Black History Month

Fifty-three years ago, Black History Month was established in the United States to honor the legacy and achievements of Black Americans whose history and struggles were untold. Today, the reach has widened, and the annual observance now includes Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom as they celebrate black peoples’ history in their respective countries. 

The Fisher College Library, along with the Fisher College Social Justice Committee, is happy to share this list of books, films, TV shows, and podcasts from black creators who share black stories and history.  

 

Books

All books are available to borrow and read in the Fisher Library.

 

I, Too, Sing America - by Langston Hughes

Wrote during the Harlem Renaissance in 1926, Hughes writes that even though he feels excluded because of his race, he still sings like an American. In ‘I, Too, Sing America,’ the poet uses free verse to get the powerful conversational feeling you get while reading the piece.

 

The Coldest Winter Ever- by Sister Souljah

Published in 1999, This novel focuses on the life of Winter Santiaga, the daughter of a wealthy and well- known drug lord.

 

The Eyes Were Watching God- by Zora Neale Hurston

This is a story about Janie Crawford, a mixed black woman with white heritage. The story took place around 1890, which was not easy for those of mixed race. She shares the journey of her finding the love she dreamed.

 

The Other Black Girl- by Zakiya Dalila Harris

Taking place in 1983 up to 2018 shows the experiences of five Black women who work at a publishing company. This novel introduces subjects like systemic and internalized racism, workplace privilege and how the media has a huge role in the racial representations.

 

How To Raise an Antiracist - by Ibram X. Kendi

Ibram X. Kendi an American author, professor, and anti-racist activist explains it is not enough to just be not racist, you need to be anti-racist.

 

The Wedding - by Dorothy West

Published in 1995, Shelby Coles is the youngest daughter of her parents, she is well-focused and chases after what she wants. The book takes place on her wedding day at Martha's Vineyard in the 50s, however, her friends and family try to talk her out of the marriage with the white jazz pianist name is Meade Wyler.

 

Harriet Tubman: The Life and the Life Stories

This novel shows the journey of the vow she made to liberate her entire family, and the endless and countless trips she made during the 1850s to guide and rescue 70 enslaved people in a total of 13 trips.

 

Autobiography of a People: Three Centuries of African American History Told by Those Who Lived It - by Gordon Parks

This autobiography takes eyewitness accounts that go back to the history of the African American experience. They talk about the middle passage that forced the voyage of enslaved African Americans across the Atlantic Ocean to the New world this is also known as the Transatlantic trade.

 

Becoming - by Michelle Obama

A memoir of Michelle Obama, this book reflects on her life as the first African American First Lady.

 

The Rage of Innocence: How America Criminalizes Black Youth - by Kristin Henning

Hennings goes into how racism and trauma that Black children face from discriminatory and antagonistic policing.

 

Born in Blackness - by Howard W. French

Professor Howard W. French reframes the understanding of emerging Africa by showing how Europe's economic status and dominance along with the establishment of democracy in the west all came out of Europe's inhumane and degrading relationship with Africa.

 

How the Word is Passed - by Clint Smith

Clint Smith takes the story of Angola, which was once a former plantation that later turned into a maximum-security prison that was filled with Black men, who work 18,000-acre lands with little to no pay.

 

Black Ghost of Empire: The Long Death of Slavery - by Kris Manjapra

This intervention of the extensive history of global Black reparations of racial slavery. This book identifies the five types of emancipation that took place across the globe.

 

Master Slave, Husband Wife - by IIlyon Woo

A literary masterpiece that takes place in 1848. Ellen and William craft a young-enslaved couple that achieved one of the most daring coups in American history, while being husband and wife they posed as master and slave.

American Inheritance - by Edward J. Larson

The question ‘American Inheritance’ asks us is, can America come to terms with the founding sins of this country? More than 12 million Africans were traded during the transatlantic slave trade, by 1700 more than 2 million were being shipped to America.

 

Films

 

Black America Since MLK: and Still I Rise

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. embarks on a deeply personal journey through the last fifty years of African American history.

 

I Am Somebody: Three Films by Madeline Anderson

In 1969, black female hospital workers in Charleston, South Carolina went on strike for union recognition and a wage increase, only to find themselves in a confrontation with the state government and the National Guard.

