In the first volume of his presidential memoirs, Barack Obama tells the story of his journey from a young man searching for his identity to the leader of the free world. Candid and reflective, it follows his path from his early political career through the first years of his presidency.

Publisher Synopsis:

In Washington, D.C.’s powerful Black elite, legacy is everything. When a young heir to one of the city’s most influential institutions seeks funding to cement her future, a shadowy organization offers to help—but it could cost her far more than she’s willing to give.

Nina Johnson has always taken pride in belonging to The Tenth. After all, she’s following in the footsteps of her ancestors: Her great-great-grandmother founded the prestigious DC society—a space for influential African Americans—just forty years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Nina’s been elected to helm the organization, but she’s determined to escape the influence of her mother, who has led the organization with a steadfast commitment to tradition, all while keeping Nina under her freshly manicured thumb. Nina’s determined to forge her own path and do things differently: fewer stuffy, out-of-touch meetings and boring galas, more young people, and a swankier headquarters.

To realize her ambitions, Nina needs funding. So, when a wealthy white benefactor named Sienna Masters offers financial support in exchange for her participation in a mysterious project at a former public housing complex, The Orchard, Nina ignores her initial skepticism and agrees to a partnership. But as Nina and those closest to her piece together Sienna's true motives, they discover far more sinister forces at play, ones that exploit Nina's community for profit, with stakes that extend far beyond her ambitions for The Tenth. But how far is Nina willing to go to shape her future? And what is she willing to sacrifice along the way?

A whip-smart and sly social commentary on the complex interplay of race, class, and family legacy, A Very Special Episode will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Author Info:

Camille Acker is the author of the short story collection Training School for Negro Girls. She grew up in Washington, D.C., and holds a B.A. in English from Howard University and an M.F.A in Creative Writing from New Mexico State University. Her work has been published in The New York Times Book Review, Publishers Weekly, Electric Literature, and in the anthology On Girlhood: 15 Stories from the Well-Read Black Girl Library. Her writing has received support from the Tin House Residency program, Djerassi Resident Artists Program, Voices of Our Nations Arts, and Millay Colony for the Arts, among others. She was a recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship and named a Fellow by the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. She lives in Philadelphia, PA with her partner.

Civil rights icon and congressman John Lewis reflects on the lessons of the movement and offers a vision for meaningful change in our own time. A short, powerful guide to faith, patience, and nonviolent action from one of America's great moral leaders.

A Vision for Change and the Future of America

Chef and activist Bryant Terry remixes the flavors of Africa, the Caribbean, and the American South into vibrant plant based dishes. Packed with recipes, music pairings, and history, it is a celebration of the African diaspora on a plate.

Farm-Fresh African, Caribbean, and Southern Flavors Remixed [A Cookbook]

Publisher Synopsis:

Instead of growing closer over the years, sisters-in-law Giselle, Kamryn, Chanel, and Taylor are more distant than ever.

After almost a decade of marriage, Giselle is still childless, with the pangs of jealousy and feelings of inadequacy mounting each day. Kamryn loves her husband’s family, but she and Giselle have never gotten along, and she’s tired of always trying to keep the peace. Newly married Chanel is ecstatic to finally have the family she’s craved all her life, but the ongoing feud between her two sisters-in-law threatens that harmony. Meanwhile, Taylor is still trying to find her place in the family after a tragic and unexpected turn in her relationship.

As everything comes to a head during a weeklong anniversary celebration, the truth could tear them apart forever…or bring them together as the sisters they were meant to be.

Author Info:

Sheryl Lister is a multi-award winning author and has enjoyed reading and writing for as long as she can remember. She is a former pediatric occupational therapist with over twenty years of experience and often says she "played" for a living. A California native, Sheryl is a wife, mother of three daughters and a son-in-love, and grandmother to two special boys. When she's not writing, Sheryl can be found on a date with her husband or in the kitchen whipping up delicious meals and desserts to satisfy her inner foodie. Connect with her online at sheryllister.com; Instagram: @sheryllister; Facebook: @sheryllisterauthor; Twitter: @SherylLister

"With its unflinching excavation of our dark past, American Nightmare is a page turner with a message."
—Tayari Jones, New York Times bestselling author of Kin

In this haunting historical novel, a light-skinned Black man goes undercover to investigate lynchings in the South, only to be confronted by the very evil that has pursued him since childhood...

