KRLemmons African American academic work, African American anthology, African American Authors, African American filmmakers, African American History, African American memoirs, African American Nonfiction, African American Professors

September 17 of September is Black Reading Month: Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Belated birthday wishes Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.! Born September 16, Henry Louis Gates Jr., popularly known by his childhood nickname “Skip”, is an American literary critic, professor, historian, and filmmaker who serves as the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and the director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University. He is well-known for his series, “Finding Your Roots” and authoring several African American history books. Here are just a few of his notable works:

KRLemmons African American Authors, African American History, African American Journalists, African American memoirs, African American Nonfiction

September 7 of September is Black Reading Month: Mark Whitaker

Happy birthday Mark Whitaker! Born September 7, Mark Whitaker is an African American author, journalist and media executive. He was editor of Newsweek from 1998 until 2006, the first African-American to lead a national news magazine. From 2004 to 2006, Whitaker served as president of the American Society of Magazine Editors. He authored five books, including his memoir: My Long Trip Home.

KRLemmons African American History, African American Nonfiction, African History, Jamaican American authors

September 6 of September is Black Reading Month: J. A. Rogers

Heavenly birthday wishes Joel Augustus Rogers (J. A. Rogers)! Born September 6, 1880, Joel Augustus Rogers was a Jamaican-American author, journalist, and professional historian who focused on the history of Africa; as well as the African diaspora. After settling in the United States in 1906, he lived in Chicago and then New York City. He died in 1966. He authored the following books:

KRLemmons African American academic work, African American Authors, African American History, African American Nonfiction

September 5 of September is Black Reading Month: Imani Perry

Happy birthday Imani Perry! Born September 5, Imani Perry is the Henry A. Morss, Jr. and Elisabeth W. Morss Professor of Studies of Women, Gender and Sexuality and of African and African American Studies at Harvard University and the Carol K. Pforzheimer Professor at Harvard Radcliffe Institute. Perry is the African American author of 9 books, including the New York Times Bestseller South to America: A Journey Below the Mason Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation which received the 2022 National Book Award for Nonfiction.

KRLemmons African American History, African American Journalists, Civil Rights Movement

365 Black Books Simeon Booker Thursday

Heavenly birthday wishes Simeon Booker! Born August 27, 1918, Simeon Saunders Booker Jr. was an African-American journalist whose work appeared in leading news publications for more than 50 years. He was known for his journalistic works during the civil rights movement and for his coverage of the 1955 murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till. He also was the first African American full-time journalist for the Washington Post. He died in 2017. He authored two works:

KRLemmons African American Authors, African American History, African American Poetry, African American Poets

365 Black Books Clint Smith Tuesday

Happy birthday Clint Smith! Born August 25, Clint Smith is an award winning, New York Times bestselling African American author, poet, and scholar. He is the author of the number one New York Times Best Seller, How the Word Is Passed, which won the 2021 National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction and was named one of the top ten books of 2021 by the New York Times.

KRLemmons African American Authors, African American children's literature, African American Graphic Novels, African American History, African American Nonfiction

365 Black Books Ibram X. Kendi Thursday

Happy birthday Ibram X. Kendi! Born August 13, Ibram Xolani Kendi is an African American author, professor, anti-racism activist, and historian of race and discriminatory policy in the U.S. He is author of books including Stamped from the Beginning, How to Be an Antiracist, Antiracist Baby, and Chain of Ideas.

KRLemmons African American Authors, African American autobiography, African American History, African American Nonfiction

365 Black Books James Howard Meredith Saturday

Belated birthday wishes James Howard Meredith! Born June 25, 1933, James Howard Meredith is an African American civil rights activist, writer, political adviser, and United States Air Force veteran who became, in 1962, the first African-American student admitted to the racially segregated University of Mississippi after the intervention of the federal government. He wrote a memoir about his experience.