All Ways Black and Little Free Library Bring Books to Black Communities Across the Country

By NaTyshca Pickett

All Ways Black, Penguin Random House's community dedicated to Black writers and the readers who love them, is kicking off 2023 by releasing a book to celebrate the legacy of Black books and their impact on culture.

The cypher, which features Cree Myles, curator of All Ways Black, and local Milwaukee artists Genesis Renji, Klassik, and Marli Amor, is being held in the library as a protest against the increasing number of places where books are being banned. This year's cypher is a follow-up to the first one in 2022; its topic is legacy, and it encourages participants to consider both the past and the future while they write. The recent rise in book bans in the United States has disproportionately affected works with characters of color and amounts to the destruction of not only inspiring narratives but also the potential for positive change that they may have sparked.

In order to increase distribution, All Ways Black is collaborating with the non-profit Little Free Library to construct Little Free Libraries in areas with a high Black population, stocking them with books written by Black authors, many of which have been banned or challenged in the past (if you are interested in having a library installed in your area, please fill out this application). Penguin Random House will provide one book to the cause for every time the cipher is shared online.

"Black stories saved my life, and all I'm ever trying to do is pass that forward," said Cree Myles, Curator, All Ways Black. The library was the place where I first became aware of literature. I borrowed the books that ultimately altered the course of my life from the library: The Bluest Eye, Their Eyes Were Watching God, and The Color Purple. Returning to the Milwaukee Public Library, the birthplace of the cypher, to shoot it was an unforgettable experience. To help spread the word that libraries are a fantastic resource that everyone should take use of, we're thrilled to be working with Little Free Library.

Greig Metzger, executive director of Little Free Library, said, "It is a pleasure to be collaborating with Penguin Random House and the All Ways Black community to push back against book restrictions that are much too widespread in our country." We are especially worried about the effect these prohibitions have on writers of color. Little Free Library was founded on the principle that everybody, no matter where they live, should be able to get their hands on an uplifting book. Taking part in the All Ways Black movement is something we're happy to do.

Each Little Free Library features a curated collection of books, some of which have been banned or challenged, alongside other classics and recent releases from the world of Black literature. Books like Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde, Goodnight Racism by Ibram X. Kendi, and Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin are among the many titles included. The cypher is the first event of an exciting year of All Ways Black programming. On March 3rd, Black authors, content producers, and their adoring followers will gather on Instagram for the second annual All Ways Black Awards. Get the cypher, find out about the awards, and connect with the All Ways Black community by following on Instagram.