Another Detroit playwright is Dominique Morisseau. Her play, Detroit ’67, has been performed all over and is worth going to see when you get the chance. It is part of a trilogy known as The Detroit Project.
365 Black Books Dance Thursday
These books feature the amazing dance pioneer Alvin Ailey
Book 1: Revelations: The Autobiography of Alvin Ailey by Alvin Ailey
Book 2: Alvin Ailey A Life in Dance by Jennifer Dunning
Book 3: Alvin Ailey by Andrea Davis Pinkney; illustrated by Brian Pinkney
Book 4: Ailey Spirit
Book 5: Edges of Ailey
365 Black Books Research Wednesday
Our bookclub met Tuesday. We discussed the book All That She Carried by Dr. Tiya Miles. From a cotton bag that was passed down, Dr. Miles carefully traces the history and lives of a generation of women. An enslaved woman named Rose packed a bag for her soon to be sold daughter Ashley. Ashley carried that bag when she was sold into slavery. Decades later, Ashley’s granddaughter Ruth embroidered this family history on the sack.
Dr. Miles investigation, examination, and insight is thoroughly presented in this book. Dr. Miles wrote more than historical facts and research. She crafted a story about a generation of women whose love for family and each other carried them throughout their lives.
365 Black Books Newspaper Tuesday
Book 1: The African American Newspaper Voice of Freedom by Patrick S. Washburn
Book 2: Black Newspapers and America’s War for Democracy, 1914-1920 by William G. Jordan
Book 3: The Defender by Ethan Michaeli
365 Black Books Insurance Monday
These three books present historical information on African Americans in the insurance industry as well as African American insurance companies.
Book 1: Black Pioneers in the American Insurance Industry by Jarrard “Rod” Powell, Sr.
Book 2: Black Business in the New South by Walter B. Weare
Book 3: Black Innovators in the American Insurance Industry
365 Black Books Joe Louis Sunday
A new book has recently been published about the legendary boxer.
Book 1: The Fight of His Life by Johnny Smith and Randy Roberts
Book 2: A Nation’s Hope the story of legendary boxer Joe Louis by Matt de la Pena; illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Book 3: Joe Louis, My Life by Joe Louis and others
365 Black Books Play Saturday
Today’s post will feature a Detroit playwright: the late Ron Milner. His plays: What the Wine Sellers Buy, Checkmates, and Jazz Set were performed in several theaters in the U.S. I had the honor and pleasure of meeting him. He was intelligent, creative, politically and socially astute. I enjoyed watching his plays.
365 Black Books Food Friday
These three books take us on a culinary journey.
Book 1: The People’s Place by Dave Hoekstra
Book 2: The Cooking Gene by Michael W. Twitty
Book 3: High on the Hog by Jessica B. Harris
365 Black Books Tween Thursday
These two books feature strong male tween characters.
Book 1: Will’s Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Book 2: The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze by Derrick Barnes
365 Black Books Wednesday Women
On November 4, a few cities, including Detroit, elected their first female mayor. These books feature the first African American woman elected to Congress–Shirley Chisholm, a trailblazer.
Book 1: She Was the First! by Katheryn Russell-Brown; illustrated by Eric Velasquez
Book 2: Shirley Chisholm Dared by Alicia D. Williams; illustrated by April Harrison
Book 3: Loud and Proud by Lesa Cline-Ransome; illustrated by Kaylani Juanita
Book 4: Unbought and Unbossed by Shirley Chisholm
Book 5: The Good Fight by Shirley Chisholm
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