Today we’d like to introduce you to Tangee Augustin.
Tangee, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Melanin & Manuscripts started in 2018 with a pretty simple idea: I wanted to create a space where women of color could come together, read books by Black authors, and build genuine connections around the stories we were reading. So much of my professional life has centered around people, connection, creating safe spaces, and building community. Looking back, I think those same values naturally found their way into Melanin & Manuscripts.
In the beginning, we were much smaller and much more informal. I communicated with members through email, sent out our Book of the Month information, and planned our gatherings without social media. The members eventually convinced me that we needed an Instagram page—and they were right! What began as simply getting together to discuss books gradually grew into something much bigger.
Over the years, Melanin & Manuscripts has become what I like to call **“book-forward + sisterhood.”** The books will always be at the center, but the community we’ve built around them is just as important. We’ve created experiences that extend beyond a traditional book club meeting—from author conversations and silent reading parties to audiobook walks, book swaps, literary events, wellness experiences, and opportunities to support the larger Black literary community.
In 2026, we reached another exciting chapter. Melanin & Manuscripts became an LLC, secured our Virginia service mark, and received federal USPTO trademark registration. Our membership has grown to the point that we recently closed enrollment after welcoming a new group of members from our waitlist. We’ve also had opportunities to collaborate with authors, publishers, booksellers, and literary festivals, while continuing to create spaces that celebrate Black stories and the people who love them.
What I’m most proud of, though, isn’t necessarily the growth or the milestones. It’s seeing women walk into a meetup because they love books and leave having found community. Eight years later, something that started as an idea has become a sisterhood I could never have fully imagined—and we’re still writing the story.
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?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has actually come from growth. Melanin & Manuscripts started as something I organized simply because I loved books and wanted community. I wasn’t thinking about becoming a brand, managing a large membership, working with authors and publishers, or protecting intellectual property. As we grew, I had to grow with it.
There has been a learning curve around creating structure while still maintaining the warmth and sisterhood that made the group special in the first place. When you’re building community, you’re also bringing together different personalities, expectations, communication styles, and ideas about what that community should look like. I’ve had to learn that protecting the culture of a space sometimes means establishing boundaries, making difficult decisions, and being comfortable knowing that every decision won’t make everyone happy.
Another challenge has been balancing Melanin & Manuscripts with an already full life. I have a demanding career as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Chief Clinical Officer, and I’m also a wife and mother. The book club has grown largely through the time I’ve carved out because I genuinely love doing it. Learning when to delegate, ask for help, and build a team (i.e., board members) around the vision has been an important part of the journey.
But I think the challenges have also clarified what Melanin & Manuscripts is supposed to be. Growth isn’t just about getting bigger; it’s about becoming more intentional. Eight years in, I’m much clearer about our purpose, our boundaries, and the kind of community I want us to continue building.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and currently serve as a Chief Clinical Officer, overseeing mental health and substance use treatment programs. I’ve worked in the behavioral health field for more than 15 years, and my career has allowed me to experience this work from many different perspectives—from direct clinical practice and owning a private practice for six years to clinical supervision, program development, compliance, and executive leadership.
Today, much of my work focuses on ensuring that the people we serve receive quality, ethical, person-centered care while also developing the clinicians who provide that care. As a board-approved clinical supervisor, one of the parts of my work I value most is mentoring developing clinicians and helping them strengthen not only their clinical skills, but their confidence and professional identity.
I’m especially proud of the progression of my career. I entered this field because I wanted to help people, but over time I realized that leadership gives me the opportunity to create impact on a much larger scale. Instead of only impacting the clients directly on my caseload, I now have the opportunity to influence how entire programs operate, how clinicians are supported, and ultimately how many individuals and families experience care.
What sets me apart is probably the combination of clinician and builder in me. I’m very structured and systems-oriented, but I never want policies, numbers, or operations to make us forget the human beings behind them. I care deeply about creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and connected.
Interestingly, that philosophy carries into my life outside of behavioral health as well. It’s a big part of how I’ve approached building Melanin & Manuscripts. Whether I’m developing clinicians, leading programs, or creating community around books, there is a common thread in my work: bringing people together and creating spaces where they can grow.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that surprises people is that I’m truly an omnivert. I love people, I love creating experiences, and I can absolutely walk into a room with my head held high and confidently take the microphone, but I also really value my alone time. After all the socializing, I need that quiet time to recharge. I’m perfectly content being by myself.
People are also surprised when I tell them I still get nervous before hosting events or speaking in front of a crowd. Confidence and nervousness can exist at the same time! I’ve always been naturally confident, but that doesn’t mean I don’t get butterflies. I’ve just learned not to let them stop me from showing up.
And then there’s a completely different side of me – Jeep life! I own a Jeep Rubicon and love hitting the trails, going off-road, and finding a little adventure. There’s something about getting off the pavement, getting the Jeep dirty, and seeing where the trail takes me that I absolutely love.
I think all of those sides are genuinely me …. the social host, the woman who needs her quiet time, and the girl who will happily take her Jeep off-road for an adventure.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/melaninandmanuscripts
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaninandmanuscripts
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taugustinlcsw
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MelaninManuscriptsBookClub
- Other: https://melaninandmanuscripts.eventbrite.com
