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It’s Time to Talk About Dallas’ History

Welcome to Big D Reads ’22, a community-wide reading program modeled on the widely acclaimed community book club created in 2013. As in years past, Big D Reads partners will distribute a single title and facilitate roundtables and panels, produce community events, and hold public gatherings. We will donate books to schools, book clubs, libraries, hospitals, corporate DREI divisions, young professional and leadership organizations, nonprofits, and at other locations throughout the city.

What:

Our Big D Reads ’22 selection, The Accommodation, by Jim Schutze, tells the mid-century history of Dallas, centered on the civic response to the bombing of Black citizens’ homes, and the ongoing housing crisis that traces its roots to the Civil War and Jim Crow.

Why:

The goal of a city-wide read of Jim Schutze' The Accommodation — recently reissued by Deep Vellum with a new forward written by John Wiley Price — is to advance the understanding of Dallas’ history among students, young professionals, leaders, and residents, while encouraging candid community conversations on how we create a more equitable future for our city. 

How:

Join us for a city-wide read! Big D Reads is a volunteer-led community initiative presented by Amazon in partnership with Communities Foundation of Texas, D Magazine Partners, nonprofit publisher Deep Vellum, and 50+ other community partners and sponsors.

With the business and philanthropic community’s support, Big D Reads is putting 30,000 complimentary paperback copies of Jim Schutze’ recently re-released book The Accommodation into the hands of community members to have meaningful discussions about race and place and the future of our community during September 2022. Check our our reader guides here - including editions for businesses, schools, and universities, and join us for upcoming events.

We see this as a movement to unite our city in this critical time and hope that these conversations, events, and programs will serve as launching points that lead to a more equitable future for all communities in Dallas.

You:

We’d love you to be a supporting member of Big D Reads ’22. Enter your name and email address above and we will keep you updated on programming and how to connect your business or group to the Big D Read’s experience. Read with us!

We’d also love your organization’s sponsorship support to help make Big D Reads a reality! Check out the available opportunities here and fill out our form above to connect with us!