Noname’s Book Club

Noname’s Book Club began in the summer of 2019 with a simple tweet from Chicago rapper and activist Noname, sharing the book she was reading at the time. What started as a personal quest for community and understanding quickly blossomed into a powerful collective dedicated to uplifting Black voices and radical literature. Noname wanted a space where people could come together, break down complex political ideas, and find solidarity through reading.

From its roots in Chicago, the club has grown into a global movement with over 20 chapters across the United States, Europe, and Africa. It connects Black readers both inside and outside prison walls, sending books to around 1,500 incarcerated members and launching chapters in places like Nairobi and Lagos. Noname’s vision was clear: to create a “radical McDonald’s,” a place where every Black neighborhood could have a little library and a community of readers.

The club’s monthly picks focus on books by Black authors that explore themes of social justice, identity, and liberation. But it’s more than just about reading—it’s about healing, education, and reclaiming narratives. Noname’s presence is grounded and humble, making the club feel inclusive rather than hierarchical. Discussions flow freely, whether in intimate circles or online forums, inviting everyone to arrive as they are, even if they don’t know everything.

Noname’s Book Club stands as a testament to the power of literature to bridge divides, foster community, and inspire change. It’s a space where the wounds of history are acknowledged and where Black readers across the diaspora find connection, hope, and empowerment through the written word.

[1] https://nonamebooks.com/Monthly-Picks
[2] https://nonamebooks.com
[3] https://www.instagram.com/nonamereads/
[4] https://rep.club/collections/noname
[5] https://libguides.utsa.edu/fiction/noname
[6] https://www.okayafrica.com/noname-book-club-black-diaspora/
[7] https://chpl.org/blogs/post/nonames-book-club/
[8] https://hplct.libguides.com/hplbookclubs/nonamesbookclub