Today we’d like to introduce you to Ari Gibbs.
Hi Ari, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey started long before Well Read Sistas Inc. was ever a name — it began with my lifelong love of reading and my deep commitment to creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered.
Like many women, I noticed a gap. I saw brilliant, busy Black women who wanted to read more, grow more, and connect more — but traditional literary spaces didn’t always feel welcoming, accessible, or culturally aligned with our lived experiences. What began as a simple desire to gather Sistas around books quickly grew into something much bigger.
I founded Well Read Sistas Inc. to be more than a book club — I envisioned a movement rooted in literacy, leadership, wellness, and community. At the heart of our work is joy and intentional self-love. For us, reading isn’t just intellectual — it’s restorative. It’s choosing ourselves. It’s slowing down. It’s gathering in safe spaces where Black women can breathe, reflect, laugh, learn, and be poured into. Joy is not an afterthought in our community — it’s a strategy. Intentional self-love is not indulgent — it’s necessary.
Professionally, my 20+ years in customer experience, operations, and community building — combined with my diverse hosting and facilitation experience — have shaped how I lead and scale this work. I’ve had the privilege of hosting and moderating conversations at literary events, professional development sessions, wellness events, and community-centered programming. Those experiences have strengthened my ability to create rooms — both virtual and in-person — where people feel engaged, energized, and genuinely connected.
Excellence and empathy can coexist, and care-centered leadership builds sustainable communities. That philosophy shows up in everything we create — from our book discussions to our signature Behind the Pages author conversations (now on YouTube!) and beyond.
Today, I’m proud that Well Read Sistas Inc. continues to create meaningful literary experiences, leadership opportunities, and affirming spaces where Black women grow intellectually, personally, and collectively — with joy at the center.
And truthfully — we’re just getting started.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road — and I say that with both honesty and gratitude. Like many founders, especially Black women founders, much of this journey has required building while learning, stretching resources, and often being the visionary, operator, marketer, and community manager all at the same time. In the early days of Well Read Sistas Inc., one of the biggest challenges was simply visibility — helping people understand that we weren’t “just another book club,” but a movement centered on literacy, leadership, wellness, and intentional community for Black women. There have also been the very real behind-the-scenes hurdles: capacity constraints, funding limitations, and the ongoing work of scaling sustainably without losing the intimacy and care that make our community special. Balancing growth with intentionality is something I’m constantly thoughtful about. On a personal level, I’ve had to learn — in real time — the importance of protecting my joy and practicing the same intentional self-love that we preach in this community. Building something meaningful requires stamina, boundaries, and the willingness to evolve as a leader. That said, every challenge has sharpened the vision. Every obstacle has clarified the assignment. And each season has reaffirmed why this work matters so deeply.
We are building something that lasts — and that journey is rarely linear, but it is absolutely purposeful.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At my core, I am a community architect, experience curator, and customer experience leader who specializes in building intentional spaces where Black women — and our broader community — can grow intellectually, socially, and personally.
Through Well Read Sistas Inc., my work lives at the intersection of literacy, leadership development, wellness, and community building. We design culturally relevant literary experiences, author conversations, and professional development programming that center Black women’s voices and lived experiences. In parallel, through Big Spades League LLC, I also create culturally affirming game spaces where we teach and play Spades shame-free — preserving cultural tradition while removing intimidation and gatekeeping. What truly sets me apart is my ability to blend operational excellence with cultural fluency and creative energy. I don’t just build programs — I build experiences that feel good in the room. With over 20 years in customer experience, operations, and community engagement, I bring structure, strategy, and sustainability to everything I touch. But equally important, my background in hosting, interviewing, spoken word, and my deep love of music allows me to create environments that are emotionally resonant, high-touch, and memorable. I’m known for reading the room well — understanding energy, pacing conversations intentionally, and creating spaces where people feel immediately welcomed and safe to participate. Whether I’m moderating an author conversation, facilitating a workshop, or hosting a Spades experience, my goal is always the same: engagement with intention, joy at the center, and zero shame in the learning process. What I’m most proud of is the trust our communities have placed in me. People don’t just attend — they return, they invite others, and they show up fully. That level of trust is built through consistency, care, and intentional self-love practices that I model both personally and professionally. Ultimately, what differentiates me is the fusion: strategy and soul, structure and softness, culture and care. I build spaces where excellence and ease can coexist — and where our people feel both elevated and at home.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something many people don’t know about me is how deeply my creative side informs everything I do. While people see me as a founder, host, or organizer, I’m also a spoken word artist, a lover of music, and a natural storyteller. I often channel those creative instincts into spaces like Well Read Sistas Inc. and Big Spades League LLC — shaping experiences with rhythm, flow, and emotional connection in ways that people don’t always realize behind the scenes. Another surprising thing is how intentional I am about joy and self-love in my daily life. I don’t just teach it in our communities — I practice it consistently, even on the busiest days, because I know that how I show up sets the tone for everyone else. It’s a reminder that leadership and creativity thrive when grounded in care, celebration, and a little bit of play.
Pricing:
- Every donation of $15 or more receives a complimentary bookmark from Well Read Sistas Inc.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wellreadsistas.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellreadsistas/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wellreadsistasfb/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WellReadSistas
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/noig_ari/?hl=en
