The New York Liberty announced Read What You Sow with Jocelyn Willoughby, a book club set to officially launch in February 2020. Read What You Sow will explore the injustices disproportionately facing Black and Brown people within healthcare, education, and other social systems fundamental to the welfare of all people through the lens of women of color.
The new three-month book club is now open for signups here through January 15, 2021. Book club members will be added to a distribution list for targeted communications including information to purchase Jocelyn’s curated collection of books, guided questions, suggested reading schedules, and access to private virtual discussions led by Willoughby.
“Reading is a cathartic experience,” said Willoughby. “Books help us come to terms with our complex world. They have the power to not only educate, but to encourage readers to act. This book club is established to help participants understand what change is needed in our respective communities, and to inspire us to imagine and ultimately enact what that change looks like.”
Liberty CEO Keia Clarke added, “Jocelyn came to us with a clear-cut vision for how she wanted to make an impact in New York and in the community at large. Read What You Sow is just the beginning of her activism as a professional athlete and more importantly, a woman of color.”
The New York Liberty is teaming up with Cafe con Libros, an intersectional Feminist community bookstore and coffee shop in Crown Heights, to assist in the curation of books and also encourage the support of local, Black and womxn-owned businesses.
“Black Feminist literature has shaped every aspect of my identity, said Kalima DeSuze, founder of Cafe con Libros. “Over the years, it has reminded me that my personal problems are actually societal issues while also providing examples of Black womxn fighting for our collective recognition. Reading stories by and about Black Womxn sowed seeds of confidence and resolve that I can be part of the solution.”
For book club members and the general public, there will also be virtual author chats and reading recaps available throughout the duration of the club.
Willoughby is the second Liberty player to launch a book club in the wake of a global pandemic and police killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. During the 2020 season, Amanda Zahui B created a virtual book club for a group of 7th and 8th grade girls to explore the work of Black authors.
ABOUT CAFE CON LIBROS
Cafe con Libros (coffee with books) is an intersectional Feminist community bookstore and coffee shop. Through their choice of books, programming and great coffee, they endeavor to create a vibrant community space where everyone; specifically, female identified folx, feel centered, affirmed and celebrated.
home. | Cafe con Libros | Feminist Bookstore & Coffee Shop, Brooklyn (cafeconlibrosbk.com)
ABOUT THE NEW YORK LIBERTY
The New York Liberty was founded on October 30, 1996 and is one of three original franchises remaining in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Liberty have made four WNBA Finals appearances in its 24-year history. Owned by Joe and Clara Tsai, owners of the Brooklyn Nets, the Liberty will play its home games at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
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