African American & Black History

A compilation of resources related to Black history & justice efforts in the United States

About

Racial justice is not at all a new subject in the United States and has yet to be achieved, despite the supposed progress (which is often attributed to a transformation from overt to covert racism moreso than actual progress).

Many social inequities bubbled to the surface in pandemic years. In the summer of 2020, the US experienced (yet another) racial reckoning that involved police brutality, protests, legislation, and heated debates.

The global attention included a boom of interest in DEI and anti-racist education. A huge component of both is seeking out resources to provide the historical context that contributes to today’s environment. Ideally, this comes from those with lived experiences. There’s definitely not a shortage of material to work with.

Like many other well-intentioned white folks, I put ALL the “here’s why you should give a sh*t and try to be less racist” books on my TBR pile. I did (and still do, and will forever do) the work, and probably do so imperfectly. I’m not here to pretend to be an expert – that’s why I have collected the resources below and prioritized Black voices as best I can.

From these experts are some facts that should help frame the picture, wherever you are on your learning journey.

Facts & Figures

• Black Americans are incarcerated in state prisons at nearly 5 times the rate of white Americans. (The Sentencing Project, 2021)
• The 13th Amendment abolished only chattel slavery, not punitive slavery like the US prison labor system. (Legal Defense Fund, 2022)
• More than 80% of Black adults say the legacy of slavery affects the position of Black people in America today. (Pew Research, 2019)

Resources to Explore

Key Dates

In addition to the below observances and holidays, there are a ton of key dates associated with this topic, from when Portugal began to expand its empire into African nations, launching the Atlantic slave trade, to today. Learn more here!

Observances

3rd Monday in January: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Though proposed in 1968, this federal holiday wasn’t established until 1983. It honors the life and legacy of Dr. King and is also a national day of service.

Every February: Black History Month

Established in 1976, this annual observation seeks to honor and celebrate the contributions of Black and African American people throughout the history of the United States.

March 25: International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

Established in 2007 by the United Nations, this global observation selects a different theme each year to commemorate the lives lost in the Transatlantic slave trade and honor the reclamation of cultural identity.

December 26 – January 1: Kwanzaa

Established in 1966, a cultural holiday celebrating the Pan-African diaspora.

Want to learn even more about different cultural and cause-related observances? Check out the Social Impact Nerd Observation Calendar.

Organizations

Mission: The mission of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH®) is to promote, research, preserve, interpret and disseminate information about Black life, history and culture to the global community.

Mission: The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center is a Chicago community institution and the first non-profit Museum dedicated to the collection, documentation, preservation, study and the dissemination of the history and culture of Africans and African Americans.

Literature

Recommended reads include:

• Fiction by Black authors
• Essays and memoirs by Black authors and biographies of notable Black figures
• Scholarly works about Black history and social issues

Featured Book

Check out the whole Social Impact Nerd Bookshop for even more suggested reads. As an Affiliate, Social Impact Nerd will receive 10% of all sales made through its lists. You’ll be supporting local indie bookstores too!

Film & TV

The 1619 Project

Hulu’s six-part 1619 Docuseries is an expansion of “The 1619 Project” created by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and the New York Times Magazine. The series seeks to reframe the country’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of our national narrative

Podcasts

The Blackbelt Voices podcast propagates the richness of Black Southern culture by telling the stories of Black folks down South. Through first-person narratives and in-depth conversations, hosts Adena J. White, Kara Wilkins, and Katrina Dupins share the experiences of Black Southerners living in, loving, and reconciling with the region we call home.

The Black History Buff podcast is a fun and thrilling journey through time. Covering the full historical tapestry of the African Diaspora, you’ll hear tales covering everything from African Samurai to pistol-wielding poets. More than just a podcast, the show is a bridge that links communities throughout the African diaspora and enlightens and empowers its friends.