Young Gifted and Black: Meet 52 Black Heroes from Past and Present
“…to be revisited again and again…The candy-colored pages and straightforward stories are hard to resist…” –The New York Times “…diverse collection of iconic figures…vibrantly illustrated…beautifully crafted volume…” –Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review“…exuberant…exquisitely designed…a launching point for more discoveries.” –School Library Journal, Starred Review“A luminous and diverse tribute to black movers and shakers across the centuries.” –Publishers
“…to be revisited again and again…The candy-colored pages and straightforward stories are hard to resist…” –The New York Times
“…diverse collection of iconic figures…vibrantly illustrated…beautifully crafted volume…” –Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
“…exuberant…exquisitely designed…a launching point for more discoveries.” –School Library Journal, Starred Review
“A luminous and diverse tribute to black movers and shakers across the centuries.” –Publishers Weekly
Meet 52 icons of color from the past and present in this celebration of inspirational achievement—a collection of stories about changemakers to encourage, inspire, and empower the next generation of changemakers. Jamia Wilson has carefully curated this range of black icons and the book is stylishly brought together by Andrea Pippins’ colorful and celebratory illustrations.
Written in the spirit of Nina Simone’s song “To Be Young, Gifted, and Black,” this vibrant book is a perfect introduction to both historic and present-day icons and heroes. Meet figureheads, leaders, and pioneers such as Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and Rosa Parks, as well as cultural trailblazers and athletes like Stevie Wonder, Oprah Winfrey, and Serena Williams.
All children deserve to see themselves represented positively in the books they read. Highlighting the talent and contributions of black leaders and changemakers from around the world, readers of all backgrounds will be empowered to discover what they too can achieve. Strong, courageous, talented, and diverse, these extraordinary men and women’s achievements will inspire a new generation to chase their dream…whatever it may be.
The 52 icons: Mary Seacole, Matthew Henson, Ava Duvernay, Bessie Coleman, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Cathy Freeman, George Washington Carver, Malorie Blackman, Harriet Tubman, Mo Farah, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jesse Owens, Beyonce Knowles, Solange Knowles, Katherine Johnson, Josephine Baker, Kofi Annan, Langston Hughes, Toni Morrison, Brian Lara, Madam C.J. Walker, Yannick Noah, Maurice Ashley, Alexandre Duma, Martin Luther King, Jr., Maya Angelou, Nina Simone, Simone Biles, Stevie Wonder, Esperanza Spalding, Sidney Poitier, Oprah Winfrey, Pele, Nelson Mandela, Louis Armstrong, Rosa Parks, Naomi Campbell, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Muhammad Ali, Shirley Chisholm, Steve McQueen, Zadie Smith, Usain Bolt, Wangari Maathai, Mae Jemison, W.E.B. Du Bois, Nicola Adams, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, and Misty Copeland.
If you like this book, check out Step Into Your Power and Big Ideas for Young Thinkers, by the same author-illustrator team.
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Beautifully illustrated mini-biographies of political, cultural and sport luminaries Wow – this book is both a wonderful way to share heroic stories of bold, talented champions for representation and equality AND a powerful way to begin difficult conversations with young children.Reading these short biographical profiles has opened up conversations about slavery, gender equality, racist government structures, a wide range of awards and recognitions, and diverse concepts â from debate clubs to immigration (and that was just in the Shirley Chisholm bio)…
In the welcome letter the book is described as a love letter to our ancestors and the next generation of … This book is an incredible add to our families Black History Month collection. However, beyond just one month, this book has 52 incredible descriptions of leaders, so you can read it all year long–one story per week. I had the pleasure of interviewing Jamia Wilson, author of âYoung, Gifted & Black,â for the Parenting for Liberation podcast. In our interview we dig into this incredible book that highlights 52 Black heroes across the diaspora. In the welcome letter the book is described as a…
Inspirational My nephew loves it!! If this young man says “It’s great!!!” I have no doubt that it is anything less. He says the book is in excellent shape. Thanks for giving JX reason to continue his love of reading. Let’s get them started young so that this young love of books continues into adulthood that can be passed on to his younger generation. I might have to buy this for myself.aunt angie