Summer Reading Recommendations From Our Narrative Change Workgroup

What’s on your summer reading list 📖🌟? We asked our Narrative Change Workgroup to share some recommendations for those interested in furthering their racial equity learning journey this summer. Here’s what they offered, including some reasons why they recommend these books:

Danis Gehl, Ph.D., Chair of Narrative Change Workgroup
“Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King, Jr.  From Dr. Gehl: It is well worth revisiting even if you read it before. HIs essay(s) are, sadly, still relevant. More importantly, the book gives greater insight into MLK, Jr. and separates the 1960’s social justice seeker from the one-dimensional version we see today.
“The Demon of Unrest” by Erik Larson. From Dr. Gehl: This is a historical account of the five months between the election of Abraham Lincoln and the start of the Civil War. Although not strictly a book on racial equity, it presents a view on how the North and South viewed the institution of slavery and enslaved and free-born Black Americans in the antebellum period. Warning it is a long book.

Rene Petties- Jones, President/CEO at National Federation for Just Communities
“The Age of Outrage: How to Lead in a Polarized World” by Karthik Ramanna
“The Heart Work of Modern Leadership: 6 Differentiators of Exceptional Leaders” by David Grossman

John Horn, Esq., Harter, Secrest & Emery LLP
“How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America” by Clint Smith
“The Underground Railroad” by Colson Whitehead
“Lies My Teacher Told Me” by James Loewen

Latricia Davis, Ph.D., Director of Inclusion at West Herr
“Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Isabel Wilkerson
“The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together” by Heather McGhee

From Dr. Davis:  I believe both selections offer opportunities for reflection, growth, and deeper conversation, while encouraging readers to examine systems, relationships, and the role each of us plays in creating more inclusive and connected communities.

Betsy Constantine, President & CEO of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
“The Color of Law” by Richard Rothstein
“Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City” by Matthew Desmond

Lana Benatovich, National Federation for Just Communities, Retired
“United: Thoughts On Finding Common Ground and Advancing The Common Good” by Cory Booker
“Stand” by Cory Booker

If you are picking up one of these books, we encourage you to shop at a local bookstore such as Second Chapter Bookstore or Zawadi Books  so that every page turned supports our community!