The Group now formally known as Soul Passages: A Book Club, had its genesis in a gathering convened by Priscilla Green in the living room of her home on September 20, 1992. Ms. Green, who had just read author Terri McMillan’s then newest novel, “Waiting to Exhale,” was so completely taken by the believability of its characters, their life situations and the social relevance of the story, that she felt compelled to call together her contemporaries to encourage them to discuss their thoughts about this work, which was a catalyst for a new literary renaissance in African-America.

The meeting was filled to capacity by an eclectic group of men and women, who had come by invitation, word of mouth and in response to the ever-present drum beat, that remains an important form of communication among children of the African Diaspora. Attendees were asked to bring themselves, goodwill, good conversation, their copies of “Waiting to Exhale,” and a dish made from scratch, so that the group could dine together after what would be a lively discussion.

The success of that first meeting was overwhelming to the extent that those in attendance expressed an interest in continuing to meet. A sign up sheet was hastily crafted and distributed and the group has continued to meet every other month since then. It has developed into a forum for literary pursuit, exchange of ideas and information and has truly become the apex for social interaction for a group of individuals that have, in many ways, become family. Dining together after the book review has remained a hallmark of the organization. The practice of bringing a dish made from scratch, in particular a green vegetable, has become a goal that many group members strive to achieve (some harder than others). The sumptuous meal has become a group signature.

Soul Passages is hardly a local organization. While it originated in and is based in Greater Hartford, its members come from all over Connecticut and it has had, at various times, representation from Massachusetts and New York. Still an eclectic group, the members are professionals, entrepreneurs, working and retired people. Politically, the members range from liberal to there is no gray area conservative, democrat and republican. Members represent a variety of life experiences and a diversity of age, as well.

The group experienced a period of dramatic growth during the later 1990s. Growing interest in reading and a renewed desire to support black authors, served as magnets for many in our community, who just a few short years before were too focused on work and other responsibilities to devote very much if any time to literature. The group began to get exposure in the media, became the topic of discussion in the social and professional milieus of its members and became increasingly more popular. As it evolved, the informal association called, very simply, The Reading Group, began to recognize a need to become more structured and multi-focused, if for no other reason, to assure that the basic purpose of meeting in the first place, was preserved.

In 1996, the group added a new dimension to its cultural repertoire and began inviting authors to its meetings to lead the discussion of their work. The first guest author was Ginger Whitaker of Hartford, Connecticut, who led the discussion of her first novel, “The Dowry.” In 1997, the group was particularly blessed to have been able to meet the youngest of the Harlem Renaissance authors, Dorothy West, author of “The Wedding,” before her home-going. Other guest authors include Brian Keith Jackson, Bari-Ellen Roberts, Okey Ndibe and Bernice McFadden. At its Tenth Anniversary the group will host Martha Southgate, author of "The Fall of Rome."

In 1997, the membership determined that meetings away from the demands imposed by obligations to work, family, in some cases spouses and other diversions, would be beneficial to the group and its individual members. After much discussion, the group decided to establish an annual retreat, the site of which should meet some specific criteria. The retreat should take place at a black owned and operated venue, it should be at a place that is culturally relevant or it should be at a site that has some historical significance in African-America. The first retreat, which took place at Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, met several of the qualifying characteristics.

By the early 1900s, Oak Bluffs on the island of Martha’s Vineyard had become the summer home to many, among the talented tenth, in the African-American community. The stories of doctors, lawyers, undertakers and their families are lore, as are the descriptions of lively parties and days of sunning and swimming at the Ink Well; the name that locals used among themselves to describe the beach that they frequented. A committee of the book club selected the Shearer Cottages on Martha’s Vineyard headquarters for the first retreat.

The Shearer Cottages were established in 1912 by Charles Shearer, a former slave and graduate of Hampton Institute, at his family’s comfortable, 12-room summer home at what was then called Cottage City. The inn catered to African-Americans, who were not welcome (even when they had the means) at other lodging places on the island. Managed by Mr. Shearer’s daughters, Lily and Sadie, under his guidance, the Shearer Cottages became well known for fine food and warm hospitality.

The book club’s annual retreat rapidly became an anticipated event, but not without some difficulty. In 1998, a near law suit derailed a trip to the Catskills but was settled when a resort owner who had refused to return the group’s deposit, relented and returned the funds three days before the scheduled court action. The owner had double booked and would not honor the group’s plans. The group also attended other activities, such as the Harlem Book Fair, plays such as “Bailey’s Café”, from the novel of the same name by Gloria Naylor and lectures presented by authors. There were visits to the Bahamas and Block Island. On April 3, 1999, Priscilla Green and Ronny Knight appeared on public access television to discuss “My Soul To Keep” by Tananarive Due, which also contributed to increased visibility for Soul Passages.

In 1997, the group adopted a name following an exhaustive process that spawned several suggestions, much discussion and some chagrin. Soul Passages: A Book Club, the tome offered by Gwendolyn Williams, evokes a fitting description of what the group is, what it’s about and who makes up its membership.

Today, Soul Passages has 33 members, although more than 120 people have been associated with the organization over the last ten years. It continues its mission of encouraging reading, forward thinking and promotion of the works of black authors. It has sought to enhance its value in the community by developing several outreach activities. Soul Passages has purchased books for a prison ministry founded by the late Reverend Colin Bennett, contributed to the Community Renewal Team of Greater Hartford’s Book Buddies program and supported several charitable endeavors in Greater Hartford.

As Soul Passages approaches its tenth anniversary, the membership is grateful that Soul Passages endures, that it continues to serve as a vehicle for supporting black writers, remains an important forum for expression of afro-centric viewpoints and provides exposure to different genres of the written word. Soul Passages, at ten years, has survived longer than many marriages and with the continued support of its members and the community, should continue.