Celebrating Black History, Black Excellence, and Black Joy
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. It commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the freedom of the more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in Texas. The newly freed Black Americans observed Juneteenth as a celebration of freedom and its fulfillment. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Jubilee Day, is marked by celebrations, family gatherings, picnics, and readings of the Emancipation Proclamation as a measure of progress against freedom.
As Juneteenth is an occasion for reflection and education, we celebrate the end of slavery in America and acknowledge the profound contributions of Black people to American history and culture. We are amplifying stories that highlight Black history, Black excellence, and Black joy, not to disregard the realities of racism and injustice but to engage with the Black experience in America in a way that is full, balanced, and truthful.
Two Updated and Revised Editions of Juneteenth by Ralph Ellison:
Juneteenth by Ralph Ellison; Introduction by John F. Callahan; Preface by Charles Johnson
The radiant, posthumous second novel by the visionary author of Invisible Man, featuring an introduction and a new postscript by Ralph Ellison’s literary executor, John F. Callahan, and a preface by National Book Award-winning author Charles Johnson.
“For anyone who cares about American literature and the seemingly insolvable pain of race, Juneteenth is a must-read.”—USA Today
Available in Hardcover, eBook, and Audio Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Juneteenth by Ralph Ellison; Preface by Charles Johnson
From Ralph Ellison, an American master and author of the classic novel Invisible Man, Juneteenth is a brilliantly crafted, moving, and wise novel. With a new introduction by National Book Award-winning author Charles R. Johnson.
“[A] stunning achievement . . . Juneteenth is a tour de force of untutored eloquence. Ellison sought no less than to create a Book of Blackness, a literary composition of the tradition at its most sublime and fundamental.” —Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Time
Available in Trade Paperback.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Celebrate and #AmplifyBlackStories:
Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019 Edited by Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain
A chorus of extraordinary voices tells the epic story of the four-hundred-year journey of African Americans from 1619 to the present—edited by Ibram X. Kendi, author of How to Be an Antiracist, and Keisha N. Blain, author of Set the World on Fire.
“A vital addition to [the] curriculum on race in America . . . a gateway to the solo works of all the voices in Kendi and Blain’s impressive choir.”—The Washington Post
“From journalist Hannah P. Jones on Jamestown’s first slaves to historian Annette Gordon-Reed’s portrait of Sally Hemings to the seductive cadences of poets Jericho Brown and Patricia Smith, Four Hundred Souls weaves a tapestry of unspeakable suffering and unexpected transcendence.”—O: The Oprah Magazine
Available in Hardcover, eBook, Audio, and Large Print Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Son by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
From the New York Times bestselling author of Stony the Road and one of our most important voices on the African American experience comes a powerful new history of the Black church as a foundation of Black life and a driving force in the larger freedom struggle in America.
“Absolutely brilliant . . . A necessary and moving work.” —Eddie S. Glaude, Jr., author of Begin Again
“Engaging . . . In Gates’s telling, the Black church shines bright even as the nation itself moves uncertainly through the gloaming, seeking justice on earth—as it is in heaven.” —New York Times Book Review
Available in Hardcover, eBook, and Audio Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Click for a Discussion Guide.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
Click to Watch the Trailer for The Black Church TV Series on PBS.
Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem: A Memoir by Daniel R. Day
By turns playful, poignant, thrilling, and inspiring, Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem is a high-stakes coming-of-age story spanning more than seventy years and set against the backdrop of an America where, as in the life of its narrator, the only constant is change.
“A fantastic and cinematic writer.”—Phoebe Robinson
“Detailed descriptions of his family’s tragic journey through poverty, the changing nature of his beloved and cursed neighborhood, and his adventures as a hustler are riveting.”—The New York Times
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY VANITY FAIR • DAPPER DAN NAMED ONE OF TIME’S 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN THE WORLD
Available in Hardcover, Trade Paperback, eBook, and Audio Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
Becoming by Michelle Obama
The intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States, featuring a new introduction by Michelle Obama, a letter from the author to her younger self, and a book club guide with 20 discussion questions and a 5-question Q&A.
