Saddle Up and Read! Literacy & Legacy Farm Life with The Black Cowgirl, Caitlin Gooch

On this episode of Black in the Stacks, we’re digging into a story about heritage, literacy, and the incredible impact of showing up for your community. Known to many around the world, including Oprah Winfrey, as the Black Cowgirl my guest today is Caitlin Gooch, and if you’re wondering if we are related, we haven’t gotten there yet but the likelihood is high.

Caitlin is the driving force behind the non-profit Saddle Up and Read. Based in North Carolina, this brilliant organization is tackling the childhood reading gap by doing something completely unexpected: bringing kids together with her horses so they can read to them.

She’s taking the deep cowboy and rodeo roots passed down by her father and using that unique energy to inspire the next generation of readers. In this episode, we’re talking about what happens when you combine cultural preservation with community care, how the calming presence of a 1,000-pound animal can break down a child's reading anxiety, and how honoring your family roots can spark a movement.

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