Black in the Stacks: Where the Culture is Kept

Marquita D. Gooch, MLIS | Black Culture Advocate, DJ, Black Librarian
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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.

  1. Sep 29

    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   Shop Pod Merch

  2. Sep 10

    Saddle Up and Read! Literacy & Legacy Farm Life with The Black Cowgirl, Caitlin Gooch

    On this episode of Black in the Stacks, we’re digging into a story about heritage, literacy, and the incredible impact of showing up for your community. Known to many around the world, including Oprah Winfrey, as the Black Cowgirl my guest today is Caitlin Gooch, and if you’re wondering if we are related, we haven’t gotten there yet but the likelihood is high. Caitlin is the driving force behind the non-profit Saddle Up and Read. Based in North Carolina, this brilliant organization is tackling the childhood reading gap by doing something completely unexpected: bringing kids together with her horses so they can read to them. She’s taking the deep cowboy and rodeo roots passed down by her father and using that unique energy to inspire the next generation of readers. In this episode, we’re talking about what happens when you combine cultural preservation with community care, how the calming presence of a 1,000-pound animal can break down a child's reading anxiety, and how honoring your family roots can spark a movement.   ATTEND THE TRAIL RIDE - September 12, 2026 Register Here: https://ogfestgsa.eventbrite.com/   CONNECT WITH CAITLIN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblackcowgirl Threads: https://www.threads.com/@theblackcowgirl Web: https://www.theblackcowgirl.com/   SUPPORT SADDLE UP AND READ Learn More: https://www.saddleupandread.org Donate: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-saddle-up-and-read

  3. Sep 4

    The Geography of Becoming: Leaving the Blueprint Behind with Ebony Walden

    Back in 2010, Ebony Walden was a city planner who looked at her life and decided to trade the blueprint for a blank page. She spent eight months backpacking across 15 countries and 5 continents. She didn't just pack a bag and cross borders; she stepped into a new journey where she didn't just find the world, she also found herself.   On this episode of Black in the Stacks, Ebony and I discuss what it really means to leave a predictable career behind, why every major life transition starts with the simple act of quitting what no longer serves you, and how stepping into the unknown opens up entirely new spaces for personal growth.   Today, Ebony is an author, filmmaker, and creator. Her upcoming memoir, "Where I’m From: A Poetic Journey Across Five Continents", isn't just about a passport full of stamps. It’s an invitation to drop the armor, risk the unknown, and discover and love different cultures not as a digital aesthetic, but in the raw and beautiful truth of the present moment.   Merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlackInTheStacks   CONNECT WITH EBONY Web: https://ebonywalden.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebonywalden80/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@ebonywalden80 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ebony.aroundtheworld Click here to watch “Black Beyond Borders”

  4. Aug 25

    Playing Along and Talking Back: Embodied Brilliance Beyond Moral Limits in Sport

    When society looks at athletic giants like Marshawn Lynch, Steph Curry, or Deion Sanders, it loves to reduce them to a single script: the 'beast' to be feared, managed, or objectified. On this episode of Black in the Stacks, I sit down with Dr. Gary F. Green,II, a former college athlete turned author, to look at how these iconic figures frustrate those racist cultural boxes. We talk about womanist theological ethics, embodied spirituality, and how athletes can break free from moralized frameworks to reclaim their true physical agency.  Dr. Green shares insights from his journey across sports, the Black church, and higher education and how he incorporated what he learned from Black stand-up comedians to break down these heavy dynamics in his book, “Playing the Game: Embodied Brilliance Beyond the Moral Limits of Race in Sport.” The book also examines everything from the double-edged sword of athletic tropes to the revolutionary power of play. Dr. Green is a professor, consultant, and a curator of conversations that expose hierarchies of power that play out in plain sight. He is also the designer and founding director of Racial Intelligence Systems at United Theological Seminary, a three-tiered reconditioning program designed to develop racial acumen among the faculty, staff, and students.   CONNECT WITH DR. GREEN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drgreenideas/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@drgreenideas Web: https://www.greenideasconsulting.com/about Book: https://www.fortresspress.com/store/product/9798889833581/Playing-the-Game

