National Reading Circle
Classic Works & Scholarly Literature Highlighting Women of Color
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
There are three major objectives of The Center’s National Reading Circle:
For more information contact Dr. Antoinette M. Rogers, Director of Programs, at arogers@deltafoundation.net.