The Center’s Antiracism Group is the brainchild of Terri Mork Speirs, former Director of Community Relations at the Center. Sparked by the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in 2020, Speirs issued an antiracism statement of solidarity with the Black community on the Center’s website home page. 

Through a series of synchronicities, she and Billie Wade partnered to create the group. Speirs’s courageous action and the Center’s commitment to supporting the Black community are significant beacons for other individuals and organizations. 

Facilitator: Billie Wade 

Mondays, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Virtual via Zoom 

Weekly, starting June 2, 2025

Cost: FREE, however, each participant is responsible for getting a copy of the book on their own, whether audiobook, purchase, or public library.

Registration is required for security purposes.

Contact Billie Wade at [email protected]. Include your name, email address, and telephone number. In the Subject line, enter Antiracism Group Registration. You will then be added to the email list to receive the Zoom link and other information. Your name and contact information will not be shared with anyone. Announcements and information are emailed using blind carbon. Note: Do not share the Zoom link with anyone.

Persons whose names are not on the email list will not be granted admittance. People who have registered in the past and are already on the email list do not need to re-register.

Discussion:

Book: “James” by Percival Everett

A brilliant reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn—both harrowing and satirical—told from the enslaved Jim’s point of view.

When Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he runs away until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck has faked his own death to escape his violent father. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond.

Where can you find the book?

Available at Beaverdale Books in Urbandale, Iowa. You will receive a 10% discount if you tell them you are a part of Billie Wade’s antiracism group. If they are out of copies, they can order it for you and have it within a few days.

Also available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Thriftbooks

---

We discuss books in five to six-week segments. Our discussions are popcorn style. There is a 2-3 week interval between books. We also discuss relevant articles, podcasts, videos, movies, and documentaries; some directly related to the book we are reading. Participants are encouraged to suggest books or other reading materials and topics.

There is no homework or other expectations at the Center’s Antiracism Group. All are welcome.