  5. Aug 18

    "Mr. Billy's" Next Chapter: Building a Library for the Culture and Community

    What happens when that tired old storytime at the library gets all the way turnt up? Billy Allen is what happens. An award-winning librarian, community leader, and innovator, Mr. Billy, as he's known online, carved his own path by bridging hip-hop instrumentals while reading and sometimes rapping popular children’s books, to make a one of a kind experience no library had ever seen. Often imitated but never duplicated, Billy has taken the library world by storm using his passion for inspiring lifelong learning to redefine what a library can be for the next generation.  As Manager of the newly built NoMa Library in Wilmington, Delaware, Billy is leading the vision of a modern “Think. Do. Hub.”— a library that blends technology, entrepreneurship, workforce development, creativity, and community engagement. He has built a national reputation for making libraries exciting, relevant, and impactful through social media, strategic partnerships, and innovative programming.  FOLLOW MR. BILLY! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3kingvisions/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@3kingvisions TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@3kingvisions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/3kingvisions/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@3kingvisions

  6. Aug 11

    Demystifying Book Marketing: An Inside Look with Literary Agent R’Chelle Lynn

    On this episode of Black in the Stacks, we’re sitting down with literary agent and mastermind behind Highly Lit, R’Chelle Lynn. She’s in the business of helping authors—especially authors and creators of color—ditch the hustle burnout, build brand longevity, and turn complex stories into visual gold. R'Chelle is a former English teacher turned brand strategist with a deep-rooted love for books and the business behind them. She’s passionate about helping authors map their careers and build sustainable careers while navigating their publishing pathways and positioning themselves for traditional publishing success. With a background bridging education, marketing, and storytelling, she brings a rare combination of creative insight and strategic thinking to the author space. A passionate book content creator and developmental editing student, she's committed to growing a platform where authors don't just write, they thrive.   Connect with R'Chelle https://www.instagram.com/rchellelynn/ https://www.threads.com/@rchellelynn  https://rchellelynn.substack.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@rchellereadsalot

  7. Jun 19

    Getting to Carefree: Anayo Awuzie on Building a Global Community for Black Women’s Stories

    Black in the Stacks is back!! On this episode, I chat with Anayo Auwzie, the brilliant mind behind Carefree Magazine, a digital platform that is both a mirror and a window into the lives of Black Women across the diaspora, sharing stories of life, love, adventure and everything in between. We also discuss how Anayo is turning her platform into a physical coffee table book called "Black Women in Bloom." The book features 30 essays from women sharing their compelling stories, including one from Anayo herself. Anayo Awuzie is the founder and editor-in-chief of Carefree Magazine, a digital platform that publishes personal essays by Black women around the world—exploring the in-between spaces of Black womanhood where healing, identity, and everyday life unfold. Anayo Awuzie is the founder and editor-in-chief of Carefree Magazine, a slow storytelling platform publishing personal essays by Black women around the world—exploring the in-between spaces of Black womanhood where healing, identity, and everyday life unfold. You can pre-order "Black Women in Bloom" by visiting www.carefreemag.com/book. To learn more about Black in the Stacks and purchase merch, visit www.blackinthestacks.com.

  8. Apr 3

    Beyond Pigment: Finding a Friend Like Me in a World of Difference with Author Megan Cauthen

    What happens when the stories we read fail to reflect the skin we live in? On this episode of Black in the Stacks: Where the Culture is Kept, we explore the vital necessity of representation in literacy and the journey of navigating the world with a rare condition. Marquita chats with Megan Cauthen, the founder of The Golden Impact and author of the children's book Nellie & Ollie: A Friend Like Me. Megan shares her firsthand perspective on growing up with albinism and how her personal history inspired her to write for the next generation. We discuss: -The transition from lived experience to the written word. -Why diverse characters are essential for childhood development. -The reality of life with albinism and the power of reclaiming your own narrative. Megan believes that our differences are our greatest strengths. This conversation is an honest look at how we can use storytelling to foster confidence and intentional growth.   Click to View Pod Merch   📲 Be sure to follow Megan on one or ALL of her social media platforms below for updates on the release of her book: FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HdcnehcpS/?mibextid=wwXIfr IG: https://www.instagram.com/the_golden_impact_?igsh=bzNneGU5YjkzbDR6&utm_source=qr TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@megan.cauthen?_r=1&_t=ZP-953Hav1nRS2

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Marquita D. Gooch, MLIS | Black Culture Advocate, DJ, Black Librarian
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Black in the Stacks: Where the Culture is Kept