Meet the team
PAGES the Reading Group Founder | Professor | Author | Digital Content Creator
Hometown: Gardena, CA Favorite Author: Ta-Nehisi Coates Favorite Genre(s): Philosophy | Black Studies | Black Feminism | Afro-pessimism | Memoir
PAGES founder, Justin Clardy, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Santa Clara University. Their research research focuses on ethical questions that arise around interpersonal relationships and political theories. Dr. Clardy’s debut book, Why It’s OK to NOT be Monogamous, was released in March 2023 with Routledge Press. He is currently bringing a manuscript on Marriage, Race, and Non-Monogamy to completion. Both a writer and speaker, Dr. Clardy regularly publishes in academic journals and speaks to audiences worldwide.
Why do you read?: Well, it’s kind of my job and I enjoy it. I also enjoy how the things I read shape the ways I write.
Why Ta-Nehisi Coates?: I love his mastery of prose.
My shelves predominately feature: Books about love, relationships, and race.
Why PAGEStrg?: See about us.
Justin Clardy, PhD (he/they)
@urfavfilosopher
Alicia “PBG” Bunyan-Sampson (she/her)
@polyamorousblackgirl
Co-Creative Director | Registered Social Worker | Digital Content Creator
Hometown: Toronto, ON Favorite Author (*this year): Sara Ahmed Favorite Genre(s): Magic Realism
PBG, affectionally known by some as “The PBGenius”, is a registered social worker and an all around “internet kid”. Alicia has built and maintained digital audiences with a reach greater than 65K across all of her platforms, under the moniker of “Polyamorous Black Girl”. She does not know how to ride a bicycle and thinks that breakfast food tastes better at night. Away from PAGES, she creates content that focuses on Black women, love, trauma, technology, and non-monogamy. Her present projects include the development of a fictional television series that depicts the relationship(s) of Black polyamorous people living in Toronto.
Why do you read?: I read because it allows me to explore new worlds.
Why Sara Ahmed?: Because of the ways in which she blends theory with the mundane.
My shelves predominately feature: Books on trauma.
Why PAGEStrg?: Because I’m continuously exposed to new authors and ideas that challenge me and what I think I know. Also, I’m always able to explore radical ideas without shame.
Higher Education Professional | Writer | Business Owner | Digital Content Creator
Hometown: Gardena, CA Favorite Author: Undecided Favorite Genres: Self-help | Personal Growth
Jas is a higher education professional that serves as the Black Student Union advisor and Black/African American student engagement coordinator at a top 50 university in America. In addition to being the beloved little sister to PAGES’ founder, Jas is also a caring and loyal friend and colleague who truly believes in empowering others to reach their potential. Away from PAGES, she owns the a women’s empowerment brand, “SeenQueens”, that encourages women to be seen and heard boldly and beautifully.
Why do you read?: I read because I want to stimulate my mind.
Why undecided?: There are too many good books and writers to choose from.
My bookshelf predominantly features: Books on Self-help and personal growth.
Why PAGEStrg?: It’s more than just reading good books, it’s great dialogue, good vibes, and dope reads.
Jasmin “Jas” Clardy (she/her)
@jasminclarity
Writer | Editor | Business Owner | Digital Content Creator
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Favorite Author: Undecided Genre(s): Race | Economics
One of the original members of PAGEStrg, Jai’s passion for reading and having intellectual conversations has been present. Her experiences as an HBCU graduate and former social work professional contribute to the valuable perspectives she has come to be known for at PAGES events. Away from PAGES, Jai is a burgeoning entrepreneur in the Greater Los Angeles Area. She owns Black Money Matters Act Like It, a brand geared toward teaching and expanding the reach of financial literacy to economically marginalized communities.
Why do you read?: I read because it’s therapeutic.
Why undecided?: There are too many good books and writers to choose from.
My bookshelf predominantly features: Books on race and group economics.
Why PAGEStrg?: Because PAGESTRG is my tribe.
Jessica “Jai” McConico (she/her)
@jai_got_soul
Scholar | Writer | Hip-Hop and NBA Aficionado
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Favorite Author: Richard Wright Favorite Genre(s): Social Realism (fiction) | Philosophy | Cultural/Political Histories
Has anyone seen Tha Homie Kev?
Tha Homie Kev is PAGES’ resident skeptic and is a doctoral candidate in English at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Kev’s scholarship focuses on 19th and 20th century African American literature and culture and connects slave narratives and prison literature along a continuum of Black Americans writing from the “front lines.” Along these lines, his work speaks to concerns around Black masculinity, Black male sexualities, class, citizenship, and the law.
“Tha Homie Kev”
Firefighter | Photographer | Graphic Designer | Digital Content Creator
Hometown: West Memphis, AR Favorite Author: Alexander Dumas Favorite Genre(s): Dystopias | Art History
Kentrell “FlashedEdwin” Curry is a University of Arkansas Alumnus where he studied Art History. When he is not busy fighting fires, Flash spends his time reading in art galleries or exploring the outdoors with an eye in his Nikon viewfinder. Some of his photographic work, such as his photograph, “waves; fire and water” has been recognized by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Spend more time with his art here.
Why do you read?: I read because reading takes me to new places and brings new ideas and points of view.
Why Alexander Dumas?”: He’s a Black man who wrote timeless classics like The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo.
My shelves predominantly feature: Dystopian novels such as 1984 and Brave New World, but I will read just about anything, or at least give it a shot.
Why PAGEStrg?": I’ve been here from the beginning and the dialogue has always been the highlight. Our book choices are always on point, but the conversations and insight that you can gain from someone else’s point of view is what makes PAGES so great.
Kentrell “FlashEdwin” Curry
@realaskenbe
Tech Professional | UX Researcher | PAGES Pod Co-host | Digital Content Creator (sometimes)
Hometown: Newport News, VA Favorite Author: TBA (formerly Stephen King) Favorite Genre(s): Black Studies | Erotica | Horror
Nannearl is one of the charismatic co-hosts of the PAGES Podcast, PAGES Pod. Away from PAGES, they are a researcher at a tech company who cares about establishing a shared understanding of the realities of the industry, most especially with those who experience first-hand what it is to be Black (& queered). Nannearl is the creator of Unpacked Angles, a (sunsetted) YouTube channel geared toward sharing UX knowledge. They’re also an avid hiker, self-proclaimed cannabis connoisseur, and newbie to the “killjoy of the group chat” club.
Why do you read?: It’s the best way to travel to other moments that exist alongside now. I’m also obsessed with knowing things, and books are full of information from which to learn and hone my thoughts.
Why TBA?: I’ve been reading a bunch of different things that I’m extremely intrigued by for the past few months, so I’m still getting acclimated to the genre/related genres and I haven’t yet decided on who gets that title just yet.
My shelves predominately feature: Stephen King horrors, eroticas, reverse harems (so, harems 🙄), along with a growing collection of titles in the genres of Black/Queer Studies & Black Feminisms.
Why PAGEStrg?: Because reading while Black has always been a scandalous act. Also the conversations on or about book-related topics that ensue light my mind on fire. The dedication to critical thinking at PAGES TRG is real, and is, in my opinion, what the world needs more of.