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

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

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”