African Art History

"I have been waiting for a book like this, and I’m so glad it's here." — Clint Smith, author of How the Word is Passed Since the nation’s founding, Black Americans have had a unique perspective on the U.S. experience—a “second sight”—that reveals the truth about the nation to...

The musician and Hip Hop legend—hailed as “the greatest MC of all time” and compared to Thelonious Monk—reimagines the writing handbook in this memoir and guide that incorporates the soulful genius, confidence, and creativity of a master artist. When he exploded on the music scene...

Award-winning journalist Natasha S. Alford grew up between two worlds as the daughter of an African American father and Puerto Rican mother. In American Negra, a narrative that is part memoir, part cultural analysis, Alford reflects on growing up in a working-class family from the city of...

A soulful collection of illuminating essays and interviews that explore Black people’s spiritual and scientific connection to the land, waters, and climate, curated by the acclaimed author of Farming While Black Author of Farming While Black and co-founder of Soul Fire Farm, Leah Penniman...

A RECOMMENDED BOOK OF 2019 FROM Vanity Fair * Vogue * The Huffington Post A stunning multi-cast audio collection of fiction, diary entries, screenplays, and scripts by the brilliant African-American artist and filmmaker, featuring the voices of Nina Collins, Mari, Bahni Turpin, Adenrele Ojo...

AudioFile Magazine Earphones Award Winner The ""Mega Diva"" and legendary star of Black-ish looks back on her memorable journey to fame and the unforgettable life lessons she learned along the way. Jenifer Lewis keeps it real in this provocative and touching memoir by a mid-western girl with a...

Straightened. Stigmatised. 'Tamed'. Celebrated. Erased. Managed. Appropriated. Forever misunderstood. Black hair is never 'just hair'. This book is about why black hair matters and how it can be viewed as a blueprint for decolonisation. Emma Dabiri takes us from pre-colonial Africa, through the...

The films, the stars, the filmmakers-all get their due in Hollywood Black, a sweeping overview of blacks in film from the silent era through Black Panther, with striking photos and an engrossing history by award-winning author Donald Bogle. The story opens in the silent film era, when white...

A heartfelt memoir, read by Darius Rucker himself! "Darius has always been one of my favorite people to sing with and to call a friend in this industry and yet even knowing him well for as long as I have, there are so many incredible stories in Life's Too Short that I enjoyed learning for the...

This quintessential middle grade biography of Harriet Tubman now features a foreword written and read by National Book Award finalist Jason Reynolds and additional new material. A selection of the Schomburg Center's Black Liberation Reading List. Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground...

Narrated by Melanie McHugh. To read most histories of art, you might be forgiven for supposing that great artists are superhuman, and the knowledge of different movements, periods and styles is essential to truly appreciate art. It's time to look at art in a new way. THE POWER OF ART delves into...

A bestselling music historian follows Jelly Roll Morton on a journey through the hidden worlds and forbidden songs of early blues and jazz. In Jelly Roll Blues: Censored Songs and Hidden Histories, Elijah Wald takes readers on a journey into the hidden and censored world of early blues and jazz...

A timeless classic that will enchant readers who love Jennifer L. Holm and Thanhhà Lại, about an immigrant girl inspired by the sport she loves to find her own home team—and to break down any barriers that stand in her way. Shirley Temple Wong sails from China to America with a heart full...

Stonewall Book Award Winner * A Time Magazine Best YA Book of All Time A fierce coming-of-age verse novel about identity and the power of drag, from acclaimed poet and performer Dean Atta. Perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo, Jason Reynolds, and Kacen Callender. Michael is a mixed-race gay...

A young girl spends a magical day in her grandad's painting studio, discovering the joy of art, music, and the special bond they share. By the granddaughter of legendary Caldecott Medal-winning children's book illustrator Jerry Pinkney. Step into the warm, jazz-filled world of a young girl and...

Learn about feelings and emotions with Shady Baby in this audiobook created by the bestselling team of Gabrielle Union, Dwyane Wade, and Tara Nicole Whitaker! Shady Baby is baking cupcakes, and she has some feelings about the process. From excitement or boredom, Shady Baby expresses nine common...

In this unique inspirational audiobook, we take a deep dive and remember the almost superhuman contributions of our greatest black leaders from the 20th century. Each in their own way educating liberating and freeing untold millions of souls from the heartless bondage they were forced to endure at the hands of a cruel largely racist selfinterested society. Fighting a Goliath of ignorance with little chance of success each in their own way overcame incredible obstacles to implement the finer attributes of Justice truth and freedom in the troubled world around them.

In this New York Times bestseller that takes a bold journey through the alphabet of Black history and culture, B is for Beautiful, Brave, and Bright! Letter by letter, The ABCs of Black History celebrates a story that spans continents and centuries, triumph and heartbreak, creativity and joy...