From the New York Times, number one best seller. So you want to talk about race and mediocre, Ijeoma Oluo is out with a new book called Be a Revolution. The book gives insight into how community leaders are pushing for change today in some of America's most powerful systems. Ijeoma, thank you so much for joining us, and congratulations on the book release today.

Thank you so much.

Okay, so you talk about ableism, racism, sexism in some of America's most powerful systems, from media, education, housing, labor. What can community leaders on the ground do to make these systems more inclusive?

I think it's really important to recognize that work is being done in systems and outside of systems to help mitigate harm being done. We need people, of course, to be saying, this needs to change. There is harm here, and we need to recognize our personal power beyond just voting, where we have a voice, where we have power, but also support those who are trying to bridge a lot of gaps and trying to find new ways of meeting needs for our most marginalized communities.

You went to the communities across the country, talked to more than 30 of these community leaders. Did you feel by the end of this book, more optimistic?

Absolutely. It was such an important reminder that our survival for many of us in marginalized groups has depended upon this loving community care that people have been providing for multiple generations, and that work is still continuing, even if it's not making headlines. We can always join that work or support that work.

For many of us, especially when we're looking at these news headlines, it feels like we're becoming a more divided, that we're becoming a Rich Get Richer, a Poor Get Poer. What did give you hope?

What gave me hope was how people from all different backgrounds with all different levels of resources. We're finding ways to connect with other people, to meet community needs, and to really have important conversations about what needs to change in our systems, our businesses, and how we relate to each other. That work is still being done, and it is helping people every single day.

Now, you write, We are currently pouring into systems that have trapped us into intergenerational cycles of harm that were instead given to those who have been fighting to free us. Explain what you mean by that.

What I mean is it's really important to recognize that a lot of the groups and organizations and efforts that make headlines are often not really resourcing our most needed communities. They're not really providing help on the ground. And those who are doing that important work are often doing so very under-resourced, and they're doing so without much help or attention. And we can actually take resources, pour into that, and make a lot more change than we're making right now.

What inspired you to write this book?

What inspired me was the community that has been there for me as a black woman, that has been there for my family and my community, and recognizing that this is how we get by. We are part of multiple generations of community work and community care, and that is the story of survival for the black community and so many communities in this country.

This book, at the end, is really a call to action to the reader. I'm curious how you would advise the typical reader to recognize these barriers and be a revolution.

That is a great question. I would say start small, start local, start with your interests. If you have a particular interest, research how that is impacting people of different races, different classes, genders, ethnicities, and say, Where do I have power right here? Let me learn about this. Let me talk to the people already fighting for change. See how I can support them, see how I can join. That's a beautiful place to start.

Joma, thank you so much for your time. I appreciate you joining us. You can purchase Be a Revolution, how everyday people are fighting oppression and changing the world, and how you can, too, wherever books are sold.

Hi, everyone.

George Stefanopouls here. Thanks for checking out the ABC News YouTube channel. If you'd like to get more videos, show highlights, and watch live event coverage, the right over here to subscribe to our channel. Don't forget to download the ABC News app for breaking news alerts. Thanks for watching.