The Reparations Club Hosts Book Event: “Gather Me” with Glory Edim and Mara Brock Akil

by Taylor Marie Contarino

On November 6th, passionate book enthusiasts gathered at Reparations Club to enjoy an inspirational event with literary tastemaker Glory Edim and acclaimed producer-writer Mara Brock Akil.

Participants gathered to discuss Edim’s new, inspiring memoir and ode to the power of books, “Gather Me: A Memoir in Praise of the Books That Saved Me.” Edim was joined in conversation with trailblazing screenwriter, showrunner, and producer Mara Brock Akil, who moderated a vulnerable conversation on art, literature, self-discovery, and meaning.

Bass fellows attended the event, which began with a “collective breath” as a response to the events of the day, followed by a Q&A and an intimate book signing. Bass student Laura Walton (who is studying Urban Planning at USC Price) reflected on Edim's journey described: 

“In her book, she states that it is a culmination of a lot of samples of original texts that have been woven together to be instructional for her…. Forming as a person and also breaking through a lot of barriers that are put up against women.”

Glory Edim signs copies of “Gather Me” for attendees.

“Gather Me” is an inspiring memoir of family, community, and resilience, as well as a love letter to the power of books. It explores books' ability to help generations understand their minds, thoughts, and themselves to make sense of the world around them. 

Edim, a writer, creative, and thinker in her own right, grew up in Virginia to Nigerian immigrant parents. At age thirty, she went on to start Well-Read Black Girl, the popular book club that grew immensely and eventually developed into a community reaching half a million readers. Edim’s distinct love and passion for books stretch immensely far, all the way back to her childhood.

When Edim was a child, her father moved back to Nigeria, which marked the start of a series of painful and traumatic changes and losses for herself and her family. Books and constant education became safe spaces and escapes for her — where she found solace, community, and sometimes even solitude.

For Clifford, a Bass Fellow studying economics at USC, his biggest takeaway from Edim’s book is her reflections on parenting, especially as a child of immigrants. Clifford said:

 “That line that she drew…writing for the person, and writing to yourself…”

In “Gather Me,” she talks about how she wants her son to understand her; she doesn’t want to be closed off. She is intentional in her parenting about revealing her true self to her son, even though historical trauma and pain experienced by her family may have prevented them from having the same empathy in her upbringing.

The cover of “Gather Me” is adorned with family photos.

Edim is inspired by Black writers like Nikki Giovanni, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, and Audre Lorde. In this book, she recounts how her beloved inspirations and so many others have helped teach her to find her own unique, individual voice. “Gather Me” is a loving testament to the power of representation in books, literature, and media, lending their hands to enable self-discovery and, consequently, self-love.

The book talk was hosted by and held at the Reparations Club, also known as ‘Rep Club,’ a self-proclaimed “concept bookshop and an all-around creative space, curated by Blackness in Los Angeles.”  The Black, queer, and woman-owned space has become known as an essential hub for thought leaders, storytellers, and community, known for its warmth, dedicated staff, and curation of Black and BIPOC titles.

The organization was founded by Jazzi McGilbert, a creative force born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, CA. It first opened in 2019 and has since collaborated with Well-Read Black Girl, Noname's Book Club, The Stacks, the California African American Museum, Cuties LA, Melody Ehsani, Nike, Beyoncé, and many more. The organization has also been featured in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, LAist, and more.

A book shelf at The Reparations Club displays a variety of works.

Glory Edim is a literary tastemaker, entrepreneur, and an advocate for diverse voices in literature. In 2015, she founded her organization, Well-Read Black Girl (WRBG), an online platform and book club dedicated to celebrating the works of Black women authors and creating a supportive online community for readers. WRBG has grown into a nonprofit organization, hosting events, book festivals, and author conversations that highlight the richness and diversity of Black literature. She has contributed to the literary landscape with her bestselling anthologies, “Well-Read Black Girl: Finding Our Stories,” “Discovering Ourselves,” and “On Girlhood: 15 Stories from the Well-Read Black Girl Library”.

Mara Brock Akil is a highly acclaimed screenwriter, showrunner, producer, and director who has written and produced over 400 television episodes, making a tremendous impact on Hollywood. She is the creator of “Girlfriends,” a witty and honest exploration of the multifaceted nature of Black womanhood, and the spin-off series “The Game” and many others. In 2020, she signed a deal with Netflix to produce television shows exclusively for the streaming platform under her company, Story27 Productions, where she continues to expand her accomplished legacy, lifting up voices along the way.