Books about African American “Firsts”
In honor of black history month, we have compiled a list of books celebrating first achievements by African Americans that have led to major cultural shifts. They are grouped for adults, teenagers/young adults, and children, and can be borrowed from the Roslindale Library!
Adults
Black Firsts: 4,000 Ground-breaking and Pioneering Historical Events
By Jessie Carney Smith
Presents over four thousand accomplishments by African Americans in the fields of entertainment, business, civil rights, education, government, journalism, religion, science, sports, and music.
The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
By Barack Obama
America’s first black president Barack Obama addresses twenty-first-century politics in the United States, commenting on economic insecurities of citizens, race, religion, terrorism, threat of a pandemic, and other related issues.
Jackie Robinson: A Biography
By Arnold Rampersad
The extraordinary life of Jackie Robinson is illuminated as never before in this full-scale biography by Arnold Rampersad, who was chosen by Jack’s widow, Rachel, to tell her husband’s story, and was given unprecedented access to his private papers.
Shirley Chisholm: Catalyst for Change, 1926-2005
By Barbara Winslow
A staunch proponent of breaking down racial and gender barriers, Shirley Chisholm had the esteemed privilege of being a pioneer in many aspects of her life. She was the first African-American woman elected to the New York State legislature and, later, the United States House of Representatives. She also made a run for the Democratic Party nomination for president in 1972. Focusing on Chisholm’s lifelong advocacy for fair treatment, access to education, and equal pay for all American minority groups, this book explores the life of a remarkable woman in the context of twentieth-century urban America and the tremendous social upheaval that occurred after World War II.
Young Thurgood: The Making of A Supreme Court Justice
By Larry Gibson
A close examination of Thurgood Marshall’s earlier formative years in Maryland when his personality, attitudes, priorities, and work habits had crystallized.
Soldiers in the Army of Freedom: The 1st Kansas Colored, the Civil War’s First African-American Combat Unit
By Ian Michael Spurgeon
It was 1862, the second year of the Civil War, though Kansans and Missourians had been fighting over slavery for almost a decade. For the 250 Union soldiers facing down rebel irregulars on Enoch Toothman’s farm near Butler, Missouri, this was no battle over abstract principles. These were men of the First Kansas Colored Infantry, and they were fighting for their own freedom and that of their families. They belonged to the first black regiment raised in a northern state, and the first black unit to see combat during the Civil War. Soldiers in the Army of Freedom is the first published account of this largely forgotten regiment and, in particular, its contribution to Union victory in the trans-Mississippi theater of the Civil War. As such, it restores the First Kansas Colored Infantry to its rightful place in American history.
The Echo From Dealey Plaza: The True Story of the First African-American on the White House Secret Service Detail and His Quest for Justice After the Assassination of JFK
By Abraham Bolden
The first African-American agent to serve on the White House Secret Service detail describes the racism he confronted, his efforts to expose the Secret Service’s negligence in JFK’s assassination, and the destruction of his career due to a false bribery charge.
Hero of Hispaniola: America’s First Black Diplomat, Ebenezer D. Bassett
By Christopher Teal
More than one hundred and thirty years ago, Ebenezer D. Bassett served as the first black United States ambassador. In the midst of the aftermath of the Civil War, the U.S. government broke the color barrier by naming this leading educator, abolitionist, and activist to the controversial post of the hemisphere’s Black Republic – Haiti.
Teens/Young Adults
African-American Firsts: Famous, Little-known and Unsung Triumphs of Blacks in America
By Joan Potter
This fascinating collection of little-known African-American achievers contains over 400 entries and 75 pages of photographs. The people are arranged by profession-literature, science and medicine, military, sports, entertainment, business, history, law and government, etc.-and the time period spans from the beginning of this country to the present. The authors provide concise, important background information on each subject, some of which is personal.
The Life of Bessie Coleman: First African-American Woman Pilot
By Connie Platz
Describes the life of the pilot, including her early childhood, how she learned to fly by moving to France, her dream of opening a flight school for African Americans, and her tragic death during a stunt gone wrong.
Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles, America’s First Black Paratroopers
By Tanya Lee Stone
Examines the role of African-Americans in the military through the history of the Triple Nickles, America’s first black paratroopers, who fought against attacks perpetrated on the American West by the Japanese during World War II.
Remember My Name: My Story, From First Pitch to Game Changer
By Mo’ne Davis
Mo’ne’s story is one of determination, hard work, and an incredible fastball. Mo’ne is a multisport athlete who also plays basketball and soccer and is an honor-roll student at her school in Philadelphia.
Mary Eliza Mahoney and the Legacy of African American Nurses
By Susan Muaddi Darraj
Mahoney was the first African-American woman to break down the barriers and gain admittance to the nursing profession in the United States.
Rufus Estes’ Good Things to Eat: The First Cookbook by An African-American Chef (eBook)
By Rufus Estes
Includes nearly 600 mouth-watering recipes: chicken gumbo, chestnut stuffing with truffles, cherry dumplings, southern style waffles, and scores of other dishes from haute cuisine to family-style meals. Of special value to anyone interested in the African-American experience.
The Life of Benjamin Banneker: The First African-American Man of Science
By Silvio Bendini
Whether Banneker was the absolute first or not is debatable, but he undeniably was one of the earliest African American men of science (1731-1806). This updated edition of the 1972 original has been expanded to include new photos and information on his African roots gleaned from his archives and manuscripts as well as archaeological artifacts from his home.
Children
Phillis Wheatley: First African-American Poet
By Carol Green
Young children can now enjoy a biography series written just for them. Rookie Biographies introduce the beginning reader to interesting people who helped shape history. With short, easy-to-understand text, historical photos, and eye-catching illustrations, these introductory biographies will motivate children into wanting to learn more about noted individuals.
Matthew Henson
By B.A. Hoena
Simple text and photographs describe the life of Matthew Henson, co-discoverer of the North Pole in 1909
Mae Jemison: The First African American Woman Astronaut
By Liza Burby
Briefly traces the life of the first African-American woman to go into space, from her childhood in Chicago through her education and work as a doctor to her historic flight.
Michelle Obama: Meet the First Lady
By David Bergen Brophy
Michelle Obama has been by her husband’s side throughout his historic presidential campaign, a dynamic personality whether she is delivering speeches or hitting the dance floor on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Follow the story of a hardworking girl growing up on the South Side of Chicago and how she has inspired our nation to believe in the American Dream that her life exemplifies. In her own stirring words: America should be a place where you can make it if you try. Written by David Bergen Brophy, this in-depth biography captures the heart and soul of the First Lady behind the campaign for change.
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