Avery Messenger Ep. 4 Book Clubs and Banned Books

Book clubs and banned books are shaping how communities read, learn, and push back against censorship—especially when reading becomes a shared, collective practice. In this episode of Avery Messenger , hosts Georgette Mayo and D’Aujai Kelly explore the legacy and impact of Black-led reading communities, from Charleston’s longstanding Phillis Wheatley Literary and Social Club archives to the Dr.

Consuela Francis Reading Circle and its 10-year milestone. You’ll also hear from OlaRonke Akinmowo , founder/director of the Free Black Women’s Library in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, and George M.

Johnson , award-winning author of All Boys Aren’t Blue , on why storytelling matters—and what it takes to resist book bans and censorship. Links From Podcast: Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture website: Last Call for Proposals: “Those Who Have, Must Turn Around and Give:” Celebrating 40 Years of Preserving Black History and Education,” AMN 1031: Phillis Wheatley Literary and Social Club records on the Lowcountry Digital Library: Dr.

Conseula Francis Reading Circle: Red Island House with author Andrea Lee: YouTube link: Article from the National Endowment for the Arts: “Federal Date on Reading for Pleasure: All Signs Show a Slump” by Sunil Iyengar. OlaRonke Akinmowo and The Free Black Women’s Library: Charleston City Paper article: “Activists say book bans infringe on free speech,” by Maura Hogan.

Dated 3 October 2025. George M.

Johnson website: Time Stamps / Chapters: 00:56 Why book clubs matter: community + critical thinking 01:46 Phillis Wheatley Literary & Social Club (Avery archives) 03:30 Dr. Consuela Francis Reading Circle: origins + 10-year milestone 06:08 Zoom era: expanded reach + author conversations 08:18 Interview begins: OlaRonke Akinmowo + Free Black Women’s Library 14:04 From traveling library to storefront (5,000+ books) 18:08 Mutual aid in action: period pantry, free store, garden + care 22:53 Censorship + banned books: why cultural production matters 26:58 “Pretty Little Brick”: Black women writers collective + limited edition 34:08 George M.

Johnson intro: All Boys Aren’t Blue + banned books context 36:03 Writing origins + Toni Morrison influence 41:22 Writing as liberation + chosen family + supporting youth 48:13 Book bans reality: activism, ideology, and impact 59:45 Subverting censorship: gifting books + “resource center” strategy 01:02:49 Announcements + acknowledgments + upcoming episodes