Danielle Tyas is Building Community One Book at a Time with 'Word2Dae'

Are you the type of person who says that they are going to start reading, but never get the chance to do so? Was reading more books on your vision board for this year and you’ve just been so busy with life that you haven’t made it past the first chapter? Well, Danielle Tyas has created a safe space for you to cross this off of your bucket list for 2024 - and beyond - with her South Central book club, Word2Dae. 

Created on the basis of fostering community, amplifying storytelling through literature, exchanging knowledge, and to give Black voices and authors a platform, this book club is a reflection of Tyas’ personal values and love for reading. 

Born in South Central, Los Angeles - specifically, the Crenshaw district - her love for reading began at a young age. Her mother loved to read and ensured that Tyas and her sister made frequent visits to the bookstore where they would pick out books that caught their eyes.

“My mom also made an effort in the home to read to me and my sister,” she recalled. “She’d keep lots of books like Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey around or other humorous children's stories and completely turned into an animated narrator that kept me and my sister laughing as she’d read. So as a kid, it was more so being familiar with a lot of children’s fiction, but it wasn't until I was in my teens and now twenties when I honed in on what kind of books I resonated with and truly grew a personal love for reading on my own.”

She describes her childhood as a time where she was immersed in the arts, and was consistently involved in extracurricular activities such as musical theater and dance. She enjoyed being part of the arts and culture within her community and valued learning from those who came from the same background as her, who were also dedicated to pouring into the next generation.

“This is something that followed me into the present work that I do, which is dedicated towards offering something to my own community and to people that look like me,” she emphasized. 

Word2Dae was inspired by her passion for reading and her desire to share it on social media. She wanted her Instagram to be modeled as a blog, but not as formal as a traditional book club that we’re used to. Around the time of the launch, she got discouraged from expressing her love for literature on her personal Instagram account because her engagement would be low when she would post about books, opposed to when she would post an appealing outfit or materialistic items. 

“From then on I was challenged with finding creative ways to get people interested in books and reading the same way that I am, and just have committed to seeing the challenge through since,” Tyas reflected.

The title ‘Word2Dae’ came from Tyas’ creative personality. It is a double entendre, tying into the phrase “word to” and “Dae” which is a family nickname. Since she is the source of this curation, it is a nod to herself. Another way she thinks of it is as giving people their “word” everyday when she shares photos of book pages that have a resonating message.

Anyone interested in joining, can join. Word2Dae has a significantly diverse presence welcoming all communities of people. Many of the members are Black, which reflects the population of where her book club is centered - the inner city of Los Angeles.

“When I host in person events I’m always amazed to see how a room full of Black, Latinx, White, Asian, and other races and ethnicities of people spanning different ages, gender and sexualities share space in one room and genuinely connect despite backgrounds,” she expressed. “Word2Dae really has brought people together. It’s beautiful to me, and one of my favorite things about organizing this club.”

So far, members have read Dyamond in the Rough by Dyme Taylor, The Hip Hop Wars by Tricia Rose, Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler, Black Earth Wisdom by Leah Penniman, Rest Is Resistance by Tricia Hersey, and Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler.

If you plan on attending one of her book club meetups, be prepared for insightful discussion. She shares that Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower sparked valuable discussion. Around the time members were reading the book, she had coordinated an in-person album listening session and book discussion. Marvin Gaye’s 1971 album, What’s Going On was played and the songs connected towards various themes and premonitions that are written in Butler’s book.

“Since both the book and album were made quite a while ago, it was interesting to talk about how many problems that were reflected in those works are actually present today despite how many years it's been since Marvin Gaye and Octavia Butler separately brought them up,” she said. “During our listening session and discussion, Issues such as climate change, homelessness, poverty and even gang violence arose in a very diverse room of people. Everyone listened to each other and there were many things we all learned from one another.”

Giving Black voices a platform is something that is very important to her. Whether it’s her directly reaching out to authors of the books they read to curate speaking engagements, to creating panel discussions with notable Black community members who span across various industries, or reading books written by Black authors, she is committed to showcase and promote the Black voice. She also noted that the Black voice is everyday people as well, such as the members of her club. She makes a continuous effort to note that when you come into her space, everyone will have a place to speak and be heard. She has also created open mic sessions where guests have come out to recite poems or perform their own music.

She is very proud of the work she has put into bringing a community of people together that shares the same love for reading as she does. In the future, she hopes to partner with publishers and bookstores. 

Interested in joining or want to connect Tyas? Follow Word2Dae on Instagram, subscribing to her email list, and joining the club’s group chat.