The Book of Awesome Black Americans: Scientific Pioneers, Trailblazing Entrepreneurs, Barrier-Breaking Activists and Afro-Futurists (Teen and YA Cultural Heritage, African-American Biographies)

by Monique L. Jones

Overview

Black Heroes Who Have Made Us a Better America

Activists and rap stars, abolitionists and pioneers, inventors and scientists surge with life throughout this thrilling and comprehensive work.” ―Jennifer Maritza McCauley, National Endowment for the Arts Fellow and author of Scar On / Scar Off

#1 Best Seller in Teen & Young Adult 21st Century U.S. History

Black Americans who have shaped their country and beyond. We are familiar with a handful of African Americans who are mentioned in American history books, but there are also countless others who do not get recognized in mainstream media. Their biographies vary greatly, but each one contributes to the course of Black history and its influence on America and the greater world. Their stories encourage teenage boys and girls, to find their own path to change.

Celebrate the successes made possible by diversity. African Americans have made history by challenging and changing the American landscape. This was accomplished not by shedding layers of originality, but by wearing their colors proudly and openly in the world. Growth has been made possible by a resistance to conformity and a fusing of cultures, African and American alike.

Monique L. Jones’s The Book of Awesome Black Americans is more than a Black history book. It’s a celebration of Black people. In this book, you will find:

• Amazing role models who brought on change by using their gifts and passions to overcome societal barriers
• Stories mainstream media failed to mention that are sure to inspire, motivate, and educate readers of all backgrounds
• Testimonies that demonstrate how American culture thrives when it celebrates diversity and promotes inclusiveness

If you enjoyed books such as 100 African-Americans Who Shaped American History, Bedtime Inspirational Stories, Black Pioneers of Science and Invention, or Becca Anderson’s The Book of Awesome Women, then The Book of Awesome Black Americans should be your next read!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781642501476
Publisher:	TURNER PUB CO
Publication date:	01/14/2020
Series:	Awesome Books
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	12 - 16 Years

About the Author

Monique L. Jones is an entertainment and pop culture writer, media critic, and TV/Film reviewer. Jones has written for ShockYa, TV Equals, Racialicious, Black Girl Nerds, The Nerds of Color, Tor, Ebony, Entertainment Weekly, SlashFilm, The Birmingham Times and The Miami New Times. She also writes about pop culture and media as it relates to race, culture, and representation at JUST ADD COLOR (colorwebmag.com).

Table of Contents

Introduction 11

Chapter 1 In the Beginning 15

Chapter 2 Making Boss Moves 41

Chapter 3 Little-Known Civil Rights Leaders 67

Chapter 4 Black Liberal Arts 97

Chapter 5 Beautiful Blackness 125

Chapter 6 Black American Environmentalists 145

Chapter 7 Black Stem 173

Chapter 8 Black Athleticism 199

Epilogue 223

Bibliography 225

About the Author 253

Who is an Awesome Black American to You? 254

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"The Book of Awesome Black Americans belongs on every coffee table in America. Monique Jones packs her book with astonishing stories of bravery, grit, and joy. The astonishing anecdotes of overlooked personalities and heroes will ensure you never look at history the same again. Who says history has to be boring?"
- Li Lai, founder of Mediaversity Reviews

"Monique Jones digs deep to provide little known facts and context for a marvelous assemblage of our unsung heroes.”
- Trey Mangum, The Hollywood Reporter contributor

“Monique L. Jones is my go-to for witty, bold and compassionate takes on pop culture. In The Book of Awesome Black Americans, Jones brings her impressive breadth of knowledge and slick style to this well-researched and endlessly exciting collection of Black American stories. The Book of Awesome Black Americans sheds new light on familiar heroes and showcases Black Americans we should be talking about more. Activists and rap stars, abolitionists and pioneers, inventors and scientists surge with life throughout this thrilling and comprehensive work. Read this book! It’s awesome.
-Jennifer Maritza McCauley, National Endowment for the Arts Fellow and author of SCAR ON/SCAR OFF

“Black history has always been more than one month, more than one chapter in a history book. Monique L. Jones’ Book of Awesome Black Americans show us that and more. Black people built America, despite being ripped from Africa via the act of global terrorism called the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. In her vital and thorough book, Jones writes the history we don’t learn in school, the history we need to truly understand the multitudes we contain as Black people. This is a textbook in Black excellence and contribution, and it begins a conversation many are too eager to stifle. Black people’s history did not begin in 1619, and our place in this country will continue to evolve for many years to come.”
-Ashley Jones, recipient of the Rona Jaffe Foundation Writer’s Award and author of the award-winning poetry collections, Magic City Gospel and dark // thing

"Monique Jones strikes the balance of fun and learning with her fantastic debut. The Book of Awesome Black Americans gives us an upbeat but necessary lesson on our unsung heroes."
-Joi Childs, Brand Marketer and Film/TV Critic