 

Till

The true story of Mamie Till-Mobley's relentless pursuit of justice for her 14-year-old son, Emmett Till, who was brutally lynched in 1955 while visiting his cousins in Mississippi.

 

African-Americans in World War II: Legacy of Patriotism and Valor

This documentary tells the Story of African Americans during the Period 1940 Through 1946. Covering All Phases and theaters of World War II, it focuses on the contributions of these brave men and women on the home and war fronts to the eventual allied victory.

 

COVID and Race

This brief program explores the impact of race and racism on rates of exposure to and infection with COVID-19.

 

The Harder they Fall

When an outlaw discovers his enemy is being released from prison, he reunites his gang to seek revenge.

 

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M'Baku, Okoye and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T'Challa's death.

 

The Woman King

In the 1800s, a group of all-female warriors protects the African kingdom of Dahomey with skills and fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen.

 

Judas and the Black Messiah 

FBI informant William O'Neal infiltrates the Illinois Black Panther Party and is tasked with keeping tabs on their charismatic leader, Chairman Fred Hampton.

 

Descendant

Documentary filmmaker Margaret Brown returns to her hometown of Mobile, Alabama to document the search for and historic discovery of The Clotilda, the last known ship to arrive in the United States, illegally carrying enslaved Africans.

 

Black Art: in the Absence of Light

Inspired by the work of the late artist and curator David Driskell, this illuminating documentary spotlights the indelible contributions of some of the foremost African American artists in today's contemporary art world.

 

Making Black America: Through the Grapevine

Chronicling the vast social networks and organizations created by and for Black people.

 

Summer of Soul

Over the course of six weeks during the summer of 1969, thousands of people attended the Harlem Cultural Festival to celebrate black history, culture, music, and fashion.

 

High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America

Food writer Stephen Satterfield traces the origins of African-American cuisine, tracing its throughlines from Africa to Texas.

 

Podcast

 

Black Mental Health Podcast - by Reginald A. Howard

This podcast showcases real accounts of a black community that struggles with mental health issues. Its intent is to break the gap between people who feel alone and to offers solutions.

 

Well-Read Black Girl with Glory Edim

A creative community that is dedicated to black women, Glory Edim introduces people like Min Jin Lee, Anita hill, and many others that take us through the journey to tell us the stories of women who have paved the way.

 

Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast

Michelle Obama takes us into her private life and shares personable accounts and lessons she has learned. This podcast is similar to her book The Light We Carry, as it shares the issues that relate to race and talks about tools that have been used to change and overcome challenges.

 

I am Athlete Podcast - by Brandon Marshall

Founded by former NFL wide receiver Brandon Marshall, Adam “Pacman” Jones, and LeSean McCoy. This was created as a space for athletes to share their voices and the stories they have faced. While this is a sports focused podcast, they also unravel culture, fashion music, and many more topics.

 

More than That with Gia Peppers

This podcast elevates conversations that are directly related to Black America. Peppers created a safe platform for conversations to happen in order to address the inequalities in Black America.

 

The Read with Kid Fury and Crissle

Kid Fury and Crissle created a podcast for hip-hop and pop culture talk, along with talking about the latest gossip as they say, “no one is safe unless your name is Beyonce or Blue Ivy.”

 

LeVar Burton Reads - by LeVar Burton  

Want to take a break from your daily life and hear some great stories? Well LeVar Burton reads is perfect for you, while reading LeVar is accompanied by soundscapes and white noise.

 

Billie Was a Black Woman - by Rebecca Carroll

This podcast looks at the present and past of Black womanhood by looking into the life of Billie Holiday. Highlighting the work of Black creatives and activists all while incorporating past and present celebrities and activists.

 

The Greatest Sports Stories Never Told - by Stephan Curry, Alex Vespestad, Stefan Marolachakis

Stephan Curry, Alex Vespestad, and Stefan Marolachakis break the walls down and tell stories that you won’t find in the world record books. They get firsthand accounts from athletes and artists and those who broke the walls in some of the world's greatest games.

 

The 85 South Show with Karlous Miller, DC Young Fly, Chico Bean

The 85 South Show takes the three most talented and fearless comedians in America that showcases improv, freestyling and roasting skills. While this is a lighthearted podcast, they also incorporate social issues and race.