Citywide Book Read

For the sixth year in a row, Jim Somerville and David Bailey are challenging the citizens of Richmond to a Citywide Book Read during Black History Month.  In early March, they will host a panel discussion and invite the city to take part.

This year’s book is Black Fortunes, by Shomari Wills: the story of the first six African Americans who escaped slavery and became millionaires.  Previous books have been The Color of Law (2018), Just Mercy (2019), White Fragility (2020), Caste (2021), and The Color of Compromise (2022).

While previous books have examined the profound barriers to racial equity in America, Black Fortunes examines the lives of six people who climbed over, dug under, or smashed through those barriers. While their stories illustrate the difficulty of their accomplishments, they do not dwell on them. These are success stories, and maybe the perfect, heartwarming “read” during the frigid days of February.

Black Fortunes is available at Amazon.com, at other bookshops across the area, or free on Hoopla as an audio or e-book.

On Monday evening, March 6, at 7 p.m., a discussion led by author Shomari Wills will be held in the fellowship hall of Richmond’s First Baptist Church. No reservations are required.  Free parking is available in the Mulberry and Robinson Street lots.

#BlackFortunesRVA