In past Black History Month posts, I have often suggested websites specializing in various aspects of African American life in the United States.
This year, let’s look at books celebrating the lives and society contributions of lesser-known or non-famous African Americans.
Adult Reading
Diasporic Blackness: The Life and Times of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg by Vanessa K. Valdes
Right Worthy Grand Mission: Maggie Lena Walker and the Quest for Black Economic Empowerment by Gertrude Woodruff Marlowe
Being Brought from Africa to America: The Best of Phillis Wheatley by Phillis Wheatley (published 2020)
The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Dubois AND W.E.B. DuBois: A Biography (1868-1963) by David Levering Lewis
The First Black United States Marines: The Men of Montford Point 1942-1946 by Ronald K. Culp
African American War Heroes by James B. Martin, Editor
In the Spirit of Ronald B. McNair:- Astronaut: an American Hero by Carl S. McNair
Books for Children and Young Adults
Black Heroes: A Black History Book for Kids: 51 Inspiring People from Ancient Africa to Modern Day USA by Arlisha Norwood (Ages 8-12)
Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library by Carole Boston Weatherford (Ages 8-12)
The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles) (Elementary Grades)
A Voice of Her Own: Candlewick Biographies: The Story of Phillis Wheatley, Slave Poet by Kathryn Lasky (Ages 8-12)
Buffalo Soldiers and the American West by Jason Glaser (Ages 9-12)
Leaders Like Us: Rebecca Lee Crumpler, First Female African American Doctor in the United States by J.P. Miller and Markia Jenai
Brave. Black. First.: 50+ African American Women Who changed the World by Cheryl Hudson
This list could be endless. There are a number of biographical anthologies that have been published and books can be found about African Americans that have contributed to just about every sport, educational discipline, the arts, etc.
Take a few minutes to search online. There are zillions of interesting sounding books.