Jones Library's Black Lives Matter Book List

"For many, it can feel like change takes too long, and it might seem that we have not moved very far. But political activist Kareem Abdul-Jabbar believes that public protest is a vital part of affecting change, even if that change doesn't come "right now." In We All Want to Change the World, he examines the activism of people of all ages, ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds that helped change America, documenting events from the Free Speech...

"From the Thurber Prize-winning author of 'What doesn't kill you makes you Blacker' comes a pioneering collection of Black humor from some of the most acclaimed writers and performers at work today . . . With words that roast, ignite, and burn while connecting to and coalescing around a singular thesis, 'That's how they get you' emphasizes how and why Black American humor is uniquely transfixing. This is a mixture of not just observational anxieties...

"From the creator of the popular platform BlackGirlsGardening, this collection of compelling stories and lush photography celebrates Black women in the garden"-- Provided by publisher.

A philanthropic leader shares her journey from 1960s Detroit to heading a major foundation, advocating for racial healing as a path to overcoming systemic inequities and empowering communities globally through truth-telling and empathy-driven transformation.

"A child of the civil rights era, Martha S. Jones grew up feeling her Black identity was obvious to all who saw her. But in Jones's first semester of college, a Black Studies classmate challenged her right to speak. Suspicious of the color of her skin and the texture of her hair, he confronted her with a question that inspired a lifetime of introspection: "Who do you think you are?" Now a prizewinning scholar of Black history, Jones delves into her...

"An intimate portrait of James Baldwin, offering a new understanding of his life and works as seen through his close relationships and private life. James Baldwin (1924-1987) was a pivotal figure of the twentieth century, an influential author, intellectual, and activist who led a celebrated public life--and whose words and image and persona remain current in our culture. Baldwin's many incarnations--'son of Harlem,' 'Black icon,' 'great twentieth-century...

"Food has always been a political tool for the oppressor--and the Black body has always been one of its many battlegrounds. Licensed mental health therapist, somatic healer, and eating disorder specialist Alishia McCullough understands that for far too many Black women, racial trauma's seismic impact has disrupted their most essential relationship: the one they have with their bodies--and by extension, with their food. African Americans are disproportionately...

"Ten illustrated essays tell the stories of handcrafted objects and their makers, providing inspiration and insight into Black history and craftsmanship"-- Provided by publisher.

"With equal parts candor and humor, Jerald Walker--a recipient of the PEN Award for nonfiction and finalist for the National Book Award--sharply examines and explains Black life and culture in Magically Black and Other Essays"-- Provided by publisher.

"Throughout history, the concept of Blackness has been remarkably intertwined with another color: blue. In daily life, it is evoked in countless ways. Blue skies and blue water offer hope for that which lies beyond the current conditions. But blue is also the color of deep melancholy and heartache, echoing Louis Armstrong's question, "What did I do to be so Black and blue?" In this book, celebrated author Imani Perry uses the world's favorite color...