Literary Freedom Project Videos

This Sunday, 2/11, 12p, join One Book One Bronx when we begin a discussion of James Baldwin's Giovanni's Room. www.obob.info.

On Jan 10, One Book One Bronx invited writer and editor Cassandra Lane to join the conversation on her essay "Skinned," which was featured in the book Everything But the Burden by Greg Tate.

Is this the year you join #onebookonebronx? We have a free book for you. Link in bio. #bronxreads #blackbookclubs

#JuneJordan, the poet.

One Book One Bronx: I Don't Want To Die Poor by Michael Arceneaux
Michael Arceneaux has never shied away from discussing his struggles with debt, but in I Don’t Want to Die Poor, he reveals the extent to which it has an impact on every facet of his life—how he dates; how he seeks medical care (or in some cases, is unable to); how he wrestles with the question of whether or not he should have chosen a more financially secure path; and finally, how he has dealt with his “dream” turning into an ongoing nightmare as he realizes one bad decision could unravel all that he’s earned. You know, actual “economic anxiety. DISCUSSION SCHEDULE: Tuesdays, 7-830p 1/4: Chapters 1-3, pages 1-45 1/11: Chapters 4-7, pages 46-107 1/18: Chapters 8-11, pages 108-172 > Michael Arceneaux will join the conversation 1/25: Chapters 12-15, pages 173-end ”I Don’t Want to Die Poor is an unforgettable and relatable examination about what it’s like leading a life that often feels out of your control. But in Michael’s voice that’s “as joyful as he is shrewd” (BuzzFeed), these razor-sharp essays will still manage to make you laugh and remind you that you’re not alone in this often intimidating journey. One Book One Bronx hosts restorative conversations related to gentrification, social justice, women’s empowerment, criminal justice, and racial inequality. The program reflects the racial, economic, and gender demographics of the borough and builds bridges to engagement while (re)sparking a love of literature. Every week, we meet to discuss one book that reflects the people of the Bronx.

One Book One Bronx: You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience by Tarana Burke & Brené Brown
Tarana Burke and Brené Brown invited some of the most influential Black writers and cultural figures in the United States to discuss vulnerability, shame resilience, and the Black experience. What emerged is a stunning collection of essays that explore the trauma of white supremacy and the beauty and fullness of Black humanity and Black possibility. Contributions by Kiese Laymon, Imani Perry, Laverne Cox, Jason Reynolds, Austin Channing Brown, and more. DISCUSSION SCHEDULE Tuesdays 7-830p 11/23: pages 1-53 (chapters 1-4) 11/30: pages 54-108 (chapters 5-10) 12/7: pages 109-153 (chapters 11-14) 12/14: pages 154-end (chapters 15-20) Free and open to the public One Book One Bronx hosts restorative conversations related to gentrification, social justice, women’s empowerment, criminal justice, and racial inequality. The program reflects the racial, economic, and gender demographics of the borough and builds bridges to engagement while (re)sparking a love of literature. Every week, we meet to discuss one book that reflects the people of the Bronx.

On November 20, the Mosaic Literary Conference will honor the spirit of June Jordan and Pauli Murray. Join us, when we present a day of virtual panels and workshops focused on queer identity. Free and open to the public. Registration link in bio. The Mosaic Literary Conference provides a platform for literature-based creative thinking and knowledge sharing. Each year we invite educators, community and arts organizations, as well as the public to participate in a variety of workshops.

Zami: A New Spelling of My Name Discussion - Saturday Rain Special
Join us!

One Book One Bronx: Mama Phife Represents by Cheryl Boyce-Taylor
One Book One Bronx hosts weekly discussions focused on a diverse selection of books. Mama Phife Represents: A Memoir by Cheryl Boyce-Taylor Award-winning poet Cheryl Boyce-Taylor pays tribute to her departed son Malik ‘Phife Dawg’ Taylor of the legendary hip-hop trio A Tribe Called Quest in this intimate collection. TUESDAYS 7-830p May 11: pages 1-72 (Chapters 1 & 2) May 18: pages 73-143 (Chapters 3 & 4) May 25: Cheryl Boyce Taylor will join the conversation. Mama Phife Represents is a hybrid story that follows the journey of a mother’s grieving heart through her first two years of public and private mourning. Told through a tapestry of narrative poems, dreams, anecdotes, journal entries, and letters, these treasured fragments of their lives show a great love between mother and son. Artist and artist, teacher and friend. Cheryl Boyce-Taylor’s gift includes drawings, emails, hip-hop lyrics, and notes Malik wrote to his parents beginning at age eight. Both elegy and praise song, there is joy and sorrow, healing, and a mother’s triumphant heart that rises and blooms again. Cheryl Boyce-Taylor is a poet and teaching artist. She earned an MFA from Stonecoast at the University of Southern Maine and an MSW from Fordham University. Her collections of poetry include Raw Air (2000), Night When Moon Follows (2000), Convincing the Body (2005), and Arrival(2017), which was a finalist for the Paterson Poetry Prize.