Clark Wendell White first encountered the Nightmare as a child during the Atlanta Race Riot of 1906, when he and his father stood guard over their family home. In the eyes of the mob of men wielding torches through the streets, Clark sensed this malevolent presence. It was then that the Nightmare took shape, burrowing deep into his mind and feeding on his fear. As Clark steps into adulthood, the Nightmare is always on his heels, threatening to overtake him.

Years later, the same haunting feeling drives Clark to the NAACP’s headquarters in New York City, where he answers an ad seeking light-skinned Black men for dangerous undercover work. As a spy for the NAACP, Clark investigates lynching sites, impersonating the very Nightmare that once tormented him.

As Clark descends deeper into this double life, another force rises: a new chapter of the Ku Klux Klan is introduced, right in the storied streets of New York City. Among its eager recruits is Sam Cahill, Walter’s first Nightmare, and the only one who can see past Walter’s disguise. Now Clark must outwit both the living and the dead as he confronts a past that refuses to stay buried and a future where the cost of passing could sacrifice more than his soul.

Inspired by the life of civil rights activist Walter White, who passed as a white man to expose the brutality of lynchings from the Midwest to the South, American Nightmare is a gripping work of historical fiction that reveals the most terrifying monsters aren’t those that go bump in the night but those that walk among us.

Historian Paul Ortiz tells a 200 year story of Black and Latinx solidarity and struggle, connecting movements for freedom across the Americas. An eye opening history of how these communities have fought side by side for justice.

Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz retells the history of the United States from the perspective of Indigenous peoples, centering four centuries of resistance to colonization. A clear, powerful corrective to the version many of us learned in school.

Travel back in time to the great civilizations of ancient Africa, including the Land of Punt, Carthage, the Kingdom of Aksum, and the Mali Empire. An engaging, easy to read overview of the rulers, trade, and cultures that shaped the continent.

A Captivating Guide to Civilizations of Ancient Africa

Publisher Synopsis:

From National Book Award-winning, New York Times-bestselling author and renowned poet Elizabeth Acevedo comes a white-knuckle journey to self-understanding and doing the right thing, no matter the cost.

Lil is anything but small. She’s rebellious, she's loyal; she's figuring out what kind of good person she wants to be, or if she wants to be a good person at all. But more than anything? Lil wants to be free. When her instinct for freedom leads to another stay in D.C. juvenile detention, Lil knows she’s lucky to just be on probation. But judgment, guilt, and an ankle monitor weigh heavily on her, and she can’t shake that pinned-down feeling. The only person who might understand is her big brother, Aldwin. Except he’s more distant now than just the hundred miles where he’s away at college. Something’s been off with him for a couple of months, but only Lil seems to realize how important it is to get to him. As her court hearing ticks closer, a question looms over Lil as the missed phone calls and strange texts from her brother pile up: will she follow the rules until her sentencing, or put her future freedom on the line?

Author Info:

Elizabeth Acevedo is the New York Times-bestselling author of The Poet X, which won the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, the Michael L. Printz Award, the Pura Belpré Award, the Carnegie Medal, the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, and the Walter Award. She is also the author of With the Fire on High—which was named a best book of the year by the New York Public Library, NPR, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal—and Clap When You Land, which was a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor book and a Kirkus Prize finalist. She holds a BA in Performing Arts from The George Washington University and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Maryland. Acevedo has been a fellow of Cave Canem and Cantomundo, and a participant in the Callaloo Writer’s Workshops. She is a National Poetry Slam Champion, and resides in Washington, DC, with her family.

Neil deGrasse Tyson explains the biggest ideas about the universe, from the Big Bang to black holes and dark matter, in short, witty chapters you can read on the go. Astrophysics for the rest of us.

Dr. Joe Dispenza combines neuroscience, meditation, and real life stories to show how people are changing their minds, bodies, and lives. A practical guide for readers drawn to mindfulness, energy, and personal transformation.

How Common People Are Doing the Uncommon

From a scholar and dedicated member of the BeyHive comes an an in-depth exploration of the lessons and affirmations of Beyoncé’s work and how her music continues to speak for the historically unspoken for.

This is not a Beyoncé biography. This is a love letter to a musician whose songs star in our first dances, our workout playlists, and our justice movements. A celebration of a woman who, in a pop world so often seen as shallow, brings dimension through themes of confidence, feminism, Blackness and queerness. BEYONCÉ—One of One urges readers to move beyond Beyoncé’s iconic image to recognize the far-reaching cultural and societal impact of her artistry.

