, Sci-Fi, murder mystery and others who prefer urban lit and biography. So as you can see, we dabble in all types of genres.
BPM: How do you feel about attending book signings, literary festivals and events?
When we hear about a book signing, or literary event we are ecstatic. If it is within a 2 hour driving distance, we are there supporting the author, (we call these Road Trips) We also as a group try to attend most of the literary festivals and events such as Romance Slam Jam, National Book Club Conference, and authors sponsored cruises. These are the things we plan for throughout the year.
Michelle Chavis is a native of Brooklyn, New York and now lives in Creedmoor, North Carolina. Michelle Chavis is the President of Victorious Ladies Reading Book Club. When she started reading novels it gave her a peace of mind and helped her relax. She has encouraged and helped others to also fall in love with reading. Recently Michelle has become a Total Life Changes (TLC) Representative. Her genuine, honest spirit allows people to feel comfortable talking her about anything. She has also been called a “Life Coach”. She is very passionate about helping people find their true purpose and becoming their best.
Victorious Ladies Reading is located in the Raleigh/Durham North Carolina area. God gave Lacha Mitchell the vision to start the book club, through that vision we started the Victorious Ladies Reading Book Club. We currently have 10 members. We are group of beautiful women, of all personalities, that mesh well together.
BPM: How do you make your book selections for the month?
When I first joined the group the President and Vice President alternated months and picked the books, we now take suggestions from the members. Yes we have read other books that was not the book of the month and had a call to discuss the book. We may post book covers and suggestions on our own Facebook post and share them.
BPM: Do you prefer to read books by authors of color? Do you borrow books from the library?
Yes, I prefer to read books by authors of color, but I will read others also. Yes, I support self published authors and I also borrow books from the library. To add to that, I give the library a list of AA authors and their books every quarter for them to add to their selection.
BPM: Do you have any words of wisdom for other readers starting a book club?
Communication is the key to every relationship, when you have that you will have a successful book club. Be passionate about your membership, participate as much as you can.
A Detroit native, Ebony Evans has always had a knack for creating and implementing exciting out-of-the-box ideas. Quite the event planner, she has embarked upon many different endeavors; be it a shopping trip to the Big Apple, photo shoots of all kinds, pole parties or giving her time to charities near and dear, Ebony was and is doing it! Ebony Evans, EyeCU Reading & Social Network founder is an enthusiastic reader and self-proclaimed “book nerd” at heart!
EyeCU Reading & Social Network, is a combination of yet another creative idea, fused with one of Ebony’s dynamic passions…reading. She and a host of friends together developed this idea into a reality. Life has taught Ebony the value of surrounding herself with a close-knit circle of like-minded supportive friends, with whom she reciprocates compassion and that same support.
EyeCU Reading & Social Network is made up President Ebony, Secretary Samara, Treasurer Bayyinah and members Chineda, Monique, Rhena, Satanya, Stacye, Tamara and Tina.
BPM: What is the purpose for your organization?
The purpose of EyeCU Reading & Social Network is to promote literacy in the African American community with an emphasis on African American women. To support primarily, but not exclusively, the works of African American authors. To encourage community involvement through charitable endeavors, support and motivation. Our club was born from the vision of providing an avenue for women to fellowship with a primary focus on reading thought provoking books, networking with other book clubs, attending literary events and meeting fascinating authors. We also want to show our beauty and boldness in all that we do!
BPM: Do you support self-published authors?
Yes! We absolutely support self-published authors. Book club member Stacye Lewis aka Kaylynn Hunt is a talented self-published author of several books. Ebony is on the cover of two of her books, “Love With A Vengeance” and “Catching Dreams.” Not all talented authors have a big house book deal so we definitely support and acknowledge authors both small and large.
BPM: What genre/types of books do you prefer to read?
We pretty much read it all! From Christian based to the most erotic and everything in between. The diversity of our group and our variety of interests leads us to open our minds to literature of all kinds.
BPM: Have the types of books changed over time?
As our group, matures, it seems that yes, the types of books have changed over time. While we started out reading lots of urban fiction, we’ve evolved to reading pretty much everything! We’ve even indulged in and enjoyed Sci-Fi; a genre that wasn’t even on our radar at first.
I'm Bobbi Ramey Founder and President of Sistah Minds In Motion Book Club (SMM). Sistah Minds In Motions Book Club (SMM) was established in November, 2009 by Bobbi Ramey. The first official book club meeting took place on January 16, 2010. Bobbi Ramey is an avid inspirational reader happily married with two children. Her idea was to bring together a diverse group of women who enjoy reading and to bond spiritually. She asked her family and friends if they would be interested in joining and the rest is history! SMM was born! SMM is a small African American book club and social organization for positive, spiritual women who enjoy reading. Sistah Minds In Motion Book Club currently has ten members.
The purpose of Sistah Minds In Motion Book Club (SMM) is to advocate sisterhood and share our love for reading with others. To advocate literacy throughout our community with volunteer efforts, to have women contributing to a collection of wisdom with an environment of lively discussions and to build lifelong friendships, to fellowship and host monthly meetings in order to share ideas and dialogue about a variety of books and finally to build strategic relationships, advocate book clubs, African American authors and other literary organizations and events.
BPM: How do you make your book selections for the month?
Each member is unique and has the opportunity to choose a book and location once a month. Yes we do discuss other books outside of the book if the month. Yes, SMM posts monthly on Facebook & Twitter for the book of the month.
BPM: Do you prefer to read books by authors of color? Do you borrow books from the library?
Yes, SMM enjoys reading selections by authors of color. Yes, SMM support self-published authors. No, SMM will mostly purchase each book of the month.
BPM: What genre/types of books do you prefer to read as a group?
SMM reads all genres to include Christian fiction, non-fiction, fiction, inspirational, romance and a wide variety of other topics chosen by our members. No, the types of books have not changed over time. SMM writes reviews on Amazon.com. SMM really does not write bad reviews, like my mother always said, if you cannot say anything good, do not say nothing at all!