Librarian OlaRonke encourages us to develop a reading practice in community with others. Don’t just read banned books, “read banned books with other people.” We get it, books can be dense. Especially in a time where our attention spans are scarce. Joining or creating a book club can create easeful accountability, natural discourse, and creative learning opportunities!

Banned Book Author, Dr. Mahogany L. Browne, donates a set of books to local schools, libraries, or learning spaces every year.  “The same way [schools] are in need of free lunch, they’re in need of free books.” Make sure the shelves are stacked with diverse authors that allow a range of readers to see themselves!

Coiner of “intersectionality” and “critical race theory”, Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw is not new to attempts at silencing and censorship. Crenshaw warns that book bannings or “the desire to create one celebratory narrative and to erase everything else and everyone else” as a slippery slide into fascism – encouraging us all to become Freedom Readers and do everything we can to protect democracy. Join African American Policy Forum on May 3rd, 2025 for “Freedom To Learn” a day of action to push back against book bans.