Sistahs & Stories

Since we're shifting our date to avoid Father's Day, let’s wrap up the month with a "sweet" summer romance!

We’re heading to Decadent Coffee and Dessert Bar in Maple Lawn to discuss Seven Days in June by Tia Williams.
This New York Times bestseller follows two writers who spent one intense week in love as teenagers and reunite 15 years later. It’s a witty, steamy, and deeply moving story about second chances, chronic pain, and the power of Black love.

The Details:

• Book: Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
• Location: Decadent Coffee and Dessert Bar, Maple Lawn
• Date/Time: Sunday, June 28th @ 2:00 PM

Important Note on RSVPs: Decadent is a cozy spot! Please RSVP as soon as possible so I can get a headcount. Since they are a dessert bar, this is a great low-pressure meeting to enjoy some treats while we chat.

Start the Conversation! Are you a coffee, tea, or "just give me the dessert" person?

This July, we’re gathered at Mad Chef Kitchen & Bar to unwrap a family mystery. We’re discussing the New York Times bestseller Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson.

The story begins with a traditional Caribbean black cake left in a freezer and a voice recording that changes everything two siblings thought they knew about their mother. From the 1960s Caribbean to modern-day California, this is a sweeping saga about identity, hidden pasts, and the recipes that connect us across generations. It’s the perfect book for a long, deep discussion over a great meal.

The Details:

• Book: Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
• Location: Mad Chef Kitchen & Bar, Ellicott City
• Date/Time: Sunday, July 19th @ 2:00 PM

Important Note on RSVPs: Mad Chef is a popular local gem! Please RSVP as soon as possible so I can secure a table for our group. Getting a headcount early ensures we’re all seated together for a great afternoon.

RSVP Prompt: If you had to leave behind one family recipe that tells the "true story" of where you come from, what would it be?

As we head into the heat of August, we’re cooling off at Toastique in Columbia to discuss the lush, multi-generational story Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo.

This novel follows the Marte women—a family with secret "graces" or magical gifts—as they gather for a living wake. It’s a beautiful, complicated exploration of sisterhood, the secrets we keep to protect those we love, and the legacies we inherit. If you’ve ever wondered how your family history shaped the woman you are today, this book will give us so much to talk about.

The Details:

• Book: Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo
• Location: Toastique, Columbia (Mango Tree Rd)
• Date/Time: Sunday, August 16th @ 2:00 PM

Important Note on RSVPs: Toastique is a bright, airy spot known for its gourmet toasts and bowls. Please RSVP as soon as possible so I can get a headcount. It’s a great, healthy spot for a Sunday afternoon recharge!

Start a Conversation! Are you a "Gourmet Toast" fan or more of a "Smoothie Bowl" person?

For our September meeting, we’re heading back to Bus Boys & Poets to discuss a truly epic story. The Seven Daughters of Dupree follows seven generations of women as they navigate a family "curse," hidden identities, and the powerful bonds that tie them together from the 1860s to the present day.

This is a "big" book with a lot of moving parts—perfect for a deep-dive conversation. Come ready to talk about legacy, the secrets our grandmothers kept, and the strength of the women who came before us.

The Details:

• Book: The Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise Williams
• Location: Bus Boys & Poets, Columbia
• Date/Time: Sunday, September 20th @ 2:00 PM

Important Note on RSVPs: Bus Boy & Poets is always a popular choice! Please RSVP as soon as possible. They do not take reservations so I will try to grab a table. They typically require the full party to be present to be seated, so let’s aim to be prompt.

Start the Conversation! If you could sit down for brunch with any woman from your family’s past (a great-grandmother, etc.), what is the #1 question you’d ask her?