Seven works by Black creators to enjoy this Black History Month
Black History Month is almost over but it’s never too late to support Black creatives through reading, listening to or watching their works. Check out some of our recommendations to look at this month!
Read:
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
The cover art for “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett (Brit Bennett)
This historical fiction book by Bennett is based on two twin sisters that live vastly different lives once they run away from home at 16. One sister raises her Black daughter in her fictional hometown of Mallard, Louisiana while the other passes for white in Los Angeles, California, hiding her past from her white husband. The passionate and emotional story follows their lives from the 1950s through the 1990s. It explores how one’s racial background can influence their life decisions and family dynamics.
The 1619 Project
The cover art for “The 1619 Project” (1619 Project)
If you want to educate yourself this Black History Month, this book is for you. The 1619 Project is a Pulitzer-prize winning, long-form journalism project started by Nikole Hannah-Jones in Aug. 2019 for the New York Times Magazine. It created a framework to view American history and the role that slavery and systematic racism plays in it. It was first published online by the Times then translated into a book. The book includes 18 essays as well as 36 poems and other works of fiction that examine the present-day effects of slavery.
The Brown Sisters series
The cover art for “Get a Life, Chloe Brown,” the first book in the Brown Sisters trilogy (Amazon)
Talia Hibbert brings diversity and fun to this trilogy in this relatable romance series. This series by Talia Hibbert centers three Black sisters on their journey to find love. The three-part series includes 2019’s “Get a Life, Chloe Brown,” 2020’s “Take a Hint, Dani Brown,” and 2021’s “Act Your Age, Eve Brown.” Each book gives you something different with the sisters’ differing personalities and life problems as well as diverse love interests as well. If you start off with “Get a Life, Chloe Brown,” you’ll discover how Chloe has to step out of her geeky comfort zone in order to rebel and find love.
Watch:
Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker
Poster for “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker” (She Forges)
Madam C.J. Walker was a pivotal figure in Black hair history. She started a business selling the hair products she developed, eventually becoming the first Black woman millionaire. “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker” starring Octavia Spencer is a limited-edition series on Netflix released in 2020 that depicts Walker’s prolific life story. The show is based on the biography “On Her Own Ground” by A'Lelia Bundles, Walker’s great-great-granddaughter.
A Re-Imagining of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: Bel-Air
Jabari Bank stars as Will in “Bel-Air (Hollywood Reporter)
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was a classic comedy TV show loved by many back in the 90s. In 2022, Peacock will release “Bel-Air”, a new dramatic prequel of Fresh Prince that will explore the darker side of how Will came to Bel-Air, California. The show will star Jabari Banks as Will, Coco Jones as Hilary, Adrian Holmes as Uncle Phil, Cassandra Freeman as Aunt Viv and Olly Sholotan as Carlton. The show will be available to stream on Feb. 13.
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
The official poster for “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder” (IMDb)
The Proud Family was a staple in many people’s childhoods growing up watching Disney Channel. If you want to see more of the Proud Family’s hilarious adventures, look forward to Disney+'s revival of the show as the reboot “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.” The reboot will revive many of the original voice actors such as Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud along with new cast members such as Keke Palmer and Asante Blackk. The series releases on Disney+ Feb. 23.
Listen to:
The “We Don’t Bite” podcast
The official concept art for the “We Don’t Bite” podcast (Anchor)
If you’re looking to listen to casual conversations between two friends, go listen to the “We Don’t Bite” podcast. Influencers Afia (@Afiascorner) and Shaniah (@makeupbyshaniah) discuss cultural news, political opinions, sexuality and much more in their podcast while keeping the conversation light-hearted and fun. Anything that’s trending on Twitter, you’ll find them talking about it. “We Don’t Bite” is available on all podcast streaming platforms.