Black Lives Matter and Diversity – A Message from The Reader
'It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.'
Audre Lorde, poet
The Reader stands in solidarity with all those who have suffered from systemic racism, social injustice and violence.
Our work is based on the belief that all great literature can provide points of connection for diverse groups of people. We recognise that we have a part to play in bringing about the social change that is needed now to make a new world.
The events of the last few weeks have given a new urgency to the work on diversity that we have been aware was needed for some time. We are trying, or on our way to trying, to learn to think and work in new ways so that we can accelerate the changes we need to make.
Like other organisations, we know that, in the longer term, this will mean making some changes to address both our understanding and practice. We are committed to taking this action and to involving all of our community in this work – our employees, volunteers, customers, trustees and partners.
Greater diversity enriches and strengthens cultures. In the light of recent events, our immediate focus will be to look critically at the range of literary texts that we curate and use in our Shared Reading groups to ensure that it reflects the perspectives of diverse people with diverse experience.
We know we have more to do and that we have to work harder. We know there will be difficult – and often uncomfortable – conversations ahead, and so – just as we do in Shared Reading – we will use the powerful language of literature to help us to deepen our understanding of the changes we need to make.
Share
Related Articles

Meet Reading Heroes Volunteer, Colin ‘Reading Heroes opened up the world of graphic novels…the kids and I would spend time joyfully hamming up our performances’
The UK’s largest Shared Reading charity is celebrating its amazing team of volunteers throughout June inspired by Volunteers’ Week 2025, Monday…

We cannot just tell parents to read more. To truly improve children’s futures through reading, we need to properly support the adults around them to do so.
Responding to the Department of Education's announcement that 2026 will be a Year of Reading, The Reader's Managing Director Jemma…

Invitation to Tender: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Development Partner
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Development Partner The Reader is focused on embracing digital technology by developing new products and new ways…