The Newsletter
BANNED is a bookish newsletter where words like diversity, equity and inclusion are our love language. This newsletter is a combination of my dedication to pursuing racial justice, my commitment to learning (especially through books), and my own writing journey as a Black woman in the Midwest.
The Patreon Group
Anti-racism is for everybody—but no one said it would be easy. The Troublemakers are made of everyday folks who are committed to the pursuit of anti-racism and social justice. Once a month we meet virtually to offer share how we are making trouble in our own little corners of the country with hard won hope and a level of joy that is hard to describe until you’ve been there. Hosted by Austin Channing Brown, New York Times bestselling author, renowned speaker, and amateur bird-watcher, and Jenny Booth Potter, author, activist, and lamp enthusiast, our group recognizes that we need each other. If you feel hopeful and bitter, excited and cynical, joyful and exhausted—you belong here. Let's feel all of these emotions together while we embody our hope for a better world.
Writing Workshop (in person)
There is a voice inside your heart that only you can hear. Whenever you sit down to write, that voice rises to meet you. It chooses words, reaches for phrases, and creates meaning. The more you write, the more you learn to recognize your inside voice. And that's when the fun begins. When you learn to listen to that voice, embrace that voice you can create entire worlds that never existed before you set pen to paper. I want to help you honor your inside voice. Every fourth Tuesday from 6:00-7:30pm (except December) we'll meet at Booksweet to hone our craft together. Each workshop focuses on a different element of writing, and are stand alone. So you don't have to attend the first one to understand the second one. Register with Booksweet.
Discussion Guides
There is a lot to unpack in Austin’s books. Now you dont have to wade into the themes of her writing alone. Gather your friends, small group, book club or classroom and use these discussion guides to learn more about one another… and yourself. The discussion guide for Im Still Here also has corresponding videos which you can access on youtube HERE.
Ready to ask The Next Question?
In 2019 Austin, along with her friends Chi Chi Okwu and Jenny Booth Potter, started an interview web series called The Next Question. The three women interviewed today’s thought leaders, writers and artists on racial justice in America, seeking to move beyond easy platitudes and simple answers. Dive into the complexities of education, abolition, activism and more. Watch the entire series here.
The Archives
Before her books. there were her blogs. If you would like to visit Austin’s archives of writing, please click here.