One Book One Bronx: Mama Phife Represents by Cheryl Boyce-Taylor
One Book One Bronx hosts weekly discussions focused on a diverse selection of books. Mama Phife Represents: A Memoir by Cheryl Boyce-Taylor Award-winning poet Cheryl Boyce-Taylor pays tribute to her departed son Malik ‘Phife Dawg’ Taylor of the legendary hip-hop trio A Tribe Called Quest in this intimate collection. TUESDAYS 7-830p May 11: pages 1-72 (Chapters 1 & 2) May 18: pages 73-143 (Chapters 3 & 4) May 25: Cheryl Boyce Taylor will join the conversation. Mama Phife Represents is a hybrid story that follows the journey of a mother’s grieving heart through her first two years of public and private mourning. Told through a tapestry of narrative poems, dreams, anecdotes, journal entries, and letters, these treasured fragments of their lives show a great love between mother and son. Artist and artist, teacher and friend. Cheryl Boyce-Taylor’s gift includes drawings, emails, hip-hop lyrics, and notes Malik wrote to his parents beginning at age eight. Both elegy and praise song, there is joy and sorrow, healing, and a mother’s triumphant heart that rises and blooms again. Cheryl Boyce-Taylor is a poet and teaching artist. She earned an MFA from Stonecoast at the University of Southern Maine and an MSW from Fordham University. Her collections of poetry include Raw Air (2000), Night When Moon Follows (2000), Convincing the Body (2005), and Arrival(2017), which was a finalist for the Paterson Poetry Prize.

One Book One Bronx: Mama Phife Represents by Cheryl Boyce-Taylor
One Book One Bronx hosts weekly discussions focused on a diverse selection of books. Mama Phife Represents: A Memoir by Cheryl Boyce-Taylor Award-winning poet Cheryl Boyce-Taylor pays tribute to her departed son Malik ‘Phife Dawg’ Taylor of the legendary hip-hop trio A Tribe Called Quest in this intimate collection. TUESDAYS 7-830p May 11: pages 1-72 (Chapters 1 & 2) May 18: pages 73-143 (Chapters 3 & 4) May 25: Cheryl Boyce Taylor will join the conversation. Mama Phife Represents is a hybrid story that follows the journey of a mother’s grieving heart through her first two years of public and private mourning. Told through a tapestry of narrative poems, dreams, anecdotes, journal entries, and letters, these treasured fragments of their lives show a great love between mother and son. Artist and artist, teacher and friend. Cheryl Boyce-Taylor’s gift includes drawings, emails, hip-hop lyrics, and notes Malik wrote to his parents beginning at age eight. Both elegy and praise song, there is joy and sorrow, healing, and a mother’s triumphant heart that rises and blooms again. Cheryl Boyce-Taylor is a poet and teaching artist. She earned an MFA from Stonecoast at the University of Southern Maine and an MSW from Fordham University. Her collections of poetry include Raw Air (2000), Night When Moon Follows (2000), Convincing the Body (2005), and Arrival(2017), which was a finalist for the Paterson Poetry Prize.

#OneBookOneBronx wasn't founded as a space exclusively for women but we've always acknowledged the privilege of sharing this literary movement with all the smart, dynamic, and gracious women who join us every week. #Bigup! #internationalwomensday #bookclub #upinthebronxwherethepeoplearefresh

Just sending love to @jamelshabazz on his birthday. In 2017, we presented a conference and exhibition dedicated to his photography and life's mission to uplift the humanity of all people. In 2010, Laylah Amatullah Barrayn, @laylahb, interviewed Shabazz for our literary magazine, Mosaic. “When I approach people it’s about sincerity. Listening to the stories of my subjects, really taking the time to hear their stories will produce a smile on their face. It creates a relaxing environment. You would have thought I’ve known them forever. Why? Because I made them feel comfortable. You have to be sincere.” Film by @opiyookeyo at the opening reception of the exhibit #BlackDocuments: Jamel Shabazz • Freedom

One Book One Bronx: a Lucky Man by Jamel Brinkley
Before COVID-19 forced us into isolation, One Book One Bronx was reading Jamel Brinkley's A Lucky Man. The final session was held online on March 24. For details visit www.onebookonebronx.com

Remember the #goodolddays when we left the house to gather in community? One year ago, #onebookonebronx met to discuss Akwaeke Emezi's Freshwater. @news12bx was on hand to document the book club. Join us next week on ZOOM when we start a new discussion on Daughters of the Stone by @dahlmallanosfigueroa. Be ready to talk about pages 1-60. #keepreading #bookclubs #bookstagram

We're back at it tonight 630p. #OneBookOneBronx continues to chop up #WetheAnimals. Walk-ins welcomed. If you love your disfunctional family then you can contribute to the conversation. Justin Torres' debut novel is a welterweight champ of a book. It tells the story of three brothers growing up in a family that is both fiercely loyal and violently chaotic. Together, they endure their parents, their poverty and, of course, each other. #bookclublove #nycbookclub #PuertoRican #bronxreads