A collage of photos from an outdoor multicultural gathering in a park, featuring groups of smiling people, some holding artwork and books, and others seated or standing, all enjoying a sunny day.

New York City's literary home
for the African diaspora

We bring readers, writers, and creatives together through book discussions, cultural events, and community at Black-owned venues across the city.

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What is Lit City?

Lit City Book Club is a New York City community built around the literature, stories, and voices of the African diaspora. We are Brooklyn-based and our doors are open to readers across the five boroughs and beyond. Every other month we gather to read, discuss, and celebrate at Black-owned spots that reflect who we are and where we come from. Lit City Book Club is a program of Lit City Foundation NYC Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to arts, literacy, and cultural programming for the African diaspora.

Who we are

Looking for a book club in NYC?

Lit City Book Club gathers every other month at Black-owned venues across New York City. We are one of the few book clubs in NYC created specifically by and for the African diaspora. Whether you are in Bed-Stuy, Crown Heights, Harlem, or the Bronx, you are welcome here. No membership fees. No pressure to finish the book. Just good conversation and community.

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Three people sitting on a blanket under trees, one reading a book, snacks and drinks scattered around.
People gathered in a cozy bookstore or cafe, sitting on chairs and couches, engaged in conversations, with shelves of books and warm lighting creating an inviting atmosphere.
People gathered around a table browsing and holding various books in an indoor setting.
Two women sitting at a small wooden table in a cozy bookstore or library, holding glasses of white wine and smiling at the camera. Behind them are wooden bookshelves filled with various books.
Three people, two women and one man, standing in a bookstore aisle, smiling and talking, with bookshelves filled with books behind them.
Group of diverse young adults sitting on blankets and chairs outdoors at a park during daytime, attending a book club event with a sign reading 'Lit City Book Club' in the background.
A group of ten diverse people gathered in a bookstore, smiling for the photo. They are standing and kneeling in front of bookshelves filled with colorful books.

Upcoming Events

Events
June Book Discussion: Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi
Jun 24
June Book Discussion: Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi
Event Page

Past Lit City Reads

A red book titled 'Homegoing' by Yaa Gyasi, with an illustration of a woman and a girl's faces in profile, on a bookshelf with other books in the background.

Jan 2025

March 2025

Cover of the novel 'The Nickel Boys' by Colson Whitehead featuring black silhouettes of two boys standing on a shadowed ground, with a red background and gold circle indicating the Pulitzer Prize win.
A paperback book titled 'Luster: a novel' by Raven Leilani, lying on green grass, with a yellow vertical banner on the right side and a quote at the top.

May 2025

July 2025

Cover of the book 'Perival Everett JAMES' with award and review stickers on the cover, placed on grass.
The cover of the book titled 'The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store' held up in front of a storefront window with bright sunlight creating a glare.

Feb 2026

Oct 2025

Close-up of a yellow book titled 'Chain Saw All-Stars' on a wooden table. The cover features a graphic design with colorful flames or branches and two award badges indicating it was a finalist for a national book award. A quote from Stephen King is visible on the cover.
Cover of a book titled "The Secret Lives of Church Ladies" by Deesha Philyaw, featuring a woman with dark curly hair, wearing a white polka dot shirt, red bow tie, and gold jewelry, sitting against a wooden background. The cover has a quote about being "tender, fierce, proudly black, and beautiful," and a silver badge indicating it was a finalist for the National Book Award.

April 2026

June 2026

A book titled "Freshwater" by Akwaeke Emezi is placed against the trunk of a tree, surrounded by green grass.