What began as a childhood love of reading has grown into a digital movement reshaping how Black women read, recommend, and reclaim the literary landscape.
Tiffany Richardson, a Houston native with deep Louisiana roots, is one of the driving forces behind Black Girls Read TOO, a Facebook-based reading community that has grown from just 1,700 members to nearly 200,000 readers nationwide.
Along the way, Richardson has helped challenge one of publishing’s most persistent stereotypes – that Black readers only consume one type of story.
“We really want to promote and get more exposure for Black authors in all genres,” Richardson said. “It’s important to show the full range of what we read and who we are.”
From lifelong reader to literary architect
Richardson said she has loved reading since she was about five years old, often walking to the bus stop with her nose buried in a book.
“It was a way to go into an imaginary world,” she said. “Not necessarily to escape, I had a really good childhood, but I’ve always loved reading.”
That passion eventually led her to Black Girls Read TOO, where she was an active member before being asked to step into a leadership role.
“Christy (the founder) reached out to me and asked if I would come on as an admin,” Richardson said. “Once I got in there, I just started doing events to help grow the group and engage the group.”
Those efforts helped transform the platform into a powerful engine for reader engagement and author visibility.
The power of nearly 200,000 readers
Today, Black Girls Read TOO functions as both a reading community and a disruptor in the publishing ecosystem. The platform hosts twice-monthly book club discussions featuring Black authors across genres, as well as a monthly 48-hour read-a-thon held the first weekend of every month.
“It’s 48 hours just to unplug and read the stuff on our never-ending TBR list,” Richardson said.
Book selections are intentionally varied, she said, mixing trending titles with works by lesser-known authors.
“Sometimes I’ll pick books people are already talking about,” Richardson said. “And sometimes I pick authors people may not have ever heard of, just to get them that exposure. Two hundred thousand people having their eyes on your book — that’s a big deal.”
That influence extends beyond the group itself. Richardson said other book clubs and influencers often watch Black Girls Read TOO’s selections and share them elsewhere, helping boost sales and visibility for Black authors.
“Sometimes marketing is just word of mouth,” she said.
Breaking genre barriers
A key part of Richardson’s mission is expanding how Black readers — particularly Black women — see themselves reflected in literature. She is especially passionate about horror and thrillers, genres where Black voices have historically been marginalized.
“There’s this idea that we only read one kind of book. That’s just not true.”
Tiffany Richardson
“There’s this idea that we only read one kind of book,” Richardson said. “That’s just not true.”
Inside the community, members freely share everything from literary classics to speculative fiction, helping normalize Black presence in “darker” narratives and genre storytelling.
Richardson’s own reading tastes reflect that range, from literary giants like Zora Neale Hurston and James Baldwin to contemporary authors such as Jacquel Jaye. One of her favorite recent reads, Harlem Rhapsody, was even selected for the group’s book club.
“She actually joined us last year,” Richardson said. “She was so sweet. So nice.”
The best-friend blueprint
That same spirit of collaboration also shapes Big Black Chapters, a literary partnership Richardson co-founded with a close friend. Built on trust and shared values, the platform underscores Richardson’s belief that sustainable literary activism is rooted in partnership, not competition.
At the heart of both spaces is intentional community care.
“My goal is for it to be a safe space for Black women,” Richardson said. “A safe space for readers. And a place where we can amplify Black authors.”
Members frequently echo that sentiment, she said.
“People tell us all the time, ‘This is my favorite group,’” Richardson said. “Some say it’s the only reason they’re still on Facebook.”
Houston roots, Louisiana soul
Born in Houston and raised in Haughton, Louisiana, Richardson said her Southern upbringing influences how she builds community — with warmth, accountability, and a deep sense of connection. She returned to the Houston area as a child and later graduated from Elkins High School.
Her commitment to literacy also extends beyond social media. Richardson is currently earning her bachelor’s degree in teaching, a required step toward her long-term goal of becoming a librarian.
“That’s the end goal,” she said.
Building Black joy, one book at a time
In a digital era often marked by division, Richardson has helped cultivate a space centered on curiosity, affirmation, and joy. Through Black Girls Read TOO, thousands of Black women discover new authors, challenge limiting narratives, and see themselves reflected across the full spectrum of storytelling.
Readers can learn more through the official Black Girls Read TOO Facebook page, where updates, reading challenges, and book club announcements are shared.
Nearly 200,000 readers later, Richardson’s vision is clear: Black stories belong everywhere — and Black women deserve spaces where their love of reading is fully seen and celebrated.
