In response to growing efforts to restrict Black history education, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) has revived the concept of Freedom Schools, originally developed in the 1960s. These schools, designed to teach African-American history and empower future generations, will expand across the country.
Category: Books
Posted inBaltimore News
Divine Nine and community leaders rally behind Baltimore bookstore owner after racist messages
Urban Reads bookstore owner Tia Hamilton is facing racial attacks due to her magazine exposing prison corruption and wrongful convictions, prompting calls for Maryland officials to intervene and support the store.
Posted inBooks
Five books to read this year on the remarkable Dr. Vivien Thomas
Dr. Vivien Thomas, a pioneering figure in medical history, developed groundbreaking techniques in heart surgery without formal medical training and worked alongside Dr. Alfred Blalock at Vanderbilt University and Johns Hopkins University.
Posted inWord In Black
Racial Healing: What we can learn from Octavia Butler in times of chaos
Octavia Butler’s novels, including “Parable of the Sower,” seem to be chillingly prescient in the current social landscape, with her works serving as a roadmap for survival and a way to imagine alternate realities through a Black cultural lens.
Posted inBooks
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. and Stacy M. Brown’s groundbreaking book on the Transatlantic Slave Trade calls for action and education
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. has released a powerful new book, “The Transatlantic Slave Trade: Overcoming the 500-Year Legacy,” which examines the enduring impact of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and outlines a path forward for racial justice and economic empowerment.
Posted inNational News
Working Together: How members of the Black Press and Black labor movement changed the world
Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, AFRO publisher and CEO, discusses the collaboration between Black press and the Black labor union movement in her book, “Prayer and Pen,” which includes prayers and commentaries on labor, education, and more.
Posted inBooks
Three MLK- themed books to pick up and read in 2025
Recent books on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. offer readers a chance to reflect on the power of words and contemplation, as well as the transformative power of love and the ongoing battle for civil rights and equality.
Posted inCommentary
AFRO Publisher Carl J. Murphy (1922-1967): Fighting for freedom with ‘Prayer and Pen’
Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, CEO and Publisher of the AFRO-American Newspapers, has released a new book that includes prayers and proverbs from Carl Murphy, the publisher of the AFRO from 1922 to 1967, as well as photos, articles, and other information from the AFRO Archives.
Posted inArts & Culture
AFRO Book Corner: Nigerian culinary expert discusses new memoir, importance of sharing culture through food
Iquo Ukoh’s new book, “Memories on a Platter: My Journey with Nigerian Food,” explores the rich culture of Nigerian food, allowing Nigerians and members of the diaspora to understand their relationship with the cuisine.
Posted inBooks
Nine books for students to look out for in 2025
Nine upcoming books for Black K-12 students are set to be published in 2025, featuring diverse narratives that celebrate culture, history, and personal growth, empowering students to see themselves reflected and represented in literature.
Posted inBaltimore News
AFRO Publisher Dr. Frances ‘Toni’ Draper highlights work of Dr. Carl J. Murphy in new book, ‘Prayer and Pen’
Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, publisher and CEO of the AFRO-American Newspapers, has released a new book honoring her grandfather, Dr. Carl J. Murphy, and his contributions to the AFRO, including his prayers and legacy as a publisher.
Posted in!Front Page Arts and Entertainment
Nikki Giovanni laid to rest in Cincinnati
Nikki Giovanni, a prolific author and activist, was laid to rest in her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, following a public visitation in Blacksburg, Virginia, where she served as a Virginia Tech professor for more than three decades.
