Non-Fiction Books About Inspirational Black Figures for All Children

It's important that all kids and especially educators know that black children can be good at maths, science, politics and have the capabilities to be great leaders.

How do we know this? Because there are many black people who have achieved great things in these fields and all children should have the opportunity to read about the contributions that all people have made to society.

It's important that black children know that they can do anything they put their minds to and reading non-fiction books helps them to plant their dreams in reality with inspiration from the encouraging journeys of those who have paved the way. Reading non-fiction books about people who look like them can help to build confidence in their identity, ability, and ambitions.

It is just as important for white children to read non-fiction books about black figures because it helps remove the stereotypes society places on black children, it shows them some of the ways black people have contributed to society and it gives them insight to the challenges different people face throughout life. Reading non-fiction books about black figures can help white children to recognise and respect cultural differences.

Last but not least it is important for educators to read about the many ways black people continue to succeed throughout history in spite of the setbacks many have had to face. Teachers will rarely find historical achievements by black people woven into the school curriculum so it is important that they have a point of reference to avoid seeing black children through the lens of negative stereotypes.

Our expectation of what we consider "realistic" is heavily based on what we see and know to be true, so it is important that we are always expanding our knowledge and awareness so that we don't become guilty of limiting ourselves and others.

As many are discovering, there are a lot of books out there, so I thought I'd share a few non-fiction books that are focused on inspirational black figures.

I've also added some brief info to help you out if you are a little unfamiliar with some of the people featured. Hopefully, this will get the ball rolling for you!

Look Up with Me

Neil deGrasse Tyson: A Life Among the Stars

Author | Jennifer Berne

Illustrator | Lorraine Nam

Bio | Neil DeGrasse Tyson is an American astrophysicist, cosmologist, planetary scientist and author. Tyson earned his bachelor's degree in Physics from Harvard University and a doctorate in astrophysics from Columbia University in 1991. Neil deGrasse Tyson decided he wanted to become an astrophysicist at age nine, after his first visit to New York City’s Hayden Planetarium. Less than 30 years later, he was appointed its director.

Mae Jemison: Blast off into space like

Author | Caroline Moss

Illustrator | Sinem Erkas

Bio | Mae Carol Jemison is an American engineer, physician, and former NASA astronaut who became the first black woman to travel into space. Jemison is a professionally trained dancer, and studied chemical engineering at Stanford University when she was only 16 years old! Dr. Jemison is the principal of the 100 Year Starship Project, which has set a goal to ensure we have the capability for human travel beyond our solar system to another star in the next 100 years.

Barack Obama & Michelle Obama

Harvard Law School graduates and The 44th President and First Lady of the United States

Book Title | Who Is Barack Obama?

Author | Roberta Edwards

Book Title | Who Is Michelle Obama?

Author | Megan Stine

Katherine Johnson

NASA mathematician who calculated trajectories for early space flights to help send astronauts to the Moon.

Book Title | Reaching for the Moon: The Autobiography of NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson

Author | Katherine Johnson

Book Title | The Extraordinary Life of Katherine Johnson

Author | Devika Jina

Illustrator | Maggie Cole

Martin Luther King Jr.

African American minister, activist and leader in the civil rights movement.

Book Title | The Story of Martin Luther King Jr.: A Biography

Author | Christine Platt

Book Title | The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr

Author | Martin Luther King Jr.

Paul Stephenson OBE: Memoirs of a Black Englishman

Author | Paul Stephenson

Bio | Paul Stephenson OBE, is a activist and long-time civil rights campaigner. In 1963 Stephenson led a boycott of the Bristol (UK) Omnibus Company, protesting against its refusal to employ Black or Asian drivers or conductors. After a 60-day boycott supported by thousands of Bristolians, the company revoked its colour bar in August 1963, the same month as Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

Marcus Garvey

The Life and Legacy of the Jamaican Political Leader Who Championed Pan-Africanism

Author | Charles River Editors

Bio | On 1st August 1914 political activist, publisher, and entrepreneur, Marcus Garvey launched the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League and by 1926, the membership of the U.N.I.A. had grown to over 11 million members worldwide, making Marcus Garvey the founder of the largest Black organization in history. In 1929 Garvey went on to create the People’s Political Party (PPP) which was Jamaica's first modern political party.

Mansa Musa and the Empire of Mali

Author | P. James Oliver

Bio | Mansa Musa is the richest man who ever lived, reigning over an empire that was the second largest in the world at the time, spanning roughly 9 present-day African countries. The enormous wealth that the Mali Empire possessed meant that Mansa Musa could afford to build educational institutions, palaces, mosques, markets, and a plethora of other social centers. These places helped to transform the socio-economic livelihoods of the people in the Mali Empire.

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