“It’s human and genuine and welcoming to see the layers of humanity she holds open . . . Michelle Obama’s story can maybe inspire you to find a path for your own story.”—Shonda Rhimes, Shondaland
“A serious work of candid reflection by a singular figure of early-twenty-first-century America . . . Becoming is refined and forthright, gracefully written and at times laugh-out-loud funny.”—Isabel Wilkerson, The New York Times Book Review
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB PICK • NAACP IMAGE AWARD WINNER • ONE OF ESSENCE’S 50 MOST IMPACTFUL BLACK BOOKS OF THE PAST 50 YEARS
Available in Hardcover, Trade Paperback, eBook, Audio, and Large Print Editions.
Also available in Spanish (Becoming) and for Young Adults (Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers)
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Click for a Book Club Kit.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
A Quantum Life: My Unlikely Journey from the Street to the Stars by Hakeem Oluseyi
In this inspiring coming-of-age memoir, a world-renowned astrophysicist emerges from an impoverished childhood and crime-filled adolescence to ascend through the top ranks of research physics.
“You’ll encounter one extraordinary turn of events after another, as the extraordinary chess player, puzzle solver, and occasional grifter works his way from grinding poverty and deep despair to worldwide acclaim as a physicist.”—Bill Nye, CEO of The Planetary Society
Available in Hardcover, eBook, and Audio Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
Notes from a Young Black Chef: A Memoir by Kwame Onwuachi
In this inspirational memoir about the intersection of race, fame, and food, Onwuachi shares the remarkable story of his culinary coming-of-age; a powerful, heartfelt, and shockingly honest account of chasing your dreams—even when they don’t turn out as you expected.
“Kwame Onwuachi’s story shines a light on food and culture not just in American restaurants or African American communities but around the world.” —Questlove
“Onwuachi’s memoir should be required reading, not just for future chefs, but for anyone who wants a glimpse into one man’s tale of what it’s like to be young, black and ambitious in America.” —The Washington Post
A JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION AWARD AND IACP COOKBOOK AWARD NOMINEE
Available in Hardcover, Trade Paperback, eBook, and Audio Editions.
Also Adapted for Young Readers.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
The Chiffon Trenches: A Memoir by André Leon Talley
From the pages of Vogue to the runways of Paris, this “captivating” (Time) memoir by a legendary style icon captures the fashion world from the inside out, in its most glamorous and most cutthroat moments.
“The joy of reading about André Leon Talley’s journey in The Chiffon Trenches is coupled with knowing that he survived and thrived by being revered and respected by those at every level of fashion. That never goes out of style.”—Tamron Hall, award-winning journalist and host of Tamron Hall
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR • FORTUNE • GARDEN & GUN • NEW YORK POST
Available in Hardcover, Trade Paperback, eBook, and Audio Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
A Promised Land by Barack Obama
A riveting, deeply personal account of history in the making—from the president who inspired us to believe in the power of democracy.
“Barack Obama is as fine a writer as they come . . . [A Promised Land] is nearly always pleasurable to read, sentence by sentence, the prose gorgeous in places, the detail granular and vivid . . . The story will continue in the second volume, but Barack Obama has already illuminated a pivotal moment in American history, and how America changed while also remaining unchanged.”—The New York Times Book Review
NAACP IMAGE AWARD NOMINEE • NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW • THE WASHINGTON POST • THE NEW YORK TIMES • NPR • THE GUARDIAN • MARIE CLAIRE
Available in Hardcover, eBook, Audio, and Large Print Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
The Black Panther Party: A Graphic Novel History by David F. Walker; Illustrated by Marcus Kwame Anderson
A bold and fascinating graphic novel history of the revolutionary Black Panther Party.
Founded in Oakland, California, in 1966, the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense was a radical political organization that stood in defiant contrast to the mainstream civil rights movement. This gripping illustrated history explores the impact and significance of the Panthers, from their social, educational, and healthcare programs that were designed to uplift the Black community to their battle against police brutality through citizen patrols and frequent clashes with the FBI, which targeted the Party from its outset.
Using dramatic comic book-style retellings and illustrated profiles of key figures, The Black Panther Party captures the major events, people, and actions of the party, as well as their cultural and political influence and enduring legacy.
Available in Trade Paperback and eBook Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley’s Sack, a Black Family Keepsake by Tiya Miles
A renowned historian traces the life of a single object handed down through three generations of Black women to craft an extraordinary testament to people who are left out of the archives.
