Real Testimonials
from Reparative Reading Attendees

"Branden's book club achieved the rarest of all book club feats: a thought-provoking book discussed with an open and sharing group of strangers/neighbors. Through the conversations, questions, and space that Branden shepherded us through, I gained new understandings of others' experiences and perspectives, and of my own."

"I found the sessions I attended to be insightful and , inspiring. Branden did a wonderful job as the moderator."

"The book club was very engaging and fun. With a book such as The 1619 Project, the prospect of holding a club for it can seem like a daunting task since it's so dense but the conversations flowed naturally and that's in large part to Branden's facilitation skills."

"People who participated and shared, i learned a lot from. Branden is a natural in facilitating these conversations and every meeting was very engaging. Thank you for creating such space, it makes me feel part of a community."

"It was really special. I’m already looking forward to future book clubs Branden organizes."

"The dialogue was so open, diverse, challenging, thoughtful, and inspiring. Branden did such a great job of making everyone feel welcome and heard, and creating a safe space for us strangers to come together. I also appreciated how Branden encouraged us to think critically about the work and our relationship to it, fostering thoughtful discussions. I'm excited for more book clubs!"

" I appreciate her capacity to bring in referential materials both textual, journalistic, and anecdotal. She is an inheritor and vessel of the particular wisdom accrued through generations of black life and for that she is an invaluable keeper of memory, history, and capacity for love. This is the thing that has struck me most about Branden—she really does make room for the breadth of blackness and its variousness. I never feel judged or alienated. I feel so welcomed by her presence and her patience."

"The other attendees were open to different perspectives and contributing some of the most mind-blowing thinking (I’m talking serious gems that had me nodding and then thinking about it days later) Branden was such a thoughtful moderator – stoking the fire when needed, pushing us on assumptions, connecting our different threads, and encouraging people to show up as however they were that day."

"Under Branden's leadership, I've witnessed an ability to reshape simple discussions into transformative spaces. Besides leading conversations, Janese introduced ways to explore personal histories, introduced narrative prompts, and has creatively cultivated participation from attendees."