Don’t Go

Stories of Segregation and How to Disrupt It

By: Maria Krysan, Tonika Lewis Johnson

Narrated by: Jasmin Walker, Robb Moreira, Maria Krysan, Kevin R. Free, Tonika Lewis Johnson, Jonathan Todd Ross, Lynnette R. Freeman, Marisol Ramirez, Cindy Kay, Nan McNamara

Multiple times a day, in cities across the US and beyond, a simple yet powerful message is repeated by the well-meaning, the ignorant, and the bigoted: “don’t go”—avoid at all costs those Black and Brown disinvested neighborhoods that have become bywords for social disorder and urban decay.

This book is a collection of intimate stories that uncover the hidden influence of both subtle and overt “don’t go” messages and the segregation they perpetuate in Chicago. Told by everyday people to Tonika Lewis Johnson and Maria Krysan—a Black artist and a White academic who met through their shared passion for anti-segregation work—the stories paint a rich picture of life in a segregated city.

One by one, the storytellers upend pessimism with candid, deeply personal, humorous, and heartbreaking tales, and with novel ideas for simple actions that can serve as antidotes to both racism and “place-ism.”

By inviting listeners into the lives of regular people who have ignored the warning to stay away from “don’t go” neighborhoods or who live in those very same neighborhoods, the stories in Don’t Go illuminate the devastating consequences of racial segregation and disinvestment as well as the inevitable rewards of coming together.

“Don’t Go is a remarkable piece of work that can change how we all live. The human voices and engaging, innovative approach do more than a mountain of data ever could to bridge racial barriers. This is a powerful and compelling book.”—Lawrence D. Bobo, Harvard University

This audiobook is narrated by Robb Moreira, Jonathan Todd Ross, Kevin R. Free, Nan McNamara, Marisol Ramirez, Cindy Kay, Jasmin Walker, Lynnette R. Freeman, Tonika Lewis Johnson, and Maria Krysan.

©2025 Tonika Lewis Johnson and Maria Krysan (P)2024 Recorded Books

The stories

Very good book discussing the issue of segregation and providing encouragement to STOP saying “Don’t Go”. I was brought back to my childhood growing up outside Washington, DC and so many people saying “don’t go” to certain neighborhoods. I drove through some of “those neighborhoods” when I drove to university.

Highly Recommend if you’ve ever been told not to travel to Chicago (PS they were wrong)

Great stories, very relatable for anyone who grew up in a white community and interested in living or traveling to new neighborhoods around the city. Must read for people interested in exploring diversity in your life and a few tools to help inspire a broader reach in Chicago neighborhoods you may have previously been afraid to check out.