Today we’d like to introduce you to Tangee Augustin.
Hi Tangee, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
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.
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 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.
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 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. This organization 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 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.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
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 20 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.
How do you define success?
I define success as reaching goals that align with my values and making sure my actions align with those goals. Simply put, it’s about being intentional with what I do and why I do it.
For me, success has never been solely about numbers. It’s not about how big a project, business, or book club becomes, but rather the quality of what you’re building and the impact it has on others. Growth is wonderful, but growth without purpose isn’t necessarily success to me.
When I think about Melanin & Manuscripts, success isn’t measured by how many members we have, how many events we host, or how many followers we gain. It’s about creating experiences that feel full and meaningful, bring genuine joy, foster community connections, and elevate our reading habits. It’s seeing women discover authors they may have never picked up otherwise, form friendships beyond the pages, and find a sense of belonging through a shared love of literature.
I also believe success is something you continuously redefine. What success looked like for me when I started Melanin & Manuscripts in 2018 isn’t necessarily what it looks like today. As I grow personally and professionally, my goals evolve, but my values remain the foundation.
At the end of the day, I don’t just want to build something big. I want to build something meaningful. If what I’m doing aligns with my values, brings fulfillment, and positively impacts the people connected to it, that’s success to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/melaninandmanuscripts
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaninandmanuscripts
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MelaninManuscriptsBookClub
- Other: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/melanin-manuscripts-book-club-121263642886?aff=ebdsshcopyurl
