The notion of the Book & Jazz Collective began in 2021, when our founder discovered the history of the Third World Liberation Front (TWLF) during her studies at UC Berkeley. She learned that the TWLF was a coalition of diverse student organizations that comprised the Afro-American Student Union, Asian American Political Alliance, Mexican American Student Confederation, and the Native American Student Alliance. Their vigorous pursuit was to combat the racial and ethnic inequalities in higher education by demanding the implementation of ethnic studies programs that reflected the diverse student body. In their endeavor, these student-oriented associations engaged in strikes and protests that led to police encounters and institutional hostilities. Despite these systematic obstacles, San Francisco State University and the University of California, Berkeley became the first academic institutions to create an Ethnic Studies department. 

Today, we continue our advocacy for these spaces—both within and beyond academia—that honor our multifarious identities and cultures. Our vision at the Book & Jazz Collective is to create a place where we can fully be ourselves, share our traditions, and uplift one another through creativity. We envision communities coming together in unity and strength. 

So what is the Book & Jazz Collective?

We are a third-world liberation space dedicated to providing information, access, and opportunity for underserved communities to explore imaginative endeavors. Through music, art, and literature, we strive to energize the creative soul. By nourishing the creative soul, we seek to deepen our collective understanding and shapeshift the colonial obstacles that impact our world. 

About our Founder ꒰⌗´͈ ᵕ ॣ`͈⌗꒱৩

Zilla is a library professional seeking to decolonize against Anglo cultural influence by uplifting underserved Black & Brown communities through creative expressions. Born and raised in San Francisco, she has witnessed the detrimental effects of poverty, drug-use, and lack of educational outreach. As a result, she wishes to aid communities affected by gentrification. She currently lives in Uptown Oakland with her dog, Sushi & crested gecko, Blossom. She holds a B.A. in English Literature and Chicanx/Latinx Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. She is on her way to receive her MLIS degree from San José State University. 

Her music partner