A poet, scholar, and dedicated member of the BeyHive, Antonia King offers a distinct blend of cultural theory and personal insights to write an accessible analysis of Beyoncé’s influence separated into four distinct acts:

- Beyoncé’s rise to fame
- How she redefined Blackness in pop culture
- The power of her music
- Her life as a performer

With a deep appreciation for Beyoncé’s oeuvre and a commitment to highlighting the power of Black, Brown, and queer voices, King brings a unique perspective to this examination of Beyoncé’s impact and growing legacy.

Publisher Synopsis:

Step into the vibrant streets of the 1970s Bronx and witness the exact moment a global movement began. Birth of a Culture gives you a front-row seat to the origins of hip-hop, told through the firsthand experiences of Grandmaster Flash—one of the founding pioneers who helped build the culture from the ground up.

When you read this book, you feel the pulse of the neighborhood parks, hear the scratch of the vinyl, and experience the raw energy of a community turning its daily struggles into a revolutionary art form. This is not just a collection of dates and facts. It is a deeply personal narrative written by Grandmaster Flash and coauthor Robert “Scoop” Jackson that brings you into the rooms and onto the streets where music changed forever.

What you will discover inside:

• An Authentic Pioneer Perspective: Read a personal narrative from the mind of Grandmaster Flash, complete with untold stories of the earliest park jams and legendary club nights.

• The Blueprint of a Movement: Understand exactly how DJing, MCing, break dancers, and graffiti artists merged to form the core pillars of a massive cultural shift.

• Untold History Revealed: Uncover the real stories behind the evolution of hip-hop and culture.

• Timeless Cultural Relevance: Explore how the innovation born in the Bronx directly influences the music, art, and social movements you interact with every day.

This book cuts through the myths to deliver an authentic, chronological history—bringing you alongside Grandmaster Flash as he invents the groundbreaking Quik Mix Theory and helps transform a landscape of social unrest into a global movement. With turntables and microphones, the young innovator sparked a cultural explosion that quickly swept the world.

More than a timeline of musical milestones, this Birth of a Culture explores the profound power of community, resilience, and unapologetic creativity. The challenges and triumphs detailed within these pages mirror the social issues we still face, proving that music remains our most vital tool for connection and change.

Whether you are a lifelong hip-hop fan, a dedicated music historian, or simply someone who loves powerful stories of cultural triumph, this book belongs on your shelf. Once you’ve read Birth of a Culture, you can say you know the undeniable heartbeat of hip-hop's true origins.

Author Info:

Grandmaster Flash, born Joseph Saddler on January 1, 1957, is recognized as one of Hip Hop’s architects and builders of the culture, the first DJ to make the turntable a musical instrument by the way of his Quik Mix Theory formula and homed devices.

Grandmaster Flash’s technical innovations and artistic contributions have earned him numerous accolades. His impact on the music industry extends beyond his own successful career, as his innovative formula and sounds were translated to sound producing technologies and have inspired generations of DJs, producers and hip-hop artists to push the boundaries of creativity.

“What a beautiful gift of a narrative this is. So much love on every page. A fabulous celebration of the brilliance of Black boys.” —JACQUELINE WOODSON, author of the New York Times bestseller The Day You Begin

An empowering picture book celebrating Black boys everywhere--acknowledging their strengths, recognizing the hurdles they face, and encouraging them to forge ahead with confidence

Powerful words and radiant art come together in this stunning picture book that celebrates the beauty, talent, and dignity of Black boys. Featuring a variety of boys with a wide range of dreams, this uplifting book reflects a rich tapestry of identities. We see our boys as they make their way in the world, overcome hurdles, and hold a treasured place in the lives of their families and communities—and the greatness within each and every one of them shines through.

A Saga of Ambition and the Fight for a Black State

The remarkable story of Edward McCabe, a Black man who tried to establish a Black state within the United States.

In this paradigm-shattering work of American history, Caleb Gayle recounts the extraordinary tale of Edward McCabe, a Black man who championed the audacious idea to create a state within the Union governed by and for Black people — and the racism, politics, and greed that thwarted him.

As the sweeping changes and brief glimpses of hope brought by the Civil War and Reconstruction began to wither, anger at the opportunities available to newly freed Black people was on the rise. As a result, both Black and white people searched for new places to settle. That was when Edward McCabe, a Black businessman and a rising political star in the American West, set in motion his plans to found a state within the Union for Black people to live in and govern. His chosen site: Oklahoma, a place that the U.S. government had deeded to Indigenous people in the 1830s when it forced thousands of them to leave their homes under Indian Removal, which became known as the Trail of Tears.

