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.

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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.”

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.

@tarajayefrank Some 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.

What I’m Reading: Anti-Racism and DEI