One Book, One Community 2021

Jason Reynolds
Author Jason Reynolds will lead a virtual book talk on Feb. 22.

William & Mary Libraries and Williamsburg Regional Library (WRL) present One Book, One Community, an initiative that brings together readers in Williamsburg, James City County, York County and William & Mary for a shared reading experience.

The selection for this year's program is national bestseller Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. The book shines a light on the many insidious forms of racist ideas--and on ways readers can identify and stamp out racist thoughts in their daily lives. Swem Library and Williamsburg Regional Library have multiple copies of the book available for check-out, as well as the e-book. 

The 2021 program will include book clubs, lectures, and other activities, and will culminate in a virtual book talk with author Jason Reynolds.

W&M Libraries encourages readers to join together (virtually) to discuss the book's themes and topics. The publisher has released a helpful educator's guide for teachers to use with their student readers and a book club guide containing discussion questions for community book clubs. 

One Book One Community schedule of events: 

Upcoming events:

Self Care: Healing Racist Wounds

Wednesday, February 24, 7 p.m. 

  • Beyond the obvious effects of racism is an underlying reality — people affected by the stress of racism show signs of post-traumatic stress disorder. Join Amanda Lynch, a trauma informed specialist, to learn ways to cope, and resources to help with self-healing. Zoom information.

Community Resources for Racial Reconciliation

Thursday, February 25, 7 p.m.

  • Organizations around the region are working towards racial justice, reconciliation, and progress towards an anti-racist society. Join us to hear about their approaches and how to get involved. Zoom information.

Past events: 

Signature Event — Virtual Author Visit: Jason Reynolds

Monday, February 22, 7 p.m.

  • Jason Reynolds is the New York Times bestselling author of poetry and fiction for young adults. In addition to his Newbery, Printz, and Edgar Awards, he was named as the Library of Congress’ national ambassador for young people’s literature in January 2020. Dr. Ibram X. Kendri thought him the perfect person to “remix” his book, Stamped From the Beginning, to reach a wider audience. After years of coaxing, Reynolds finally agreed, creating an “impressive and much-needed” book that draws a line from the first European slave traders to today’s Black Lives Matter movement. Registration not required.
  • Watch the recording of the talk. It will be available through March 8.

Learning about Racial Trauma

Wednesday, January 13, 2 p.m.

  • Led by presenter Chloe Edwards, we will dive into history and peel back the comfortable and utterly uncomfortable layers of our individual and collective experience, to expose the fallacies that contribute to racial trauma that oppressed communities endure and rise above today. You’ll be part of the conversation, so bring your questions and observations. This program contains some images of violence, which we will alert you to.

  • Watch the recording.Stamped book cover

A Dialogue on Race with Barbara Hamm Lee

Wednesday, January 27, 7 p.m.

  • Barbara Hamm Lee is familiar to Hampton Roads listeners as host and executive producer of WHRO’s Another View. She will moderate an open discussion about race and racism, its history in our region and its current effects. Participants are encouraged to join the conversation with their own ideas and questions.

  • Watch the recording.

How to Talk to Your Kids About Race

Thursday, February 4, 7 p.m.

  • Learn conversation starters and strategies to help families have meaningful conversations about race with Professor Natoya Haskins, W&M's School of Education. Dr. Haskins will be joined by Dr. Janise Parker, W&M assistant professor of school psychology, and PhD students Unity Walker and Aiesha Lee.

  • Watch the recording.

A Thousand Words: The Fight Against Racist Imagery

February 17, 7 p.m.

  • Steve Prince will take participants on a historical journey examining the power of racist imagery upon the psyche of America and the world. He will reveal how artists have historically resisted racist imagery by raising awareness, challenging, and creating new and more equitable narratives of diversity. Prince is the director of engagement & distinguished artist in residence at William & Mary's Muscarelle Museum of Art. 
  • Watch the recording.

Book Discussions

Hosted by W&M Libraries:

  • W&M students book discussion: February 15, 4 p.m.
    • Led by Natalie Rue '20 and Loni Wright '21
  • Community book discussion: February 18, 2 p.m.
    • Led by Abbey Childs and Alex Flores

Hosted by WRL: 

  • Community Book Discussion: February 10, 7 p.m.
  • Turning Pages Book Discussion: February 16, 7 p.m.
  • Teen Book Discussion: February 18, 7 p.m.

Suggested Reading from Williamsburg Regional Library