National Reading Circle

Classic Works & Scholarly Literature Highlighting Women of Color

The National Reading Circle engages members of Delta Sigma Theta, friends and families to participate in annual virtual events featuring books selected by the DREF Sister Scholars Advisory Council.

The National Reading Circle was revived in a virtual event to discuss Caste, by Isabel Wilkerson in 2021 and celebrated Women’s History month with a Literary Jam fundraising event highlighting Just As I Am, by Cicely Tyson in March 2022.

In 2023 the book selection was Bertha Maxwell-Roddey: A Modern-Day Race Women and the Power of Black Leadership written by DREF Sister Scholar Dr. Sonya Ramsey. The 2024 Spring book discussion First Ladies written by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray was recorded and available to review now in the News section on this site.

The Fall/Winter virtual book discussion on December 3, 2004 featured Shirley Chisholm in Her Own Words: Speeches and Writings Edited by Zinga A. Fraser, Ph.D.

In addition, the National Reading Circle presents a Fall/Winter recommended reading list. Enjoy the following selections:

2024-25 DREF FALL/WINTER READING LIST

Adult Fiction

Hold You Down by Tracy Brown

Neighbors and Other Stories by Diane Oliver

Love, Lies & Music 2: The Next Verse by Midnight Storm

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson

A Very Typical Family by Sierra Godfrey

The Awkward Black Man by Walter Mosley

Summer on the Bluffs by Sunny Hostin

While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams

Lead From the Outside: How to Build Your Future and Make Real Change by Stacey Abrams

Unparalleled Resilience: An Inspiring Collection of Experiences and Practical Tools and Wisdom to Help You Grow Tamara Bond

Business/Finance

Super Rich by Russell Simmons

Black Business Secrets by Dante Lee

It’s About Damn Time by Arlan Hamilton

Your First Million by Arlan Hamilton

Danny Dollar Millionaire Extraordinaire: The Lemonade Escapade by Ty Allan Jackson (children’s book)

Mental Health/Inspirational

Tiny Book of Scriptures for Individuals with Schizophrenia by Lisa LaCon, Ph.D., CRCThe Nap Ministry’s Rest Deck: 50 Practices to Resist Grind Culture by Tricia Hersey

We Will Rest! The Art of Escape by Tricia Hersey

Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey

From Dreams to Life, to Restoration: A Woman’s Journey with God! Dr. Kyshone Moss

Stepping Out of The Darkness & Into His Glorious Light: The Blessing in the Storm, A Spiritual Memoir Lolita Law

Race and Political Thought

The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Democracy in Black by Eddie S. Glaude

The Whiteness of Wealth by Dorothy A Brown, Karen Murray

Shirley Chisholm in Her Own Words: Speeches and Writings Edited by Zinga A. Fraser, Ph.D.

Culture and Education

Through Rites of Passage by Kamau Ptah

Soulful Holidays by Ciara L. Hill

A Year of Black Joy by Jamia Wilson

HBCU Made A Celebration of the Black College Experience Edited by Ayesha Rascoe

Children’s Literature

Shirley Chisholm Dared: The Story of the First Black Woman in Congress by Alicia D. Williams and April Harrison

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

Grace for President by Kelly S. DiPucchio

As Brave as You by Jason Reynolds

Little Boss with a Big Vision by Natalia Trota Gerald

Objective

There are three major objectives of The Center’s National Reading Circle:

To educate readers about the important contributions made by African American women
To support the African American authors who have written classic work and/or scholarly literature
To motivate the readers to engage in activism that will create possibilities and improve lives for women and their families

For more information contact Dr. Antoinette M. Rogers, Director of Programs, at arogers@deltafoundation.net.

Donations & Support

The Delta Research and Education Foundation (DREF) is a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt organization. Qualified donors are entitled to a Federal income tax deduction for every dollar invested in our charitable work.

Our promise to every donor is unqualified accountability and strict adherence to DREF’s mandate to change lives for the better. We value the trust you put in our hands, and manage contributions efficiently, directing them toward programs that open new doors of opportunity.

Workplace Giving Form

Donate with Blackbaud eTapestry

Donate with GiveSmart

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded on January 13, 1913, by 22 collegiate women at Howard University to promote academic excellence and provide assistance to those in need. The Founders of Delta Sigma Theta envisioned an organization committed to sisterhood, scholarship, service, and addressing the social issues of the time.

Since its founding, Delta Sigma Theta has become one of the preeminent service-based sororities, with more than 300,000 initiated members and over 1,000 chartered chapters worldwide.

Learn more about Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.