BLK LIT

In Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, we sit with Darlene Okpo at Adanne Books & Co. about the purpose and niche of independent bookstores and the challenges of running one largely alone. Okpo explains her motivation as an NYC educator and African American studies major who saw students and adults disengage from reading when schools and institutions didn’t reflect their interests or Black history; she emphasizes listening to customers, curating books by and about people of color, and creating a healing community space. 

Visit Adanne Bookshop: https://adanne.co/

Instagram: https://adanne.co/pages/instagram.com/adanne.co

Connect: Jacquees Thomas @_ThatsPeace 

Sign up for News and Great Gifts for Book Lovers AbakeBooks.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At The Lit Bar in Mott Haven, Bronx, with the founder Noelle "Santos" Brown in season two of “BLK LIT,” spotlighting women preserving Black stories by opening bookstores across the metro area. Brown describes opening The Lit Bar in 2019 after learning the Bronx’s last bookstore (a Barnes & Noble) was threatened, motivating her to create a community literary resource. Brown discusses her audacity and willingness to learn, her curated approach to serving the Bronx’s diversity, and why more bookstores in the Bronx would strengthen the local literary ecosystem. She frames The Lit Bar as an evolving legacy, focused initially on literacy activism and now on creating jobs and a growing economy in her community.

Visit The Lit Bar: https://www.thelitbar.com/

Connect: Jacquees Thomas @_ThatsPeace 

Sign up for News and Great Gifts for Book Lovers AbakeBooks.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to Season Two of BLK LIT. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this lively roundtable discussion, host Jacquees Thomas sits down with some of her favorite book influencers to unpack the fictional novel Sky Full of Elephants. Joining the conversation are Jordan Hernandez, founder of Completely Booked; Chase Griffin and Shaquille Anderson, co-founders of Booked and Busy Book Club; and Anne, creator of LaGringaBaiana.

Together, they dive into each guest’s personal journey and the inspirations behind their literary platforms while exploring the complex themes woven into Cebo Campbell’s Sky Full of Elephants. The discussion highlights the layered perspectives of characters like Sydney and Charlie, the emotional weight of forgiveness and identity, and the possibility of adapting the novel into a series.

The panel also reflects on the unspoken influence of setting; how Alabama’s charged history and the ocean’s symbolic presence act as characters of their own, shaping the narrative’s depth and impact.

This episode offers an intimate look at the power of literature to inspire community and culture—and how that same community can uplift an artist’s perspective, even in the absence of mainstream media support.

Connect:

Jacquees "Peace" Thomas @_ThatsPeace 

Jordan Hernandez @_CompletelyBooked 

Chase Griffin & Shaquille Anderson @BookedandBusyBookClub_

Anne @LaGringaBaiana

Read: SKY FULL OF ELEPHANTS 

Learn More: CeboCampbell.com

Special Thanks to @CeboCampbell 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of BLK LIT, host Jacquees Thomas delves into the life and work of Cebo Campbell, author, creative director, and award-winning poet. Best known for his debut novel, Sky Full of Elephants, Campbell’s work has captured the attention of book clubs and literary influencers across the country.

The episode explores Campbell’s creative journey, including the personal experiences that shaped his voice, the inspiration behind his storytelling, and the challenges he faced while promoting his work. With powerful insights from Campbell himself and reflections from book influencers, this conversation examines themes of identity, culture, and the intentional removal of the white gaze in storytelling.

As the dialogue unfolds, listeners gain a deeper understanding of Campbell’s process, his richly drawn characters, and the emotional weight his work carries, on the page and beyond.

Connect: @_ThatsPeace @CeboCampbell 

Read: SKY FULL OF ELEPHANTS 

Learn More: CeboCampbell.com

Special Thanks To:

Jordan Hernandez @_CompletelyBooked 

Chase Griffin & Shaquille Anderson @BookedandBusyBookClub_

Anne @LaGringaBaiana

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who is Cebo Campbell? What inspired him to write the novel Sky Full of Elephants? In this conversation, we explore his upbringing and the world that shaped his brilliant mind and unique perspective.

Cebo reflects on his journey and the profound significance of identity, family, and cultural heritage in informing his work. He speaks to the audacity of Black existence, the search for solace, and the responsibility of holding Black culture sacred through storytelling.

Drawing from personal experience and the lasting influence of literary giants like Toni Morrison, Colson Whitehead, and Octavia Butler, Cebo underscores the importance of collective identity and expansive imagination. He reminds us that the future of Black literature depends on bold artistic expression and a commitment to honoring our shared cultural legacy.

