Black in the Stacks: Where the Culture is Kept is a celebratory, vocal anthology of the best of the best in librarianship, literature, advocacy, authors, filmmakers, storytellers and MORE from the Black diaspora.
Publisher
Marquita D. Gooch, MLIS | Black Culture Advocate, DJ, Black Librarian
Sisterhood, Scandals, & Stories: Inside Sheryl Lister's New Novel, “All My Sisters and Me”
Sheryl Lister knows what it means to be a true book lover. On this episode of Black in the Stacks, I sit down with Sheryl to discuss her journey from healthcare to writing, the reality of traditional publishing, and the inspiration behind her latest hit novel, All My Sisters and Me. Whether you’re looking for a heartwarming family drama, brilliant character growth, or a tissue-worthy journey of forgiveness, this episode will have you running to your local indie bookstore or library to grab a copy!
20 Oct 2026
From Unconventional Starts to Library Vanguard: The Story of Richard Ashby, Jr.
Ordained from the start, Richard Ashby, Jr.’s librarian journey is far from typical. What sounds like the plot of a Ryan Coogler film, Richard’s life is one of intrigue, happenstance and faith. From growing up in Queens, New York, a short stint as a private investigator on the west coast, to taking on a history-making role, you could say he’s done it all and then some. But, Richard is far from finished.
On this episode of Black in the Stacks, we laugh—a lot—but we also discuss some profoundly real life lessons about resilience, community, his passion for making a difference in people’s lives and what it actually means to hold it down in the stacks for the culture.
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Pennsylvania Library Association
HBCU Connect Article
29 Sept 2026
Rooted in 112 Years: Lola DeWitt on Shaping the Next Century of Library Leadership
Have you ever wondered what happens when a 112-year-old library system decides to boldly rewrite its future? On this episode of Black in the Stacks, I chat with Lola DeWitt, the groundbreaking Executive Director of Live Oak Public Libraries. As the first African American and one of only a handful of women to lead this massive 14-branch system, Lola is redefining what a modern public library can be.
From making Live Oak the very first Book Sanctuary system in the state of Georgia, to transforming a historic Carnegie branch into a vibrant hub for Black Savannah and Gullah Geechee culture, she is fighting tooth and nail for the freedom to read. Tune in as we talk about legacy, community care, and why the library remains our most radical democratic space.
LEARN MORE ABOUT LIVE OAK
Web: https://www.liveoakpl.org/home
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveoakpl
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveoakpl
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@liveoakpl
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Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 8 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
3
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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