Black Americans and the ArtsLike this list

30 items

• Before Elvis

  the African American Musicians Who Made the King

  Lauterbach, Preston,

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  An account of four overlooked Black artists who preceded Elvis and inspired his music, appearance, and gestures.

• The Art of Ruth E Carter

  Costuming Black History and the Afrofuture, From Do the Right Thing to Black Panther

  Carter, Ruth E., 1960-

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  Presents the creative genius of Ruth E. Carter, the first African American woman to win an Oscar for costume design.

• Clothes to Make You Smile

  Patrick Kelly Designs His Dreams

  Pritchard, Eric Darnell,

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  A picture-book biography about the beloved fashion designer from Mississippi.

• The Black Panther Party

  a Graphic Novel History

  Walker, David, 1968-

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  Gripping illustrated history of the significance and impact of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense.

• Edmonia Lewis

  Walls, Jasmine,

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  Graphic nonfiction about the first Black and Native American sculptor to earn international acclaim.

• Agent Josephine

  American Beauty, French Hero, British Spy

  Lewis, Damien,

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  A thrilling biography of the dancer, singer, and actress, the first Black woman to appear in a major motion picture.

• Muddy Waters

  Muddy Waters, 1915-1983

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  An excellent introduction for neophytes and a great sampler for casual fans.

• The Harlem Renaissance

  100 Years of Black Culture

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  Lasting roughly from the 1910s through the mid-1930s, the period is considered a golden age for Black literature, music, stage performance, and art.

• Experience Hendrix

  the Best of Jimi Hendrix

  Hendrix, Jimi

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  Includes the live version of "The Star Spangled Banner" from Woodstock, with massive historical and cultural importance.

• Parable of the Sower

  Butler, Octavia E.,

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  Speculative fiction that begins in 2024, when society in the United States has grown unstable due to climate change, growing wealth inequality, and corporate greed.

• Basquiat

  The Unknown Notebooks

  Basquiat, Jean-Michel, 1960-1988

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  Contains numerous drawings and paintings with handwritten notes and poems.

• After the Rain

  Muddy Waters, 1915-1983,

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  Remakes of a lot of familiar songs, including "Honey Bee" and "Rollin' and Tumblin'," and also Muddy's own electric guitar.

• Make It Ours

  Crashing the Gates of Culture With Virgil Abloh

  Givhan, Robin,

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  Biography of the Rockford, Illinois-born fashion designer.

• Mahalia Jackson

  Queen of Gospel

  Jackson, Mahalia, 1911-1972

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  Hymns and sacred songs from the artist who was the link between the Blues and Soul.

• By Her Own Design

  a Novel of Ann Lowe, Fashion Designer to the Social Register

  Huguley, Piper,

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  Historical fiction about the Black designer of Jacqueline Bouvier's wedding dress.

• Sam Cooke at the Copa

  Recorded Live at the Copacabana, New York City, July 7 & 8, 1964

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  Includes "The Best Things in Life Are Free," "Bill Bailey," and "When I Fall in Love."

• When Broadway Was Black

  Gaines, Caseen

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  An in-depth look into the rise of the 1921 Broadway hit, Shuffle Along, the first all-Black musical to succeed on Broadway.

• You've Got to Learn

  Simone, Nina, 1933-2003,

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  Nina Simone in concert at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1966.

• Life Doesn't Frighten Me

  Angelou, Maya

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  Poetry by Angelou, illustrations by Jean-Michel Basquiat.

• The Swans of Harlem

  Five Black Ballerinas, Fifty Years of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History

  Valby, Karen,

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  The story of the Dance Theatre of Harlem and five of its trailblazing ballerinas who overcame racism and societal pressures to shatter artistic boundaries.