The Free Black Women's Library Annual Reading Challenge

Emily Taylor Center for Women & Gender Equity uplifts the writing of Black women, femmes, and nonbinary people by encouraging KU students to participate in The Free Black Women's Library annual reading challenge.

Created by OlaRonke Akinmowo, The Free Black Women’s Library (TFBWL) is a Brooklyn-based social art project, interactive installation, and book collection that celebrates the brilliance, diversity, and imagination of Black women writers. The library features over four thousand books written by Black women, as well as an annual reading challenge, workshops, readings, story circles, performances, cultural conversations, and a monthly reading club.

Throughout Fall 2022, Emily Taylor Center for Women & Gender Equity will highlight select books by Black women, femmes, and nonbinary writers that fit within TFBWL challenge categories on our socials and give away limited copies to KU students. 

In Spring/Fall 2021 and Spring 2022, ETCWGE hosted The Free Black Women's Library Annual Reading Challenge Video Series featuring Black women, femme, and nonbinary people at KU reading excerpts from books that fit within TFBWL challenge categories live on Instagram and archived on YouTube.

TFBWL Annual Reading Challenge Video Series

Watch The Free Black Women's Library 2021 and 2022 Reading Challenge Video Series on YouTube.