books
Bishop George Bloomer’s recent Barnes & Noble book signing in Durham, North Carolina, was not your run-of-the-mill literary event. Packed with fans of Bloomer’s TV show “Rejoice In The Word” (The Word Network), members of his nearby church, social media followers, and listeners of The Light 103.9FM radio, broadcasting live from the store, the event was filled […]
Best-selling author Luvvie Ajayi talks about her new book 'I'm Judging You,' microwave fame, and the Trump disaster.
Observed each year on August 9, (and sometimes on the first Saturday in November) bibliophiles get to celebrate on National Book Lovers Day! A day for all those who love to read, National Book Lovers Day encourages you to find your favorite reading place, a good book (whether it be fiction or non-fiction) and read the […]
Get ready, readers. There’s a brand new selection for Oprah’s Book Club. Oprah’s latest pick is The Underground Railroad, by Colson Whitehead. This novel, inspired by real-life events, tells the gripping story of a female slave on a heroic quest to escape captivity, via a literal railway system. It’s so imaginative and vivid, and […]
A building that once housed a neighborhood bar is now a community center for Philadelphia’s youth. After his mother passed away, Kevin Upshur transformed her bar into in hopes of of fulfilling her request that he give back to the neighborhood that reared him. “She said you’ve got to do something in the community. You’ve […]
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the publication of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry,by Mildred D. Taylor. Taylor, one of the first African-American children’s-book authors to gain widespread acclaim, later won the Newbery Medal for the book. Her work was pivotal in empowering black children to see themselves in young adult literature—inspiring a […]
This summer, in addition to the obvious 2016 warm-weather pastime of drinking watermelon water while listening to “Lemonade,” we’re looking forward to reading new books! Because, although we are big proponents of couch lounging, reading in the grass while using a book to shield your eyes from the sun has its particular joys. Thankfully, there’re […]
The barbershop, as seen in films like Barbershop: The Next Cutwhich hits theaters April 15, will always be a place to get a little wisdom, a little laughter, and yes, a sharp line-up. Boys who go to neighborhood barbershops in the Mobile and Pritchard, Alabama area are getting more than a haircut, too. They’re also […]
Stepping into Levels Barbershop in Harlem, New York, visitors hear the sounds of buzzing clippers filling the room, a basketball game on TV blending into the background and a conversation about politics engaging all the adults in the barbershop. It could be a scene from the popular film “Barbershop.” But there is one thing that […]
With the new year in full swing, it is time to get serious about resolutions. If your New Year’s goal was to read more, we’ve got you covered with this list of powerful reads by prominent Black authors. From Shonda Rhimes’ Year of Yes to Joy Ann Reid’s Fracture, these books will move you to […]
Today’s a day to celebrate The work of someone gone but great. Come on now, don’t be obtuse, Let’s all give thanks to Dr. Seuss. His name was Theodor Seuss Geisel And all the kids they think he’s swell. Born March 2, 1904 His family they brewed beer and more. By high school he was […]
Epic sagas, magical tales, historical novels, and multi-generational stories of love, loss, and family abound in this spring’s crop of prose and poetry by Black women writers. Usher in the season of rebirth, renewal, and reawakening with these great reads! Solemn by Kalisha Buckhanon Solemn Redvine dreams of stardom as her real life comes undone: […]