If you live in America you are wounded by racism, no matter who you are

A series of book launch events are planned in Brooklyn for "Healing Our Collective Wound: Racial Literacy and the Church"

By Rachel Anderson, Neighbor

Sep 2, 2026 4:32 PM EDT

This post was contributed by a community member.

Joni Schwartz-Chanet is the author of ealing Our Collective Wound: Racial Literacy and the Church. (Courtesy Joni Schwartz-Chaney)

If you live in America you are wounded by racism, no matter who you are; and City University of New York Professor Joni Shwartz-Chaney's latest book homes in on the role of the church in historic and contemporary racism.

A series of book launch events are planned in Brooklyn for Healing Our Collective Wound: Racial Literacy and the Church.

The first event takes place on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at Cafe Lakay, which is located at 3323 Avenue I. Scholars and writers K. Sealey, Avril DeJesus and poet Marvin Wade will join the author in launching her book. The event is free and open to the public, and begins at 6:30 p.m.

Schwartz-Chaney is also participating in the Brookyln Book Festival Market, which takes place on September 27, 2026, in Downtown Brooklyn., Booth #133 9:30 – 6 p.m.

A third Brooklyn event is planned on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at Cafe con Libros – 7 p.m., which is located at 724 Prospect Place, Brooklyn, NY 11216. Following the author's presentation and a discussion, guests will have the opportunity to meet the author and purchase signed copies of the book.

And finally, she will be at Taylor & Co. Books – October 28 at 7 p.m. taylorcobooks.com/

About the Book

Healing the Collective Wound explores the power of healing, justice, and collective transformation through critical reflection, community, and faith.

About the Author

Joni Schwartz-Chaney is a Professor of Humanities at the City University of New York–LaGuardia Community College and teaches in the graduate program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. A critical researcher and social activist scholar, she is the author of Healing Our Collective Wound: Racial Literacy and the Church (2026), Critical Faith: What It Is, What It Isn't, & Why It Matters (2024), Gifts from the Dark: Learning from the Incarceration Experience (2021) and Learning to Disclose: A Journey of Transracial Adoption (2020).

More information about the Joni Schwartz-Chaney's work can be found on her author website: JoniSchwartzChaney.com

The book cover image for "Healing Our Colllective Wound." (Courtesy Cascade Books)

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