“A history told with brilliance and tenderness and fearlessness.”—Jill Lepore, author of These Truths: A History of the United States
Available in Hardcover, eBook, and Audio Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
A Black Women’s History of the United States by Daina Ramey Berry and Kali Nicole Gross
A vibrant and empowering history that emphasizes the perspectives and stories of African American women to show how they are—and have always been—instrumental in shaping our country.
“Remarkably comprehensive and accessible, introductory and sophisticated, two ground-breaking historians have come together to produce a ground-breaking new history of Black women in the United States. To know the story of the United States is to know this indispensable story.”—Ibram X. Kendi, author of Stamped from the Beginning and How to Be an Antiracist
Available in Hardcover and eBook Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
The Spirit of Music: The Lesson Continues by Victor L. Wooten
Grammy Award winner Victor Wooten’s inspiring parable of the importance of music and the threats that it faces in today’s world.
“[A] bit like Carlos Castaneda’s shamanist tales, a bit like tween fiction, a bit like websites on, say, sonic healing through principles of sacred geometry and—at its best—an enactment of epiphanies told in the ping-pong dialogue . . . It’s a book that stands happily against traditional music pedagogy and canned notions of achievement. This is to its great credit.” —The Washington Post
Available in Trade Paperback, eBook, and Audio Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
Black Futures by Kimberly Drew and Jenna Wortham
An archive of collective memory and exuberant testimony, a luminous map to navigate an opaque and disorienting present, and an infinite geography of possible futures that asks the question: What does it mean to be Black and alive right now?
“A literary experience unlike any I’ve had in recent memory . . . a blueprint for this moment and the next, for where Black folks have been and where they might be going.”—The New York Times Book Review (Editors’ Choice)
Available in Hardcover, eBook, and Audio Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance by Hanif Abdurraqib
A stirring meditation on Black performance in America from the New York Times bestselling author of Go Ahead in the Rain.
“Whether heralding unsung entertainers or reexamining legends, Hanif Abdurraqib weaves together gorgeous essays that reveal the resilience, heartbreak, and joy within Black performance. I read this book breathlessly.”—Brit Bennett, author of The Vanishing Half
“The real devil in America is America itself, the one who stole the soul that he, through open eyes and with fearless prose, snatches back. This is searing, revelatory, filled with utter heartbreak, and unstoppable joy.”—Marlon James, author of Black Leopard, Red Wolf
Available in Hardcover, eBook, and Audio Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
The Black Book Edited by Middleton A. Harris, Ernest Smith, Morris Levitt and Roger Furman; Foreword by Toni Morrison
A new edition of the classic New York Times bestseller edited by Toni Morrison, offering an encyclopedic look at the black experience in America from 1619 through the 1940s with the original cover restored.
“I first read The Black Book as a young man, sneaking it out of my dad’s library. It is appropriate that it should be returned to the world of publishing as we consider Morrison’s legacy, and the many dimensions of the much-deserved monument we now seek to erect in her honor.”—Ta-Nehisi Coates
“A terrible error grew as humans spread out around the globe from our common ancestors in Southern Africa: Race became a source of division and hierarchy instead of the minor adaptation to climate it truly was. The Black Book records some of the everyday suffering and wisdom that this false hierarchy has caused. There is not a member of the human family on earth who cannot learn from it.”—Gloria Steinem
Available in Hardcover.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
The Young Crusaders: The Untold Story of the Children and Teenagers Who Galvanized the Civil Rights Movement by V. P. Franklin
An authoritative history of the overlooked youth activists that spearheaded the largest protests of the Civil Rights Movement and set the blueprint for future generations of activists to follow.
“Lively history of the teenagers and young adults who fought some of the hardest battles of the civil rights movement . . . A compelling narrative that sheds light on a little-known aspect of the struggle for social justice.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Celebrates the young people who became activists and changed the country for getting into ‘good trouble,’ as the late US Rep. John Lewis put it.”—San Francisco Chronicle Datebook
Available in Hardcover, Trade Paperback, and eBook Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks: Adapted for Young People by Jeanne Theoharis; Adapted by Brandy Colbert and Jeanne Theoharis
Now adapted for readers ages 12 and up, the award-winning biography that examines Parks’s life and 60 years of radical activism and brings the civil rights movement in the North and South to life.
