Episode 100: A Landmark Celebration of Black Stories, Voices, and Legacy

Black Market Reads, the podcast produced by the Givens Foundation for African American Literature, proudly announces the release of its 100th episode, marking a decade of conversations with Black authors and artists whose work shapes the cultural landscape of Minnesota and beyond. Hosted by Lissa Jones, the 100th episode is an expansive, deeply moving celebration …

Valerie Burns’ Latest: A Cozy Mystery to Crave

Lissa Jones and Valerie Burns, smiling and holding up copies of Icing on the Murder.

 "Every time I looked at the dress, a cold hand squeezed my heart and a tear dropped from my eye. Eventually, the flood of tears was too great to stop". Madison Montgomery(Valerie Burns, author) Valerie (V.M.) Burns is an acclaimed mystery writer. the author of the Baker Street Mystery, Mystery Bookshop, Dog Club, RJ Franklin, and Bailey the Bloodhound Mysteries. …

From Resistance to Resilience – Dr. Luke Wood

African American literature is more than stories, poems, and novels. It's a living testament of our ability to endure, to resist, and to thrive in environments that weren't designed for us. From the narratives of enslaved people to the bold voices of the Black Arts movement, our literature has been a mirror of pain, a map of how to navigate the challenges that we face. and a megaphone of our power."

Dr. Gail C. Christopher’s Guide to Racial Healing

“We must remember that racism is not just an ideology; it is a disease. And racial healing is the medicine.” -Gail C. Christopher Framed by a personal narrative detailing Dr. Gail C. Christopher's commitment to help our nation to jettison the false belief in a racial hierarchy, Rx Racial Healing: A Guide to Embracing Our Humanity, …

Lisa Williamson Rosenberg Explores Race and Family in Mirror Me

Four zoom squares. In upper left corner Lissa Jones in studio at iDream.tv. In upper right iDream.tv logo image of mountains and eclipse. In lower right corner author Lisa Williamson Rosenberg. Lissa and Lisa are holding up copies of book Mirror Me.

 “Mirror Me is an exquisitely rendered meditation on race, family, and memory. With stylish prose and tender storytelling, Williamson Rosenberg explores what it means to have your identity divided at the root and ultimately answers the question we all have about where we truly belong.” Nancy Johnson, author of The Kindest Lie Lisa Williamson Rosenberg is the author of Mirror Me …