Carol Woods' residents have seen race relations in America transformed during their lifetimes. Many were at the forefront of change -- leading the way during the civil rights movement and working on political campaigns to ensure equality.

Even in retirement, promoting a diverse, equal society and learning about the experiences of minorities remains a priority for many residents. One way some residents are trying to do this is by joining the Black Authors Book Group at Carol Woods.

Janie Freeman started the black authors book group about three years ago, shortly after moving to Carol Woods. The group meets the fourth Wednesday of the month in a different person's cottage or apartment each time.

"I think black authors offer a piece of American history that is little known. It's one of the best things white people can do to understand the black experience," Freeman said. "You never can experience another person's life, but the closest you can come is in reading."

The group reads a variety of works -- fiction, nonfiction, new books, and even some obscure books that are out of print. Anyone in the group can suggest a book; members take turns leading a discussion.

"We read early slave narratives, current black literature -- 'Beloved,' 'The Bluest Eye,'" Freeman said. "We do a wide spectrum of reading."

Some of Freeman's personal favorites from the past three years include 'Souls of Black Folk' by W.E.B. Du Bois, 'Their Eyes Were Watching God' by Zora Neal Hurston, and Malcolm X.

"We've had good discussions with all of them," Freeman said. "You become very close because you are talking about subjects you don't normally talk about. Book groups are an excellent way to build a sense of shared experience, I think."

Many of the women in the black authors book group are, indeed, avid readers who have participated in other book groups for years.

"I'm a reader," said Carol Woods Resident Peggy Griffenhagen. "I'm in another book group too, but this just intrigued me -- the fact that it was going to be black authors. The books and ensuing discussions have been enriching."

Dorrie Prouty has been a member of the book group since it began. "I am interested in race relations and I don't know a lot of black authors, so I thought it would be a good chance to see what kind of fiction they are writing," she said.

One of Prouty's favorite selections is a book the group recently read, "Plum Bun" by Jessie Redmon Fauset. "Plum Bun" was written during the Harlem Renaissance about a black woman who realizes she can pass as white and decides to do so after her parents die.

"She discovers that although she can pass as white, that doesn't solve her problems," said Judy Bellin, a longtime member of the book group. "It talks about the racial, social and gender politics of the 1920s. It's an area I hadn't really thought about, and it is very illuminating."

Bellin said she enjoys reading literature she had not encountered before, but also has broadened her understanding of classics by discussing them with the group.

"We read good classics, like 'The Invisible Man,' which I reread," Bellin said. "The discussions have added a lot to my understanding."

Although there are several people who attend each month, the group is open to those who want to drop in because of interest in a particular author or book. Additionally, the book group has arranged larger events to attract broader interest in the community.

"We're lucky because in Chapel Hill we have a very good black studies department in the English department at UNC, so we have had a couple of professors come and talk about specific black authors and pieces of literature," Freeman said. "The talks were open to the whole Carol Woods community and were fairly well attended."

In May, Trudier Harris, Sitterford professor of English at UNC, spoke in the Carol Woods Assembly Hall about "Kindred" by Octavia Butler. William L. Andrews, senior associate dean for the fine arts and humanities in the College of Arts and Sciences and teacher of black literature at UNC, has also spoken at Carol Woods several times at the invitation of the black authors book group.

The Black Authors Book Group is one of many book groups at Carol Woods. The Carol Woods library sponsors some groups, while others are started by residents like Freeman who have an interest in a particular topic.

Carol Woods recently received the Excellence Award from the Town of Chapel Hill for its "Most Comprehensive Transportation Management Plan." The award was based on the annual transportation plan Art Southard, Carol Woods' director of security, communications and transportation, submits to the town each year. The plan includes a transportation survey of all Carol Woods staff, with the goal of providing options to limit the use of private vehicles.