These Remarkable Black Creators Take The Spotlight Of February’s Book Club

The Hill We Climb and Other Poems

by Amanda Gorman

You already know and love Amanda Gorman from her stunning poem she read at this year’s inauguration. Lucky for all of us, Amanda is releasing a collection of poems later this year! You’ll have to wait a bit for this one, but this book can be preordered now on Amazon and will be automatically delivered to your house (or Kindle!) when the book releases in September.

You can preorder Amanda’s collection on Amazon Prime here

The Truths We Hold: An American Journey

by Kamala Harris

If you want to get an inside look at the brilliant and inspiring mind of our Madam Vice President, look no further. The Truths We Hold is a “master class in problem solving, in crisis management, and leadership in challenging times.” It’s truly a can’t-miss at the beginning of our new Presidency.

You can order this book on Amazon Prime here or on Kindle here

Homegoing

by Yaa Gyasi

For a work of fiction that hits home just as hard as if it were true (because honestly, it probably was for someone), this book takes the cake. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi is about the “parallel paths of these sisters and their descendants through eight generations: from the Gold Coast to the plantations of Mississippi, from the American Civil War to Jazz Age Harlem.” This book gives an incredibly broad look at the unique challenges faced by Black people over centuries, and Gyasi weaves this story and the timelines together beautifully.

You can order this book on Amazon Prime here or on Kindle here

Soul

If you haven’t already seen Soul on Disney+, it’s time to change that. Soul follows the “life” of Joe Gardner, a passionate jazz pianist who’s just been presented with his dream opportunity when his life gets a bit…derailed. I don’t want to spoil too much, but I’m not exaggerating when I say this movie gave me an entirely new perspective on life. Watch it. Now.

Watch Soul on Disney+ here!

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

This inspiring drama stars Viola Davis as Ma Rainey and Chadwick Boseman as an aspiring trumpet player in the 1920’s. It’s a story about human ambition, passion, and creative autonomy in a white-dominated music industry. This was Chadwick Boseman’s final performance before his death in 2020 and it was nothing short of amazing and powerful.

You can watch Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom on Netflix here!

Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures is the stunning true story of three female African American mathematicians who played an invaluable role in the great US-Russia space race. This movie is an incredibly inspiring story of three amazing women who crossed seemingly insurmountable race and gender obstacles to be part of one of the greatest operations in human history. Watch it. Today.

You can watch Hidden Figures on Disney+ here!

Just Mercy

Just Mercy is an incredibly moving film based on a New York Times best-selling book about a true story of justice and redemption written by human rights lawyer and activist, Bryan Stevenson. It follows his story as a recent law graduate when he goes to Alabama to defend those who have been wrongly accused or can not afford proper representation. His first case is Walter McMillian (Jamie Foxx) who was falsely accused of murdering an 18-year old girl. Stevenson embarks on a journey navigating racism and prejudice within the American justice system as he tirelessly fights for McMillian’s life.

You can watch Just Mercy on Amazon Prime here!

Reid This Reid That

Reid This Reid That is a podcast hosted by Jacque Reid and Joy-Ann Reid, two play cousins/professional journalists who cover all things political, social, and black-girl-magic while keeping it funny and lighthearted. Check them out!

Confessions of a Werkaholic

Koereyelle absolutely SLAYS in this podcast — in fact, it was so successful it even prompted her to release a Confessions of a Werkaholic book! Koereyelle is an entrepreneur who talks about the success secrets of female bosses who are absolutely killing it in the business world. If you need some inspiration or just a hype lady, this is your new fav podcast!

The Nod

The Nod is the Black podcast that absolutely everyone needs in their lives. Hosts Brittany Luse and Eric Eddings tell the untold stories of Black lives and what it means to be Black, both in America and around the world. It’s eye-opening, downright informative, and the stories they tell are super gripping!