“A must-read for young people.”—Bryan Stevenson, author of Just Mercy
“A nuanced exploration of a woman with a lifelong commitment to social change.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Available in Trade Paperback and eBook Editions.
Also Available for Adults: The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Celebrated Poets:
The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country by Amanda Gorman; Foreword by Orpah Winfrey
Amanda Gorman’s powerful and historic poem “The Hill We Climb,” read at President Joe Biden’s inauguration.
On January 20, 2021, Amanda Gorman became the sixth and youngest poet to deliver a poetry reading at a presidential inauguration. Taking the stage after the 46th president of the United States, Joe Biden, Gorman captivated the nation and brought hope to viewers around the globe. Her poem “The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country” can now be cherished in this special gift edition. Including an enduring foreword by Oprah Winfrey, this keepsake celebrates the promise of America and affirms the power of poetry.
Available in Hardcover, eBook, and Audio Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Click for a Teacher’s Guide.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
Click for Amanda Gorman’s Poetry Writing Tips.
Click to Watch Amanda Gorman Talk About Why She Writes Poetry.
African American Poetry: 250 Years of Struggle & Song Edited by Kevin Young
A literary landmark: the biggest, most ambitious anthology of Black poetry ever published, gathering 250 poets from the colonial period to the present.
“It is overwhelming to contemplate the variety and history contained in this volume. The poems gathered here have the force of event. They were written as acts of public mourning, and as secrets; they are love poems and bitter quarrels. They are prized company.” —The New York Times
“This vast anthology gathers voices both canonical and overlooked to build an implicit but unassailable case that Black poetry is central to American literature.” —New York Times Book Review
Available in Hardcover.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Click to Watch Kevin Young in Conversation with Our Colleague Miriam Tuliao.
Finna: Poems by Nate Marshall
Sharp, lyrical poems celebrating the Black vernacular—its influence on pop culture, its necessity for familial survival, its rite in storytelling and in creating the safety found only within its intimacy.
“Simply outstanding poetry.”—Roxane Gay, author of Hunger and Bad Feminist
“Written in a streetwise vernacular, these pieces about what it means to be a Black man in America feel the beat of rap and the burden of history. His search for the ‘Nate Marshall origin story’ illuminates life in this country in a strikingly original way.”—The Washington Post
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR • THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Available in Trade Paperback, eBook, and Audio Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
Black Girl, Call Home by Jasmine Mans
From spoken word poet Jasmine Mans comes an unforgettable poetry collection about race, feminism, and queer identity.
“Nothing short of sublime, and the territory [Mans’] explores . . . couldn’t be more necessary.”—Vogue
A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2021 BY OPRAH MAGAZINE • TIME • VOGUE • VULTURE • ESSENCE • ELLE • COSMOPOLITAN • REAL SIMPLE • MARIE CLAIRE • REFINERY 29 • SHONDALAND • POP SUGAR • BUSTLE • READER’S DIGEST
Available in Trade Paperback, eBook, and Audio Editions
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
Click to Watch Jasmine Mans Perform Her Poetry for Librarians.
Celebrate with Food:
In Pursuit of Flavor: The Beloved Classic Cookbook from the Acclaimed Author of The Taste of Country Cooking by Edna Lewis; Foreword by Mashama Bailey
The classic cookbook from “the first lady of Southern cooking” (NPR), featuring a new foreword by Mashama Bailey, star of Netflix documentary series Chef’s Table.
“Timeless . . . [this] beautiful new edition includes charming illustrations and a foreword by Savannah chef Mashama Bailey, who helms The Grey.” —Southern Living
“Lewis’s food is both subtle and elegant, made with the confidence and grace that arose from over a half-century in the kitchen . . . Even 30 years later, Edna Lewis . . . teaches us that ‘good food simply and lovingly prepared’ will never go out of style, while reminding us that the passionate pursuit of flavor can make for one hell of a life.” —The New York Times Book Review
Available in Hardcover and eBook Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Rodney Scott’s World of BBQ: Every Day is a Good Day: A Cookbook by Rodney Scott and Lolis Eric Elie
In the first cookbook by a Black pitmaster, James Beard Award–winning chef Rodney Scott celebrates an incredible culinary legacy through his life story, family traditions, and unmatched dedication to his craft.
