Book Club Run of Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry

Run with Read & Run Chicago guide and Black Girls Read Book Club founder Cynthia Okechukwu on a five-mile journey through Bronzeville honoring the life and legacy of Pulitzer Prize–winning poet Gwendolyn Brooks, often called the “Oracle of Bronzeville."

Along the way, you’ll visit places where Brooks lived, worked, and shaped Chicago’s South Side in the mid-1900s, as well as landmarks that inspired her writing about Black urban life and nurtured artists of the Black Chicago Renaissance.

The run concludes with light bites and a post-run conversation.

As with all Book Club Runs, we strongly recommend you read prior to attending. Sites along our route will be connected to poems featured in Selected Poems. Grab a copy from your local library branch or purchase from your favorite indie bookstore or online here on our Bookshop.org affilate page.

ARRIVE: Arrive at the Hall Branch of the Chicago Public Library between 1:45pm-2:00pm to check in and get your name tag.

ROUTE: Our easy-paced (11:00-12:00 minute/mile) five-mile run features various stops.

POST-RUN: After the route, we'll discuss back at the library branch.

INCLEMENT WEATHER PLAN: If it becomes unsafe to run outside, we will hold a modified version of the event at 2pm. You will be notified via email no later than 12pm on Sunday, October 19 if there are any changes to the event.

All ticket holders will receive reminder emails and details 2 days and 4 hours prior to the event.

Cynthia Okechukwu: Cynthia (she/her) is the founder and organizer of Black Girls Read Book Club. A lawyer by day, history buff, and Uptown transplant, Cynthia enjoys reading and learning more about this city that she has called home for nearly a decade.

Read & Run Chicago is the flagship chapter of Read & Run Tours, LLC—the nation’s first and only organization hosting running events inspired by books. Founded in 2021 by queer educator, writer, and runner Allison Yates, our mission is simple: to use movement and stories to explore place. Our community-centered programming includes running tours, book club runs, author talks, and other literary-themed fun runs—all inspired by books set in our cities and written by local authors. Along the way, we champion literacy initiatives, public libraries, independent bookstores, and the writers who bring our communities to life. In Chicago, we’ve hosted nearly 120 events featuring 30+ authors and local experts. Our work has been highlighted by CNN, Runner’s World, Midwest Living, NBC’s Chicago Today, FOX32 Good Day Chicago, WGN Radio, Block Club Chicago, and more. More information at readandrunchicago.com, Instagram, and Facebook. guide

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Hall Branch, Chicago Public Library, 4801 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, United States