It’s time to refresh your reading list. Let’s celebrate Black History Month with these amazing authors that express and uplift the Black experience. Here are five books that help amplify Black voices and learn from the Black American trailblazers from our history and the ones who pave the way for a future of change. Want other great options to add to your reading list this month? Check out this list of books by Black Authors you will enjoy as well.
The Strong Black Woman: How a Myth Endangers the Physical and Mental Health of Black Women
Meet Black women who have learned through hard lessons the importance of self-care and how to break through the cultural and family resistance to seeking therapy and professional mental health care. For generations, in response to systemic racism, Black women and African American culture created the persona of the Strong Black Woman, a woman who, motivated by service and sacrifice, handles, manages, and overcomes any problem, any obstacle. The syndrome calls on Black women to be the problem-solvers and chief caretakers for everyone in their lives―never buckling, never feeling vulnerable, and never bothering with their pain.
To be a Black woman in America is to know you cannot protect your children or guarantee their safety, your value is consistently questioned, and even being “twice as good” is often not good enough. Consequently, Black women disproportionately experience anxiety and depression. Studies now conclusively connect racism and mental health―and physical health. You deserve to be emotionally healthy for yourself and those you love. More and more young Black women are re-examining the Strong Black Woman syndrome and engaging in self-care practices that change their lives.
Resilient Black Girl: 52 Weeks of Anti-Racist Activities for Black Joy and Resilience
Resilient Black Girl is a must-read in young adult nonfiction books for Black girls. As a social justice book for teens and a book about racism, it provides Black teen girls a better understanding of the effects of racism and equips them with skills for navigating spaces in their daily lives.
Young Black girls and young Black women are powerful. Unfortunately, you will face microaggressions and racism in your daily life. Resilient Black Girl empowers you to be brave, face challenges of oppression, and rely on yourself. In the spirit of the Black Lives Matter movement, learn to be a positive element in your community through allyship and activism. This journal and activity workbook provides the steps to achieving your personal and public goals.
Empowered Black Girl: Joyful Affirmations and Words of Resilience
Even strong, fearless, and badass Black girls and Black women need affirmations. Now more than ever, we need to practice the art of self-care and give our minds and bodies the TLC they deserve. Author of Badass Black Girl and Happy, Okay?, M.J Fievre brings you inspirational words of wisdom through fabulous Black female trailblazers who have changed the world, including Audre Lorde, Lupita Nyong’o and Angela Davis.
Take a deep breath. We don’t always have to be strong. Sometimes, taking a break to focus on our mental health is bravery in itself. We find ourselves needing reminders that we are incredible and more than enough. Empowered Black Girl teaches you to master using daily words of affirmation, experience a life filled with love, Black joy, fulfillment, and satisfaction and how to take control of your destiny and direct your future.
Young Trailblazers: The Book of Black Inventors and Scientists
Take your child on an adventure and travel through time to meet historical black trailblazers who changed the game. Countdown to liftoff with Katherine Johnson who helped pioneer U.S. crewed space missions. Safely cross the street with Garrett Morgan who invented the traffic signal or even sing your heart out with James West’s invention of the microphone.
There are Black scientists and Black inventors such as George Washington Carver and Madam C.J. Walker we all know. There are also dozens of Black trailblazers that we don’t know of, all of whom have accomplished remarkable things in literature, entertainment, education, STEM, business, military and government services, politics and law, activism, sports, spirituality, and more.
Get your copy of Young Trailblazers
Black and Resilient: 52 Weeks of Anti-Racist Activities for Black Joy and Empowerment
From the bestselling author of Badass Black Girl comes a much-needed space for Black teens and kids to say “I am enough.” In this self-acceptance guidebook for teen boys, be empowered by 52 weeks of Black self-love and anti-racism lessons, affirmations for positive thinking, and prompts for Black Boy Joy.
Black and Resilient includes prompts for teens to reflect and divulge what they’re feeling on a deeper level. It comes with mind-strengthening affirmations for teens, stories of truth and power, and practices to teach Black teen boys how to stay empowered despite what life throws at them. This Black confidence book is a catalyst for change and healing to enter the heart and spirit of Black teens everywhere.
Part of the Bold & Black series for Black self-love and antiracism. The Bold & Black series is specifically designed to help Black teens create a safe space to be themselves. The world often forgets that Black boys also need affirmations and words of empowerment to get through the day. Black & Resilient seeks to give Black teens the space to heal, find Black Boy Joy, and become empowered to walk boldly in their everyday lives.