McCabe lobbied politicians in Washington, D.C., Kansas, and elsewhere as he exhorted Black people to move to Oklahoma to achieve their dreams of self-determination and land ownership. His rising profile as a leader and spokesman for Black people, as well as his willingness to confront white politicians, led him to be known as Black Moses. And like his biblical counterpart, McCabe nearly reached the promised land but was ultimately foiled by politics, business interests, and the growing ambitions of white settlers who also coveted the land.

In Black Moses, Gayle brings to vivid life the world of Edward McCabe: the Black people who believed in his dream of a Black state, the white politicians who didn’t, and the larger challenges of confronting the racism and exclusion that bedeviled Black people’s attempts to carve a place in America for themselves. Gayle draws from extraordinary research and reporting to reveal an America that almost was.

The Revolutionary Life of the Black Bookstore

Longtime NBC News reporter Char Adams writes a deeply compelling, rigorously reported history of Black political movements, told through the lens of Black-owned bookstores, which have been centers of organizing from abolition to the Civil Rights Movement to Black Lives Matter.

In Black-Owned, Char Adams celebrates the living history of Black bookstores. Packed with stories of activism, espionage, violence, community, and perseverance, Black-Owned starts with the first Black-owned bookstore, which an abolitionist opened in New York in 1834, and after the bookshop’s violent demise, Black book-lovers carried on its cause. In the twentieth century, civil rights and Black Power activists sparked a nationwide Black bookstore boom. Malcolm X gave speeches in front of the National Memorial African Book Store in Harlem—a place dubbed “Speakers’ Corner”—and later, Black bookstores became targets of FBI agents, police, and racist vigilantes. Still, stores continued to fuel Black political movements.

Amid these struggles, bookshops were also places of celebration: Eartha Kitt and Langston Hughes held autograph parties at their local Black-owned bookstores. Maya Angelou became the face of National Black Bookstore Week. And today, a new generation of Black activists is joining the radical bookstore tradition, with rapper Noname opening her Radical Hood Library in Los Angeles and several stores making national headlines when overwhelmed by demand during the Black Lives Matter era. As Adams makes clear, in an age of increasing repression, Black bookstores are needed now more than ever.

Full of vibrant characters and written with cinematic flair, Black-Owned is an enlightening story of community, resistance, and joy.

Author Info:

Char Adams is a former reporter for NBC News and People, and her writing on race and identity has appeared in the New York Times, The New Republic, Oprah Daily, Vice, Teen Vogue, and Bustle. She hosted COVID University New York, one of the first podcasts to chronicle the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. She is a proud Philadelphia native and now lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

A stunning large format photo book celebrating the life and legacy of Bob Marley, from Trenchtown to global icon. A coffee table treasure for every reggae lover and Caribbean household.

Publisher Synopsis:

A publicist discovers that everything’s bigger in Texas—even love—in the next swoony romance from beloved author Alexa Martin.

Luna Starr was destined for a life with her head in the clouds, and as one of the most sought-after publicists in romance publishing, her delusional tendencies serve her well…or at least they used to. After life threw her a curveball and her latest book launch failed, she decides it’s time to turn her cowboy fantasies into reality and purchases a tiny farm in Celestial, Texas.

Tate Jacobs hates cowboys, which is a small problem, considering his family happens to own the largest ranch in Celestial. Life might not have gone the way he wanted, but as head coach at his old high school and the town’s best (and only) handyman, he’s figured out how to stay busy and keep his head down—until the new girl in town shows up.

As Tate and Luna spend more time together, unexpected feelings and undeniable chemistry bubble to the surface. Luna might’ve moved to Celestial to make her cowboy dreams come true, but somewhere beneath the Friday night lights, she discovers that love in the real world can be far better than she imagined.

Author Info:

Alexa Martin lives in Dallas with her husband, four children, and German Shepherd. The Playbook Series was inspired by the eight years she spent as a NFL wife and her deep love of all things pop culture, sparkles, leggings, and wine. When she’s not dreaming up her next romance hero, you can find her catching up on whatever Real Housewives franchise is currently airing or filling up her Etsy cart with items she doesn’t need.

Isabel Wilkerson reveals the hidden caste system that has shaped America, drawing powerful comparisons with India and Nazi Germany. Through history and personal stories, she shows how rigid hierarchies affect all of our lives and how we might move beyond them.