Today we’d like to introduce you to Chrys Slaughter.
Hi Chrys, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My best friend Ahjanay, my cofounder, and I were in the middle of a casual girls chat when we found ourselves talking about how, as adults, we tend to drift away from the things we once loved because life gets in the way. That led us to reminiscing about our favorite hobbies, and, without planning it, we both landed on the same one: reading. That’s when the idea clicked. We decided it was time to reignite our love for books, and we started a friends-only book club, now known as Book Bliss Book Club. In the beginning, it looked like your typical book club—one book a month, a group chat, and occasional in-person meetups.
Then everything shifted. I moved from my hometown of Richmond, VA to Dallas, TX. We kept the book club going as a way to stay connected and continue sharing our love for reading. But as a transplant in Dallas, I quickly realized I didn’t have a sense of community here. That realization pushed us to think bigger. We decided to create an online presence and open the club to a wider audience, welcoming members virtually. Before officially launching, we got clear on what mattered most to us: creating a women-centered space that amplifies Black and Brown authors, while also fostering genuine connections that extend beyond the books themselves. Within a few months, we saw growth, both on social media and in our membership. Still, I felt a gap locally in Dallas. I wanted deeper, in-person connections with our members and the surrounding book community. I had heard about silent reading events and thought it could be a low-pressure way to bring people together. Silent readings are simple: we meet at a local coffee shop or park, spend about an hour reading—whether it’s a physical book, ebook, or audiobook—and then stay to chat, connect, and share. On a whim, I picked a location and posted a TikTok inviting anyone interested to join. The video reached over 23,000 views, and on the day of the event, more than 40 people showed up. I was honestly shocked, but even more than that, I was moved. Seeing so many like-minded women in one space—connecting, laughing, and forming friendships over a shared love of books—meant everything.
In that moment, I knew this was something I wanted to keep building. Since then, the club has grown in such a meaningful way. We currently have 36 members across Virginia, Texas, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, and Illinois. We paused membership for a time to pour into the community we had already built, and over the past nine months, we’ve formed real, lasting friendships. Now, we’re ready to open our doors again. Membership reopens in June, and we’re excited to welcome even more women into the Book Bliss community. Stay connected with us online to join.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No way! Aha It hasn’t been the smoothest road at all. In the beginning, it was a lot of trial and error. Figuring out what kind of content actually resonates in the book space while still keeping our brand visually cohesive. Then it became about making sure everyone felt included in things like book selections, which sounds simple but takes real intention. After that, the questions shifted to events. What we should host, where we should host them, and how to create experiences people actually want to show up for.
Those are challenges, but they’re manageable. The bigger one has been funding. I’ve always wanted Book Bliss to feel thoughtful and elevated, from the decorations to the giveaways, the spaces we host in, and even having books available for swaps. Creating that kind of experience costs money, and aside from a few paid events, I’ve been funding most of it myself. It’s something I care deeply about, so I don’t mind putting in the time, energy, and resources; but I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t been financially taxing at times. Right now, we’re focused on finding a balance—figuring out sustainable ways to bring funds back into the club so we can continue growing without losing the quality and intention that make Book Bliss what it is.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Currently, I work in an office-style setting, but my background is rooted in creativity and brand-building. I earned my Master’s in Strategic Communications from American University and my Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from Norfolk State University. Because of that, creating and building brands comes naturally to me—it’s where I feel most comfortable and where I truly thrive. I love developing ideas and content that feel a little outside the box, but still relatable and easy for people to connect with. That balance is important to me. Honestly, I’m most proud of the version of myself I’ve discovered since moving to Dallas. It’s the first time I’ve lived states away from my family, and through that transition, I’ve built a new sense of community. The club has played a huge role in that; it’s become a space where I’ve found real connection and, in many ways, a new family. What sets me apart is my authenticity. There are so many people and book clubs doing amazing, inspiring work, and I respect that. But I stay grounded in my own intentions and what’s been working for us. I try not to get caught up in comparison or feel the need to replicate what others are doing, because that’s when you start to lose your direction.
What are your plans for the future?
Growth, growth, growth! That’s the energy I’m carrying forward. The word I chose to define my 2026 is abundance. Abundance in happiness, love, friendship, meaningful connections, and most importantly, blessings. That mindset applies to my personal life, but it naturally extends to Book Bliss as well.
We’re preparing to reopen membership soon, and we have some really exciting events on the way. I won’t share too much just yet, but we’ve been building behind the scenes by having conversations with brands for partnerships, connecting with other clubs for collaborations, and really thinking about how to expand our reach in a meaningful way. One of the things our members look forward to the most is our annual “Meet and Read” Retreat in September. It’s something we’re especially excited about, and we’re planning to make it even more special this year.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/bookblissbookclub
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookblissbookclub
