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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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.

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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.

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