Born March 15, Harriet E. Wilson was the first African American to publish a novel in North America. Her novel, Our Nig, Sketches From the Life of a Free Black, published in 1859, is an autobiographical narrative that stands as one of the most important accounts of the life of a black woman in the antebellum North.
Born March 8, Mel Watkins is an author, critic and a former staff member of the New York Times. He is known for this book, Stepin Fetchit, the Life and Times of Lincoln Perry. He has written a book about comedy, On the Real Side and his memoir, Dancing with Strangers.
John Lewis was born February 20. Posting books about his life and legacy. Read more about him here.
Here are just a few books written by and about him.
I watched a very informative and fascinating documentary titled, “Women in Motion.” That is the name of Nichelle Nichols consulting firm that partnered with NASA to recruit more people of color into NASA. Excellent documentary!
Nichelle Nichols’ autobiography:
Her adult fiction:
A children’s book about Nichelle Nichols:
Langston Hughes, poet, playwright, and short story writer, was born February 1. More about Langston Hughes can be found here. Some of his notable books:
Born January 13, Sharon Robinson is the daughter of Jackie Robinson. She is also a nurse-midwife, health writer, author, and educator. She has written several books about Jackie Robinson and herself.
Book 1: Her memoir, Child of the Dream
Book 2: Jackie Robinson’s biography, Promises to Keep
Book 3: Jackie’s Nine
Zora Neale Hurston, author, anthropologist, and folklorist was born January 7. Well-known for her book, “Their Eyes Are Watching God”, she has written other books. Just a few pictured here. More can be found on the website: https://www.zoranealehurston.com/books/
Her autobiography:
If you are a fan of Zora Neale Hurston, you should treat yourself to the Zora Neale Festival in January. It is a fabulous event that honors and pay tribute to a fantastic author. For more information, check out the website: https://zorafestival.org/
Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews was born January 2. He is a trombone player that fuses rock, jazz, pop, hip-hop and funk into his music. I had the opportunity/privilege to hear when he performed at one our library conferences in New Orleans. He was fabulous then and continues to be fabulous now.
He wrote two books about his life and career: https://www.tromboneshorty.com/books
John Hope Franklin was born on January 2, 1915. He was an American historian who wrote primarily about American history. His classic and seminal work is:
Book: From Slavery to Freedom
Book: Mirror to America, his autobiography
Belated birthday wishes to Cicely Tyson who was born on December 19, 1924.
Her memoir: Just As I Am
A children’s book about Cicely was written by Renee Watson; illustrated by Sherry Shine
The CamaraIfe Maktaba 