One of our founding members will be giving a reading at the August 20th Chicago launch of BGD’s new book, “The Solidarity Struggle: How People of Color Succeed and Fail At Showing Up For Each Other In the Fight For Freedom.” Kelly Hayes, a long-time organizer and direct action trainer, worked on the book, both as a writer and contributing editor. Kelly will be reading from her piece about one of our collective’s early blockade actions — one that we believe expressed our dreams and aspirations as Black and Brown co-organizers, fighting together to get free.

The event will also highlight the artistic contributions of Vicko Alvarez, of the For The People Artists Collective, whose work is also featured in the book. Other speakers will include Black Lives Matter Chicago co-founder Aislinn Pulley and Village Leadership Academy principal Nakisha Hobbs.

BGD’s description of the book:

“Writers, activists and artists of color share their visions for, and struggles with, solidarity at the intersections of PoC identity in “The Solidarity Struggle”. How can we as Black, Indigenous and people of color, show up for each other?  How are we succeeding and failing at that? Is there any hope for real solidarity between us? If not, what does that mean for us? If so, what will it take?

Featuring Black Lives Matter organization co-founder Patrisse Cullors; trangender activist CeCe McDonald; activist and organizer Jennicet Gutiérrez; writer Ngọc Loan Trần; Lifted Voices co-founder Kelly Hayes; comic artist Ethan Parker; and more.”

We are so excited to be joining in the celebration of this important book. We hope to see you August 20 at Volumes Bookcafe at 7pm!

(Volumes Cafe is located at 1474 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, 60622. Drinks will be available for purchase at the cafe’s bar.)