Born March 23, 1942, Ama Ata Aidoo was a Ghanaian author, poet, playwright, and professor who advocated for African women, African literature, and free education and literacy. She passed away in 2023. Some of her famous works:
365 Black Books John Mason Brewer Friday
Born March 24, 1896, John Mason Brewer was an African American folklorist, scholar, teacher, and author. He was a pioneer in the field of folklore and most of his folklore was centered around Texas.
365 Black Books Marlon James Thursday
Marlon James was the featured author at Marygrove’s Conservancy Contemporary American Author Lecture Series (CAALS). Born in Jamaica in 1970, Marlon James has written five novels, two of which have received awards. Black Leopard was the National Book Award finalist; A Brief History of Seven Killings received the Man Booker Award.
365 Black Books Toni Cade Bambara Wednesday
Born March 25, 1939, Toni Cade Bambara was a writer, teacher, and activist. She passed away in 1995. Here are some of her notable works:
365 Black Books Kalamu ya Salaam Tuesday
Happy birthday Kalamu ya Salaam! He celebrates his 79th birthday today! Kalamu ya Salaam is a poet, author, filmmaker, and teacher from the 9th Ward of New Orleans. A well-known activist and social critic, Salaam has spoken out on a number of racial and human rights issues. Here are a few of his works:
365 Black Books Houston A. Baker, Jr. Monday
Celebrating his 83rd birthday March 22, Houston A. Baker, Jr. is a scholar s an American scholar specializing in African-American literature and Distinguished University Professor of English at Vanderbilt University. Here are a few of his books:
365 Black Books Cheryl W. Thompson Sunday
Cheryl W. Thompson was at the Detroit Public Library talking about her book, Forgotten Souls, The Search for the Lost Tuskegee Airmen. These Airmen risked so much for America and the war. Their significance and impact should be told. Thank you Cheryl Thompson for writing their stories.
365 Black Books Sociology Saturday
One book is published which focuses on the lives of five African American female sociologists whose work contributed to the intersectionality of race, gender, culture, and more.
365 Black Books Kinda Fun/Funny Books from the 2021 BCALA Best of the Best Black Books
These books focus on fun, humor, family, black love and joy, and other themes. Happy reading!
Book 1: Count to Love! by Andrea Davis Pinkney How many ways can you count to love? On fingers and toes, on legs and arms, with belly kisses? Award-winning Andrea Davis and Brian Pinkney bring this sweet board book read-aloud to life with joyful text and exuberant illustrations, capturing that vivacity and energy so familiar to the parents of toddlers.
Book 2: Dream Street by Tricia Elam Walker; illustrated by Ekua Holmes
Cousins take readers on a neighborhood tour and introduce them to the wonderous people who call Dream Street home.
The Swag is in the Socks by Kelly J. Baptist. Xavier is so close to being great and the Scepter League could get him there. Everyone in his family has been a part of the club and now maybe he will be a member as well. Hopefully with the addition of the socks from his uncle and the notes he’s been receiving he will find his way.
Book 4: Long Division by Kiese Laymon After City Coldson’s breakdown during a quiz contest goes viral he is sent to stay with his grandmother. There he embarks on a time bending journey and the only constant is City and a book with a mysterious author named Long Division.
365 Black Books Michael S. Harper Thursday
Born March 18, Michael S. Harper was a poet and English professor at Brown University, who was the Poet Laureate of Rhode Island from 1988 to 1993. His poetry was influenced by jazz and history. Some of his notable works:
Below is a biography of Michael S. Harper
The CamaraIfe Maktaba 