Black History Month is an important time to honour and celebrate the rich legacy, achievements, and contributions of Black individuals and communities around the world. It's also an opportunity to engage with stories and perspectives that inspire, challenge, and educate us. Whether you're looking for a gripping book, a powerful movie, an insightful podcast, or a thought-provoking influencer to follow, this list has something for everyone.
We asks students to share their recommendations and here's what they said:
Movies
- The Hate U Give: A teenage girl grapples with activism and racial injustice after witnessing her friend's fatal shooting by a police officer.
- Hidden Figures: The untold story of three brilliant African American women whose work at NASA was instrumental in the success of early space missions.
- Judas and the Black Messiah: The story of Fred Hampton, the chairman of the Illinois Black Panther Party, and the betrayal that led to his assassination by the FBI.
- Black Panther: T'Challa, the king of Wakanda, must defend his nation from internal and external threats while embracing his role as the Black Panther.
- City of God: The rise of organized crime in Rio de Janeiro's favelas is told through the eyes of two young boys growing up in the slums.
- Moonlight: A tender coming-of-age story about a young Black man navigating his identity and sexuality in a rough Miami neighbourhood.
- 42: The inspirational story of Jackie Robinson, the first African American to break Major League Baseball's colour barrier.
- Harriet: The biographical account of Harriet Tubman's courageous journey from slavery to leading hundreds to freedom via the Underground Railroad.
- Malcolm X: A biographical portrait of the life, activism, and transformation of Malcolm X, one of the most influential figures in the civil rights movement.
- Selma: The powerful story of the 1965 marches from Selma to Montgomery, led by Martin Luther King Jr., that helped secure voting rights for Black Americans.
- Straight Outta Compton: The rise and impact of the iconic rap group N.W.A., whose music addressed the realities of life in South Central Los Angeles.
- Dear White People: A satirical drama that explores racial tensions at a predominantly white Ivy League university through the lives of its Black students.
- Get Out: A young Black man uncovers a terrifying secret while visiting his white girlfriend’s family in this psychological thriller about race and exploitation.
- Fruitvale Station: A heart breaking dramatization of the last day in the life of Oscar Grant, a young Black man unjustly killed by a police officer in Oakland, California.
- If Beale Street Could Talk: A young African American couple fights for justice after the man is wrongfully imprisoned, in this poetic tale of love and resilience.
- Hotel Rwanda: A hotel manager risks his life to shelter over a thousand refugees during the Rwandan genocide.
Books
These books not only promote the voices and perspectives of Black authors, but many of them are also available in the Community Library (Ground Floor, Devonshire House), making them accessible resources for everyone.
- The Hate You Give – Angie Thomas: After witnessing the police shooting of her best friend, Starr Carter navigates the pressures of activism, systematic racism and her divided communities.
- Beloved – Toni Morrison: A formerly enslaved woman is haunted by the ghost of her dead daughter, dealing with her painful past in post-Civil War America.
- The Lonely Londoners – Sam Selvon: The novel follows a group of Caribbean immigrants as they struggle to adapt to life in 1950s London, highlighting themes of displacement and identity.
- Invisible Man – Ralph Elison: An unnamed Black man recounts his journey through a racist America, exploring his search for identity and visibility in a society that refuses to see him.
- Passing – Nella Larsen: The story examines racial identity and the practice of ‘passing’ through the lives of two mixed race childhood friends who reunite as adults in 1920s Harlem.
- The Color Purple – Alice Walker: This novel tells the story of Celie, a poor African American woman in the rural South, who overcomes oppression, abuse and isolation to find her voice and power.
- Things Fall Apart – Chinua Achebe: The rise and tragic fall of Okonkwo, a proud Igbo leader, are portrayed against the backdrop of colonialism and the transformation of African society.
- Girl, Woman, Other – Bernardine Evaristo: This novel weaves together the stories of twelve Black British women across generations, exploring their struggles, relationships, and identities.
- Say Her Name – Kimberle Crenshaw: A powerful exploration of how Black women are disproportionately affected by police violence and often overlooked in discussions about racial injustice.
- Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race – Reni Eddo-Lodge: This non-fiction book examines the structural racism ingrained in British society, calling for an urgent conversation on race and privilege.
- Americanah – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: A Nigerian woman reflects on her life and experiences with race and identity after moving to the United States and returning to Nigeria.
- Hood Feminism – Mikki Kendall: This collection of essays critiques mainstream feminism for neglecting the struggles of women of colour and the marginalized, advocating for a more inclusive movement.
- The Shoulders we stand on - Preeti Dhillon: A tribute to the overlooked contributions of Britain’s Asian and Black communities to the fight for equality.
- Black and British: A Short, essential history - David Olusoga: An accessible exploration of the long and rich history of Black people in Britain, spanning centuries.
- This is not America - Tomiwa Owolade: A critical examination of how race relations in Britain are distinct from the American experience, urging for a more nuanced conversation.
- "I Will Not Be Erased": Our stories about growing up as people of colour -Gal-dem: A collection of personal essays exploring the complexities of growing up as people of colour in modern Britain.
- The mixed-race experience - Natalie Evans: Insights into the unique challenges and perspectives of mixed-race individuals navigating their identity.
- One of them - Musa Okwonga: A powerful memoir reflecting on the author’s experiences as a Black student at the elite Eton college.
- Brit(ish) - Afua Hirsch: A thought-provoking exploration of identity, race and belonging in modern Britain, written from the perspective of a mixed-race individual.
- Ordinary People - Diana Evans: A novel that weaves the lives of two Black British couples, exploring love, parenthood and the challenges of contemporary urban life.
- Love in Color - Bolu Babalola: A vibrant collection of love stories from myth, history and contemporary life, centring Black characters and cultures.
- Let the Light Pour In - Lemn Sissaty: A deeply personal and moving poetry collection reflecting on identity, belonging and healing.
- Taking Up Space - Chelsea Kwakye & Ore Ogunbiyi: A guide and manifesto for Black women navigating predominantly white educational institutions and advocating for change.
Podcasts
- Still Processing: Hosted by New York Times writers Jenna Wortham and Wesley Morris, it covers culture, television, film, music, and more.
- Sista Brunch: A relaxed and fun interview style podcast where Black women and gender expansive people in entertainment and media reveal how they broke into the industry.
- 1619: Produced by The New York Times, it delves into the history and legacy of slavery in the United States.
- Questlove Supreme: Hosted by musician Questlove, it features interviews and discussions on music and culture.
- Black History Buff Podcast: Explores often overlooked stories and people of African American history.
- The Nod: A podcast about Black culture and history.
- Notes From America: A weekly podcast hosted by Kai Wright, this show dives deep into conversations about race, class, gender and the economy.
- Audacious Black Girl: Amanda Paul encourages other black women to live audaciously by embracing their authenticity through practicing radical self-care, self-love and acceptance.
Content/ Digital creators to follow
- Tomi Obebe: A versatile content creator who focuses on all things fashion, books and self-care.
- Tabitha Brown: Food and lifestyle content, she shares recipes and inspirational content on TikTok.
- Marques Brownlee: Software tutorials and technological reviews. He is often seen posting about mobile phones, cameras, accessories like earphones and other gadgets.
- Raye Boyce: She offers beauty and skincare tips.
- Angela Davis: She is popularly known as ‘The Kitchenista’ and is a popular Instagram food influencer. She posts about her cooking experiences and shares pictures and recipes of her daily food.