Growing up, I did not have the privilege of having a ton of characters written for me. Many other readers around the world experienced the feeling of belonging in all forms of media. I had to actively search for books, movies or magazines that showcased the diverse array of black stories.
I am thankful for the people before me and today that fight for inclusivity. Not only for people of different races, but body types, sexualities and many more. Luckily, their efforts have placed diverse and relatable characters at the forefront of the media. It is people like Glory Edim, founder of the book club Well-Read Black Girl, that create a platform for everyone to be able to find themselves in literature.
Over the past decade, Glory Edim has had an impactful career. She started the Well-Read Black Girl community, produced three sold-out literary festivals, published her first book, received the Hurston/Wright Madam CJ Walker Award and Innovators Award from the LA Times, and has been featured in the New York Times, LA Times, Essence, Vogue and Ebony.
What has made Edim so amazing is her ability to bring together like-minded people. Along with some of America’s best black women writers, they have gathered literature that connects all people—regardless of their race, gender and religion.
Well-Read Black Girl is a collection of complex essays by talented black women. The book dives in on topics such as the transition from teen to adulthood, analyzing the morals of critically acclaimed novels or conjuring alternative futures. The book encompasses the club’s purpose to overcome struggles and find relaxation in books.
Edim has empowered Black women to notice the value they have in society. By uplifting black women writers and artists, mainstream media has succumbed to a new era. One where the power of a story can create empathy in the world and ourselves.
Today, kids have the freedom to see themselves in literature, write their own stories and share with like-minded people. Glory Edim has created an inclusive environment that should serve as the ideal model.
The future is bright for Edim and her thriving community. Please dive into one of the books suggested on the Well-Read Black Girl 2020 Booklist. Get involved, because Black Women are utilizing their gifts in all fields.
Words by Tamia Haskins