Join us for Episode 5 of AV Reads, hosted by Destiny Williams! This episode dives into “Parable of the Sower” by Octavia Butler. Set in a near-future America facing challenges like climate disaster, economic instability, and social upheaval, this powerful story follows 15-year-old Lauren Olamina as she searches for hope and builds community in a world on the brink.

Ready to grow with us? Let’s turn the page together!

In this episode of AV Reads, we unpack Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man — a profound exploration of identity, race, and what it means to be unseen in a world built on erasure.

Ellison’s timeless narrative challenges us to look deeper at visibility, power, and self-definition within a society that often refuses to see Black humanity in full.

In this episode of AV Reads, we dive into Lorraine Hansberry’s groundbreaking play A Raisin in the Sun. 🎭

We explore the intersecting themes of oppression, womanhood, and the pursuit of dignity, a story that continues to reflect the struggles and dreams of Black families today.

Hansberry’s work reminds us that liberation often begins at home — in our choices, our dreams, and our courage to imagine something more.

In this episode of AV Reads, we explore Annie John — a coming-of-age story that captures the bittersweet transition from childhood to independence. 🌱

Jamaica Kincaid paints a vivid picture of girlhood, rebellion, and self-discovery in colonial Antigua. Through Annie’s eyes, we see what it means to grow up, push back, and find your own voice in a world that tries to define you.

We’re kicking off our AV Reads series and sharing a powerful reflection on Barracoon by Zora Neale Hurston. 📚

Join us as we explore Hurston’s telling of Cudjo Lewis’s story — one of the last known survivors of the transatlantic slave trade — and the legacy his voice left behind.