10 Books That Inspire Multifaceted Black Excellence
by Yasmine Jameelah
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June 29, 2022

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10 Books That Inspire Multifaceted Black Excellence

There is no one route to Black excellence, and as we expand our creativity, our awareness to the many ways that our genius can thrive should also expand. Black Excellence should be honored on graduation stages, in boardrooms, in the comment section of diverse safe spaces online, in community events, arenas, and more. There are many paths to success and forward movement. This month Black Love is highlighting all forms of Black Excellence along with Penguin Random House and All Ways Black, highlighting change-makers, chefs, and celebrities who have impacted the world. Here are ten books that inspired the varied entry points to success. 

Politics 

“A Promised Land” by Barack Obama 

10 Books That Inspire Multifaceted Black Excellence
Courtesy of Penguin Random House

In the stirring, highly anticipated first volume of his presidential memoirs, Barack Obama tells the story of his improbable odyssey from young man searching for his identity to leader of the free world, describing in strikingly personal detail both his political education and the landmark moments of the first term of his historic presidency — a time of dramatic transformation and turmoil.

Music

“The Beautiful Ones” by Prince

10 Books That Inspire Multifaceted Black Excellence
Courtesy of Penguin Random House

Prince was a musical genius, one of the most beloved, accomplished, and acclaimed musicians of our time. The Beautiful Ones is the story of how Prince became Prince — a first-person account of a kid absorbing the world around him and then creating a persona, an artistic vision, and a life, before the hits and fame that would come to define him. 

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Fashion 

“Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem” by Daniel R. Ray

10 Books That Inspire Multifaceted Black Excellence
Courtesy of Penguin Random House

With his now-legendary store on 125th Street in Harlem, Dapper Dan pioneered high-end streetwear in the 1980s, remixing classic luxury-brand logos into his own innovative, glamorous designs. But before he reinvented haute couture, he was a hungry boy with holes in his shoes, a teen who daringly gambled drug dealers out of their money, and a young man in a prison cell who found nourishment in books. In this remarkable memoir, he tells his full story for the first time.

Liberation 

“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou

10 Books That Inspire Multifaceted Black Excellence
Courtesy of Penguin Random House

Maya Angelou’s debut memoir is a modern American classic beloved worldwide. “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” captures the longing of lonely children, the brute insult of bigotry, and the wonder of words that can make the world right. Maya Angelou’s debut memoir is a modern American classic beloved worldwide.

“Black Girl, Call Home” by Jasmine Mans

10 Books That Inspire Multifaceted Black Excellence
Courtesy of Penguin Random House

From spoken word poet Jasmine Mans comes an unforgettable poetry collection about race, feminism, and queer identity. With echoes of Gwendolyn Brooks and Sonia Sanchez, Mans writes to call herself — and us — home. Each poem explores what it means to be a daughter of Newark, and America — and the painful, joyous path to adulthood as a young, queer Black woman. “Black Girl, Call Home” is a love letter to the wandering Black girl and a vital companion to any woman on a journey to find truth, belonging, and healing.

“Becoming” by Michelle Obama

10 Books That Inspire Multifaceted Black Excellence
Courtesy of Penguin Random House

Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As First Lady of the United States of America — the first African American to serve in that role — she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives, and standing with her husband as he led America through some of its most harrowing moments.In her memoir, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her— from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. 

Chefs 

“Black Food” by Bryant Terry 

10 Books That Inspire Multifaceted Black Excellence
Courtesy of Penguin Random House

In this stunning and deeply heartfelt tribute to Black culinary ingenuity, Bryant Terry captures the broad and divergent voices of the African Diaspora through the prism of food. With contributions from more than 100 Black cultural luminaires from around the globe, the book moves through chapters exploring parts of the Black experience, from Homeland to Migration, Spirituality to Black Future, offering delicious recipes, moving essays, and arresting artwork. 

“Rodney Scott’s World of BBQ” by Rodney Scott and Lolis Eric Elie

10 Books That Inspire Multifaceted Black Excellence
Courtesy of Penguin Random House

Rodney Scott was born with barbecue in his blood. He cooked his first whole hog, a specialty of South Carolina barbecue, when he was just eleven years old. At the time, he was cooking at Scott’s Bar-B-Q, his family’s barbecue spot in Hemingway, South Carolina. Now, four decades later, he owns one of the country’s most awarded and talked-about barbecue joints, Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ in Charleston. In this cookbook, co-written by award-winning writer Lolis Eric Elie, Rodney spills what makes his pit-smoked turkey, barbecued spare ribs, smoked chicken wings, hush puppies, Ella’s Banana Puddin’, and award-winning whole hog so special. Moreover, his recipes make it possible to achieve these special flavors yourself, whether you’re a barbecue pro or a novice. 

Rising Stars 

“Black Futures” by Kimberly Drew and Jenna Wortham

10 Books That Inspire Multifaceted Black Excellence
Courtesy of Penguin Random House

Kimberly Drew and Jenna Wortham have brought together this collection of work — images, photos, essays, memes, dialogues, recipes, tweets, poetry, and more — to tell the story of the radical, imaginative, provocative, and gorgeous world that Black creators are bringing forth today. The book presents a succession of startling and beautiful pieces that generate an entrancing rhythm: Readers will go from conversations with activists and academics to memes and Instagram posts, from powerful essays to dazzling paintings and insightful infographics.

“Rising Troublemaker” by Luuvie Ajayi Jones 

10 Books That Inspire Multifaceted Black Excellence
Courtesy of Penguin Random House

Be too much, and use it for good. That is what it means to be a troublemaker. In this book, Luvvie Ajayi Jones — bestseller of books, sorceress of side-eyes and critic of culture – gives you the permission you might need to be the troublemaker you are, or wish to be. This is the book she needed when she was the kid who got in trouble for her mouth when she spoke up about what she felt was not fair. This book will help you face and fight your fear and start living that life. 

Find even more recommendations at the All Ways Black hub, and join the conversation by following @AllWaysBlack on Instagram.

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