Introducing the Black Talk Reading Lounge

In partnership with Textile, discover the Black Talk Reading Lounge at the John M. Harper Branch

Black Storytelling

Stories have always been important to Black people across the African Diaspora. The story is the first place Black people were able to document their stories freely. Through folktales, songs, proverbs, metaphors, and so much more, Black people preserved their identities and memories for future generations to engage with. Fiction created a space for us to create ourselves.

The Griot or African storyteller holds a revered place in the Black community. Originating from West Africa, the griot represents a living archivist, historian, genealogist, and teacher through the art of the spoken word. As Black community has evolved, they count writers among griots; all Black storytellers have the potential to earn the griot title.

For this Black Talk Reading Lounge, Textile has focused on stories of speculative fiction created by Black women griots. Black women are pioneers in Black storytelling, carrying the stories from one generation to the next. However, you will encounter writings by some others that do not identify as women among the collection. Speculative fiction is where Black authors predict global futures. The books gathered in the reading lounge feature stories that call on mysticism, mythology, spirituality, history, and African proverbs to offer teachings for the world we wish to live in.