In this cookbook, co-written by award-winning writer Lolis Eric Elie, Rodney spills what makes his pit-smoked turkey, barbecued spare ribs, smoked chicken wings, hush puppies, Ella’s Banana Puddin’, and award-winning whole hog so special. Moreover, his recipes make it possible to achieve these special flavors yourself, whether you’re a barbecue pro or a novice.
“BBQ is such an important part of African American history, and no one is better at BBQ than Rodney.”—Marcus Samuelsson, chef and restaurateur
“Rodney Scott’s World of BBQ takes its readers into the heart, mind, and soul of a barbecue artisan who is at the top of his craft . . . His recipes for side dishes, desserts, and beverages definitely remind you that, yes, every day will be a good day when you use this cookbook.”—Adrian Miller, James Beard Award winner
Available in Hardcover, eBook, and Audio Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
Black Food: Stories, Art, and Recipes from Across the African Diaspora: A Cookbook Edited by Bryant Terry
A beautiful, rich, and groundbreaking book exploring Black foodways within America and around the world, curated by food activist and author of Vegetable Kingdom Bryant Terry.
As much a joyful celebration of Black culture as a cookbook, Black Food explores the interweaving of food, experience, and community through original poetry and essays. The recipes are expansive and generous, including sentimental favorites and fresh takes such as Crispy Cassava Skillet Cakes from Yewande Komolafe, Meatballs with Egusi and Squash from Edouardo Jordan, Jerk Chicken Ramen from Suzanne Barr, Avocado and Mango Salad with Spicy Pickled Carrot and Rof Dressing from Pierre Thiam, and Sweet Potato Pie from Jenné Claiborne. Visually stunning artwork from such notables as Black Panther Party creative director Emory Douglas and artist Sarina Mantle are woven throughout, and the book includes a signature musical playlist curated by Bryant.
Coming in October 2021!
Soon to Be Available in Hardcover and eBook Editions.
Sweet Home Café Cookbook: A Celebration of African American Cooking by NMAAHC
A celebration of African American cooking with 109 recipes from the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s Sweet Home Café.
“More than just a collection of recipes, Sweet Home Café Cookbook is a fascinating, thoughtful look at African American foodways, and how American food wouldn’t be nearly as delicious and complex without the many contributions of African American cooks.” —Southern Living
NAMED A 2019 JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION BOOK AWARD NOMINEE FOR BEST AMERICAN COOKBOOK • A FOOD & WINE BEST COOKBOOK OF FALL 2018 • A BOOKLIST TOP 10 FOOD BOOK OF 2018 • AN ESSENCE OCT 2018 PICK • AND MORE
Available in Hardcover and eBook Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Jubilee: Recipes from Two Centuries of African American Cooking: A Cookbook by Toni Tipton-Martin
With more than 100 recipes, from classics such as Seafood Gumbo, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, and Pecan Pie with Bourbon to lesser-known but even more decadent dishes like Spoon Bread and Baked Ham Glazed with Champagne, Jubilee presents techniques, ingredients, and dishes that show the roots of African American cooking—deeply beautiful, culturally diverse, fit for celebration.
“A comprehensive account of African American recipes and foodways. From the kitchens run by enslaved people to the family tables of freemen to the careers of entrepreneurs and chefs, Jubilee covers the breadth of a true American cuisine.”—The Washington Post
JAMES BEARD AWARD WINNER • IACP AWARD WINNER • IACP BOOK OF THE YEAR • TONI TIPTON-MARTIN NAMED THE 2021 JULIA CHILD AWARD RECIPIENT • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST COOKBOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW • THE NEW YORKER • NPR • CHICAGO TRIBUNE • THE ATLANTIC • BUZZFEED • FOOD52
Available in Hardcover and eBook Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Son of a Southern Chef: Cook with Soul by Lazarus Lynch
A wildly inventive soul food bible from a two-time Chopped winner and the host of Snapchat’s first-ever cooking show.
“Son of a Southern Chef overflows with expressions of self-love.”—The Washington Post
“An uninhibited, personal celebration of his family’s cooking and African-American foodways.”—Grub Street
Available in Trade Paperback and eBook Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Further Reading:
For more titles about Black History, check out:
Books That Chronicle Black History.
The Read Down: Juneteenth.
Young Readers Resources for Books by Black Voices.
