Printable Book Club Questions for The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris

Why did the book start off with the prologue from Kendra Rae’s perspective as she fled the city? How did it set the stage for what was to come?
Nella is the only black person in an all-white environment. Let’s discuss the micoaggressions she dealt with on a daily basis.
When the company hires another black girl, Nella hopes they’ll be each other’s allies. But she soon starts to suspect that Hazel is competitive with her. When did you suspect that something was ‘off’ with Hazel?
A passage toward the beginning of the book says “diversity becomes an item people start checking off a list and nothing more, a shallow, shadowy thing with but one dimension.” What are your thoughts on this?
Nella’s boss asks for her opinion on the latest book from the bestselling author Colin Franklin. She shares her concerns about how the only black character was written. Both Colin and her boss gets offended and defensive. Why wouldn’t they listen to Nella?
Who did you think were sending those notes to Nella? What would you have done if you were Nella and received those notes?
We finally learn what is behind the curtain of the OGBs (other black girls). Hazel is part of a group distributing hair grease that works as social lubricants. It makes black people “amendable when it comes to working with white people and removes any guilt.” What did you think as you read that reveal? Did you think it was an interesting plot twist or did you not like it?
Why did the author choose hair grease for the social lubricant?
Hazel often distributes the hair grease to women without their consent. Why did Hazel go down this path? Does she actually believe she’s helping other black women with it?
Why did Nella eventually take the social lubricant? Were you surprised she took it? What do you think end up happening to Nella afterward?
Why did Diana work with Imani on distributing the hair grease? What are their goals with it? Why was Richard involved as well?
What are your thoughts about the epilogue? What will happen to Shani?