Latina Literary Activist Joanna G. Is Changing the Way We Gather Around Books
Joanna G. never set out to start a movement. She just wanted to share books she loved. But somewhere between the café meetups, banned book panels, and teary-eyed testimonials, something shifted. What began as a grassroots Instagram page grew into something bigger: a community. Latina Reader + Creator is now a cultural force that spans cities, generations, and genres. And its creator, Joanna, has quietly become one of the most compelling Latina literary activists working today.
When the community tells you, ‘You built something special’
According to Joanna, it wasn’t a viral moment or celebrity shoutout that made her realize Latina Reader + Creator had taken root. It was a quiet conversation.
“The moment I had members come up to me and express how they felt belonging, welcomed, and that I had built ‘something special’ is the moment I realized this wasn’t just a personal project anymore,” she said. That feedback made her mission clear. People were connecting deeply to each other, to the books, and to something larger than themselves.
Why this Latina Literary Activist centers joy over industry validation
Book culture often feels gatekept by institutions, publishers, and critics. But Joanna sees something different when stories reach the right hands.
“There’s still so much we have to fight for as Latine readers and creators,” she told FIERCE. “But when these stories meet their readers, I see true and absolute joy.”
That joy looks like late-night discussions, crying over shared memories, or the relief of finally feeling seen. “We always come back around to saying ‘this is why we love gathering with other readers,’” she said.
Her events feel like home, and that’s not by accident
From cafés to bookstores to parks, Joanna is intentional about the spaces she chooses.
“There’s something special about gathering in spaces rooted locally,” she explained. She works with small businesses that she trusts. That way, each gathering feels grounded in connection, collaboration, and community support.
As she put it, “The setting always adds meaning.”
Censorship has only made her mission more urgent
Book bans are rising, especially in communities of color. For Joanna, this isn’t new. It’s just another form of erasure Latine communities have always resisted.
But she’s clear: “Protecting our joy is part of the resistance.”
When she feels discouraged, she thinks about the impact of representation. “Even when the story is lighthearted and fun, I’m overwhelmed by the power of representation,” she said. “Whether the book is serious or lighthearted, I cry every time because I feel the impact of feeling seen every single time.”
What this Latina Literary Activist wants little girls to see
Joanna told FIERCE that if a little girl walked into one of her meetups, she would want her to witness more than a book circle.
“I’d want her to see how powerful it is to be in a space where women and readers from all walks of life come together to share, laugh, and support each other,” she said.
She hopes young readers see that community is something you can build from scratch. “Joy, friendship, and belonging are always worth creating, and she can be the one to spark it.”
This movement is about healing, one book at a time
Joanna isn’t chasing algorithms or bestseller lists. She’s building safe, joyful spaces for Latine readers to feel seen, heard, and connected. Her gatherings are acts of cultural resilience, her book recs a form of care work.
Because for Joanna, this work goes far beyond literature. It’s about belonging. And she’s not waiting for permission to create it.
