About this Event
We invite you to join us as we host the upcoming Meet Up & Read Up, a community literacy initiative created by Dr. Shanté Holley that invites people to put down their phones, pick up a book, and spend time reading together.
There’s no assigned book, no required reading, and no pressure. All are invited to bring whatever you’re currently reading, find a comfortable spot, and settle in alongside fellow readers for an evening of collective reading and connection.
The evening will include dedicated silent reading time, with opportunities to pause, connect, and talk with other readers. Whether you’re an avid reader, trying to rebuild the habit, or simply looking for a reason to spend an evening offline and in community, you are welcome.
Guests are also invited to experience the 1976: In Retrospect Listening Hours session with Duane Powell, taking place concurrently in A Listening Space. Feel free to bring seating, blankets, and other cozy items to settle in. Homecourt Collective will serve complimentary seasonal beverages throughout the program.
Please note, alcoholic beverages and outside food are not permitted in The Land School's designated reading area for this program.
Reserve your free spot and join us in reading at The Land School.
Banner Photo: Sulyiman Stokes
About Dr. Shante Holley
Dr. Shanté Holley is a writer, professor, cultural scholar, and creator of Meet Up & Read Up, a free community literacy movement built around connection, curiosity, and camaraderie.
Launched in Chicago in summer 2026, Meet Up & Read Up brings people together in public and community spaces to unplug, read their own books, and reconnect through shared time and conversation. More than 600 readers participated in the movement’s first three gatherings.
Dr. Holley’s broader work explores literacy, healing, and what it means to build a fuller life beyond survival. She is also the author of the forthcoming Whole in Your Heart: Healing for the Generation That “Turned Out Fine” (Penguin Random House).
About The Land School
The Land School, a new pedagogical platform at the site of the former St. Laurence Elementary School, proposes a radical model of artistic experimentation and archival stewardship, providing space, time, access, collaborative inquiry, process-driven programming, and performance, all led by an intergenerational cohort of artists, archivists, scholars, craftspeople, cultural workers, and creative organizations invested in culture as a service.
The Land School's Policies and Protocol:
Upon arrival, please enter the building at the entrance on S. Dorchester Ave.
Ride sharing is encouraged as parking is limited. Please be sure to not block the entrances and exits of our neighbors.
Firearms on the premises are strictly prohibited.
No smoking, vaping or incense is permitted inside.
No pets are allowed inside.
No professional photo/video equipment is allowed unless preapproved by Rebuild.
Please be mindful of your neighbors by respecting their personal space and bodily autonomy.
No violence - verbal or physical - will be tolerated. Any guest creating an unsafe environment will be removed from the premises immediately, at the discretion of the Rebuild staff.
We take the safety of our guests seriously. If any guest is found violating these protocols, they may be escorted off the property immediately and will not be welcome to return.
Notice of Photography and Videography
By entering The Land School, you acknowledge and consent to being photographed and/or videotaped. Images and recordings may be used for promotional, archival, or other purposes by the organizers. If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please notify a staff member upon arrival. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Thank you for reviewing and honoring The Land School's policies and protocol.
We look forward to welcoming you!
Event venue & nearby stays
The Land School, 7200 South Dorchester Avenue, Chicago, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.