Who We Are

our history

Reese’s Reading Roundtable is now in its twenty-eighth year as a book discussion group. Our meetings are scheduled bi-monthly (third Saturdays) and are held at the Theodore D. Young Community Center, 32 Manhattan Ave., White Plains, New York.

This reading roundtable was formed in the Yonkers District Office of Westchester County’s Department of Social Services in 1998 and was originally named “The Alexander Readers” simply using the name of the street on which the District Office was located.

The founding members were social workers with an interest in both literature and a wish to raise their levels of consciousness about the social issues impacting their lives, the lives of their clients, and their community. The group quickly developed into a cohesive unit whose mission became and remains the promotion and support of the works of authors of color.

This discussion group has evolved over the years adopting along the way the current name “Reese’s Reading Roundtable” in honor of a member, Dr. Traci Belton-Reese, whose efforts and enthusiasm helped to keep the group viable, focused, and alive.

The Theodore D. Young Community Center has embraced this reading roundtable for the past twenty-five years, and it is our policy to return this support by sponsoring either an annual community event or making a financial contribution to one of the Center’s social programs.

Reese’s members enjoy sharing their thoughts and opinions about the books that are read and never fail to celebrate these meetings with good food.

We feel blessed and know you will too when you join us.

we are More Than just a book club

Some of the things that Reese’s Reading Roundtable has done over the years in additon to discussing books:

  • Since the Theodore D. Young Community Center has let us use the center at no charge, we give back by making an annual donation. 
  • Reese’s members have participated in the Breast Cancer Walk at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY. 
  • To encourage youth (grades K-12) to use their writing skills, Reese’s Roundtable sponsored a well-received poetry contest at the Theodore D. Young Community Center. 
  • Reese’s sponsored a celebratory event, open to the community, in honor of Sindiwe Magona as she prepared to return to South Africa. 
  • Stephanie Marrero-Bond, author of “Flower the Butterfly,” treated children & adults at the Theodore D. Young Community Center to a reading and book signing. 
  • Reese’s Reading Roundtable presented a workshop on publishing for novice writers with author Brenda L. Thomas. 
  • As part of an open discussion on domestic violence, Reese’s Roundtable co-sponsored the “Domestic Violence Awareness Conference.”  Author Brenda L. Thomas gave insight into her own personal experience via her book ”Laying Down My Burdens.” 
  • Reese’s Roundtable co-sponsored a “Healthy Personal Relationships for Teens” workshop, which included discussions on dating violence, legal issues and community resources. 
  • Members of Reese’s were able to interview Dr. Cornel West, courtesy of winning this prize in a contest.  
  • Reese’s Roundtable was the proud recipient of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award, presented by Rev. Gerald Washington in Port Chester, NY.  
  • We changed the discussion to a panel after reading “The Middle Passage” by Charles Johnson. The panel included Professor Ron Brown of Westchester Community College and Dr. Teresa Murphy of Lehman College, who shared their collective research in African-American history and the Middle Passage. 
  • Reese’s Roundtable was honored by Bethesda Baptist Church in Port Chester, NY for its longevity and dedication to literature.
  • Attended international music festivals at Caramoor in Katonah, NY. 
  • Visited the Philipse Manor Hall in Yonkers, NY for a tour of their Slavery exhibit, then dined at Lejends Restaurant
  • Attended the Harlem Book Fair on several occasions.
  • When we discussed The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander, our special guests were the Port Chester-Rye Branch of the NAACP and Port Chester area residents. We gathered at the Carver Community Center in Port Chester, N.Y. The Honorable Gregory Adams of the Port Chester Village Board of Trustees joined us for a lively political discussion regarding our national political landscape and the sensitive criminal justice issues.
  • One year we celebrated Kwanzaa with an all-you-can-eat party at the Theodore D. Young Community Center catered by “Avenue J’s Catering,” James Belcher owner and operator.
  • Attended the BARR–Black Author & Readers Rock at the Harborside Hotel in Oxon Hill, MD.
  • We went to see the movie Just Mercy as a group because we had read the book.
  • Several of our members visited the JP Morgan Library & Museum in New York, NY to see the Belle da Costa Greene exhibit because we had read The Personal Librarian.
  • We have dined at the following establishments to celebrate Kwanzaa, or just for an afternoon or evening out together:
    Londel’s Supper Club in Harlem, NY; The Harlem Tea Room in Harlem, NY; Billie’s Black Bar, Lounge & Restaurant, New York, NY; Yvonne’s Southern Cuisine Restaurant in Pelham, NY; Alvin & Friends Restaurant in New Rochelle, NY; Euro-Asian Bistro in Port Chester, NY; Havana Central Restaurant in Yonkers, NY; Capatosta’s Restaurant in Elmsford, NY; Don Coqui in White Plains, NY; Buffalo Wings, Rye Brook, NY; Buon Amici in White Plains, NY; Jazz Forum Arts Club in Tarrytown, NY; Hudson Social in Dobbs Ferry, NY; The Sailhouse in Tarrytown, NY.