MDPLS’ Social Services in Libraries Committee initiated the monthly Stronger Together virtual antiracism book club to guide participants in the active and consistent practice of identifying and eliminating racism in response to the civil unrest and Black Lives Matter protests of May 2020 throughout Miami and globally. Recent events made it evident that Library programming could address institutionalized societal racism and become central to the work of its dismantlement by serving as a safe place for discussion and action.

MDPLS’ Stronger Together re-situates the library as a true place for dialogue and idea exchange in the community, and a space for new and marginalized voices to be heard and amplified. Stronger Together programs meet virtually once a month to discuss diverse readings and presentations with changemakers who offer local perspectives on the BIPOC experience, promote antiracist institutional culture and inform practices to challenge the systemic racism negatively impacting Miami-Dade’s BIPOC communities.

Stronger Together program’s measurable successes are: Curation of locally significant readings with a connection to the Miami-Dade Community; Feedback from attendees such as Professor Gene Tinnie, Chair of the Virginia Key Park Trust, for a “truly welcome and significant asset to the community”; Important new partnerships with scholars, historians, authors, Black and Native American activists and climate/environmental justice leaders working to enhance engagement of BIPOC communities; Total of over 160 participants