Ep. #12 The Power of Books | Roxanne Coady

In this episode of the NILC Freedom to Thrive podcast, host Victoria Ballesteros speaks with Roxanne Coady, founder of R.J. Julia Booksellers and Read to Grow. Roxanne shares her journey and the role that literature has played in her life. Her love for books, fostered by her father, a Hungarian immigrant baker, not only shaped her life but also inspired her to open a bookstore that serves as a community refuge and a hub for civil conversation.

The conversation touches on the transformative power of books in awakening societal consciousness and driving social justice movements. Roxanne discusses her family's immigrant experience, the value of storytelling, and how books can act as a powerful medium to build empathy and understanding. The episode also delves into the current anti-immigrant sentiment and the importance of maintaining spaces for open dialogue through literature.