What I’m Reading: Anti-Racism and DEI

My 2022 and 2023 book lists

Hello friends,

You won’t be surprised to hear that I read anti-racism books. You might be surprised to hear that I don’t read as many as you’d expect. The reason? Sometimes reading those books means reliving trauma, and I don’t always have the mental or emotional fortitude to cope.

My 2022 Anti-Racism Reading List

That said, I DID manage to finish a few books covering both anti-racism and diversity, equity and inclusion last year. These included:

• Hush Money by Jacquie Abram - this is a must read, and was reviewed brilliantly here by Lisa Hurley.

• The Wake Up by Michelle MiJung Kim, which among other things, really nails concepts about allyship - here’s my review.

• The Anti-Racist Organisation by Shereen Daniels, which includes assessments and recommendations you can use to start where you are.

• I’m Tired of Racism - yes, it’s my own book and I had to read it several times in the publishing process.

• The Waymakers by Tara Jaye Frank which offers an approach to inclusion that I like.

My Starting Points For Anti-Racism Reading in 2023

Here’s what’s on my list so far this year:

• I’m Not Yelling by Elizabeth Leiba - I’ve just started reading this and it is already phenomenal! Here’s what the description says: “part strategy for savvy Black business women navigating a predominantly white corporate America and part vessel empowering Black women to find their voices in toxic work environments and be successful business women.”

• Hush Money 2 by Jacquie Abram - the follow-up to one of the best books I read last year. The book description starts powerfully: “I never knew the cost of being black in Corporate America. The price I would pay with my dignity and fundamental rights as a human being just to have a job that wasn't in a low-income sector.”

• The Conversation by Robert Livingston - mentioned in my interview with the author and on my TBR list since then. Here’s the description: “An essential tool for individuals, organizations, and communities of all sizes to jump-start dialogue on racism and bias and to transform well-intentioned statements on diversity into concrete actions—from a leading Harvard expert.”

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Other Books on my Anti-Racism and DEI Reading List

In addition, I’d like to read:

• Plantation Theory by John Graham

• The Black Book by Toni Morrison

• The Inclusive Organisation by Netta Jenkins

• Working While Black: A Woman's Guide to Stop Being the Best Kept Secret by Dr. Tana M. Session

• Inclusion Uncomplicated by Dr Nika White

• Dirty Diversity and The Pink Elephant Book by Dr Janice Gassam Asare

Of course, these books are only a fraction of the anti-racism reading I do.

Last year, I shared more than 120 articles via my reading list series, and since not every article made the cut, I read a lot more. I plan to do the same again this year and have already started prepping January’s reading list.

What are you planning to read this year?

Bonus: here’s a video from Tara Jaye Frank sharing how she decolonised her bookshelf.

@tarajayefrankSome of my most productive sponsor relationships have been with white men and I’ve learned a lot from them. But leadership books that don’t address equitable outcomes for Black and Brown people and all women are outdated. Time for a refresh. Bringing the energy of the future into 2023. #everythinghasenergy #leadershipbooks #equityforall #inclusion #businessbooks #wearethewaymakers #betheway #careertiktok #protip #thefutureofleadership #freshstart #newyear #2023

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Thanks for being here,

Sharon

© Sharon Hurley Hall, 2023. All Rights Reserved.

Cover photo courtesy of Canva.

I am an anti-racism writer, educator and activist, Co-Founder of Mission Equality the author of “I’m Tired of Racism”, and co-host of The Introvert Sisters podcast.