Founded in 2020 as a Community Project by Ypsilanti Community Organizer, Kallista Marie.
A goal of Our Community Reads is to replace the negative, traumatic stories that Black children see and experience growing up.
Reading in Community, OCR’s Monthly Silent Book Club
Our Community Reads Silent Book Club
November 17 & December 15 •
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Peace HUB — 1515 S. Harris, Ypsilanti
Sometimes the most beautiful thing you can give yourself is a quiet moment, a good book, and a little community. Our Community Reads invites you to our monthly Silent Book Club, a cozy, judgment-free space where adults can simply be.
There’s no assigned reading, no pressure, no expectations. Just bring a book you love (or one you’ve been meaning to start), settle in, and enjoy dedicated time to read alongside others who appreciate the simple joy of turning pages.
Here’s how it works:
✨ We gather, greet, and connect for a few minutes
✨ Everyone finds a comfortable spot
✨ We read quietly together
✨ We wrap up with light conversation, reflection, or simply a peaceful goodbye
Feel free to bring a friend, your favorite snacks, your favorite tea, a little honey, and your favorite mug—I will have a pot of hot water ready for everyone.
Whether you’re looking to build a reading habit, meet new people, or take a break from the busyness of life, this space is for you.
You deserve it.
Upcoming Events
Want to join us for our next community event? Check out our schedule so you can add the events to your calendar.
Featured Stories
Jeana Austin
My Hair is Magic
Justin Harper
Let The Children March
Roshanda Mitchell
All Are Welcome
Gregory Anglin
Brown Boy Brown Boy What Could You Be?
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Queens Club resting and learning during their 2025 Transformational Fieldtrip to Boston, MA. This site is the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial.
Queens Club pause for a quick photo, after a day of walking and exploring in Boston, MA during their 2025 fieldtrip.
Queens at Harvard University
Art on Harvard University's campus. A moment in time with one of our Queens at the Alain Locke Gallery.
Historical exploration beyond the classroom is a highlight of our young scholars fieldtrips. Boston is home to The Embrace sculpture that honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and Coretta Scott King. Queens in Boston, MA 2025.
Our Queens and Pharaohs enjoy our monthly Topaze Community Reading Circle. They welcome family members and trusted community members during our 4o minutes of group reading during our monthly Royal Sunday programming.
Our Queens and Pharaohs learned a few things about cars with Mr. Zion Horton and they might be able to do tune ups soon.
Our Queens and Pharaohs learned a few things about cars with Mr. Zion Horton and they might be able to do tune ups soon.
The Topaze Community Reading Circle Book Table!
Sa'Naura, one of our Queens Club members smiles with Youth Arts Alliance's Chinelo Onuigbo during the Summer of HeART snack and storytime at the Ypsilanti District Library. Sa'Naura was one of our amazing teen readers.
One of our Pharaohs' Club members, Jeremiah, participated in our storytime and snack time during the summer of 2025 in collaboration with Youth Arts Alliance Summer of HeART at the Ypsilanti District Library.
Bryan Johnson shares a bit of joy while reading a picture book at the Our Community Reads and Black Men Read FUNdraiser Books and Brews BnB Playdate in collaboration with DjZu, Buff1 and Mash.
Books and Brews BnB Playdate at Mash in Ypsilanti. A FUNdraiser for Our Community Reads and Black Men Read which is a lovely escape from adulting that includes storytime with children's picture books, Open Mic style, music and games. Such a great collaboration with Dj Zu and Buff1.
A full house at the Ypsilanti District Library for the Youth Arts Alliance Summer of HeART storytime and snack with Our Community Reads.
A visit to the Ypsilanti District Library on Whittaker Rd was our first stop during our 1st summer collaboration with Educate Youth for our Buses and Books 6 week literacy program. We visited five libraries, read "Patina" by Jason Reynolds, got a little lost and found our way on the AATA bus service. A great adventure.
The Pharaohs Club enjoyed their 1st Annual Transformational Fieldtrip in June of 2025 to Atlanta, GA and Montgomery, AL. Here they visited the Martin and Coretta Scott King Memorial during their tour with Atlanta's Roundabout Tour Company.
Pharaohs Club enjoyed some great sight seeing during our Atlanta Black History & Civil Rights Tour with Roundabout Tours. The tour included a stop at the Tyler Perry Studio.
Our Pharaohs Club explored, read, and definately played during their trip to Montgomery, AL. We met such kind people and had a race on Tuskegee University's football field.
A bit of nature at the Atlanta Botanical Garden during the Pharaohs visit to Georgia.
Dreams do come true. Earth Goddess is an amazing site at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, a must see during the Pharaohs Club visit.
Our Community Reads loves removing barriers to literacy and book accessibility. We now have three free book bins throughout the Ypsilanti area. Stop by the In and Out on Share, Avenue Market on Michigan Ave, and RP Fuel at 445 S Huron. Stop in, grab a book and enjoy!