While sports once defined his early years, writing quickly became his sanctuary—and now, it’s our privilege to receive his words. Sky Full of Elephants is Campbell’s debut novel. It opens with a cataclysmic event: all of the white people in America walk into the nearest body of water. The premise grabs you immediately—and so does Cebo, in this first episode, as we journey deeper into his work and the vision that drives it.

Connect: @_ThatsPeace @CeboCampbell 

Read: SKY FULL OF ELEPHANTS 

Learn More: CeboCampbell.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, New York Times bestselling author George M. Johnson joins Jacquees Thomas for a powerful conversation about identity, imagination, and the role of literature in shaping culture. George reflects on their upbringing in New Jersey, the strength of family support, and how writing became both a refuge and a form of rebellion.

Together, they explore the challenges of being a queer writer, the importance of storytelling across generations, and the urgent need to foster empathy—especially in a time of rising book bans and societal censorship. From generational shifts to the evolving understanding of gender and identity, this conversation dives deep into how literature can challenge norms, affirm truths, and spark collective healing.

At its core, this episode is about the radical act of writing with authenticity—and the freedom that comes from owning your story.

Connect @_thatsPeace @iamgmjohnson

Read: All Boys Aren't Blue and Flamboyants

Listen: Fighting Words 

Learn More: About George M Johnson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Jacquees and Producer Jason Torres join the conversation to unpack the power of Black history with Michael Harriot, the absurdity of whitewashed narratives, and why understanding the past is the real flex. They break down the term “Drapetomania”—the so-called “mental illness” that doctors once claimed made enslaved people want to escape—and how this twisted concept still echoes in today’s political landscape, where erasing uncomfortable truths is big business.

Harriot, known for his sharp wit and cutting commentary, pulls back the curtain on his latest book, “Black as Fuck History”—a deep dive into the parts of our past that mainstream textbooks like to skip. He shares surprising discoveries from his research, the power of storytelling, and why centering Black voices isn’t just about history—it’s about our collective future.

If you’re ready to flip the script on what you thought you knew, this episode is for you. Get ready for laughs, hard truths, and the kind of perspective shift you didn’t know you needed.

Connect @_thatsPeace @MichaelHarriot

Read: Black AF History 

Listen: Drapetomaniax: Unshackled History

Learn More: MichaelHarriot.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Effect Presents... BLK LIT!

The discussion centers on the friendship between Phyllis Wheatley and Obour Tanner, highlighting their intellectual exchange and the significance of their letters during the Revolutionary War. The episode delves into themes of legacy, faith, and the power of Black joy, illustrating how these women navigated their identities and built a lasting impact through their words.

CREDITS

Brigitte Fielder - Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin Madison in the College of Letters and Science

David Waldstreicher - Professor of History, Black, Race, and Ethnic Studies, Biography and Memoir, American Studies at CUNY

Cassander Smith - Professor of English at the University of Alabama / Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the Honors College also at Alabama

Tara Bynum -  Associate Professor of English and African American Studies at the University of Iowa.

Halimah Shabazz - Special Guest 

Don Holmes - Assistant Professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh

READ 

The Odyssey of Phillis Wheatley: A Poet’s Journeys Through American Slavery and Independence By David Waldstreicher

Reading Pleasures - Everyday Black Living in Early America, By Tara A. Bynum

Race and Respectability in an Early Black Atlantic, By Cassander L. Smith

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Broader Landscape of Black Literature
02:53 Friendship and Resilience in Letters
05:50 Phyllis Wheatley: A Voice of Power
09:14 Legacy and the Importance of Correspondence
11:55 Faith and Reclamation of Power
14:50 The Impact of Black Joy and Friendship

TEAM BLK LIT

Jason Torres: @JNTNY

Jabari Davis @JabariADavis

Jacquees Thomas @_ThatsPeace 

Join the Writers Collective BLKWritersRoom.com

Sign up for News and Great Gifts for Book Lovers AbakeBooks.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie Mitchell discusses her newly released book 'Pros to the People,' a powerful tribute to the legacy of Black bookstores in America, exploring their rich history and cultural significance. She shares the personal journey that led her to write the book and reflects on the deep cultural impact these spaces have had as hubs for knowledge, resistance, and community. Katie doesn’t shy away from the hard truths—like the history of FBI surveillance—but also brings light to the beauty of visual storytelling and the enduring spirit of Black literature. It’s a moving dialogue about preservation, purpose, and what the future holds for Black bookstores in a changing world.

Read Prose To The People 

Connect @_thatsPEACE @goodbooksatl

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.