African American Biography

Have you ever wondered how the human spirit can rise above the most crushing circumstances to achieve greatness? In Up from Slavery, Booker T. Washington delivers a powerful and intimate account of his ascent from a child born into slavery to becoming one of the most significant educators in American history. This is not merely a historical record; it is a profound manual on succeeding against all odds.

He educated tens of thousands. His life story inspired millions. Now, the only complete and authorized biography of George Washington Carver, a great American humanitarian, scientist, teacher, and conservationist is back to print after 60 years. Did you know that . . .Carver was born a slave? Carver was the first Black student and the first Black faculty member at Iowa State University?

The unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of An African Love Story, Daphne Sheldrick's touching memoir about romance, life and elephants from Africa's greatest living conservationist. Read by Virginia McKenna, the star of Born Free and the Founder Trustee of the Born Free Foundation. An...

This story traces the childhood experiences of an African-American CIA officer. Unlike most books about the CIA, this one is deeply personal and offers an insight into the mind of an African-American spy. Learning from his positive and negative experiences proved essential to his success as a case officer in the covert services of the Central Intelligence Agency and helped him formulate a rewarding philosophy of life to live by....

New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice An award-winning author charts the poignant global journeys of African Americans as she explores her own transatlantic family odyssey in Beyond the Shores, a powerful history of living abroad while Black. “By exploring the life of Black...

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “A great American success story . . . an endearing and well-written book.”—The New York Times Book Review Colin Powell is the embodiment of the American dream. He was born in Harlem to immigrant parents from Jamaica. He knew the rough life of the streets...

Throughout history, African American musicians and artist have made a profound impact in music, they have given sound and voice through a wide variety of musical genres. Universally they have expressed emotions that is shared through faith, passion, joy, comfort, and injustice through songs that speaks directly to the heart and spirit. The incredible men and woman featured in this book are responsible for creating some of the most iconic songs ever recorded in the history of music.

The book details an African American mother's rise from the poverty of being orphaned at age 4 with 15 siblings, the lessons her struggles and rise taught her children, and her approach to single motherhood and parenting. Her tactics and rationale are backed by scripture, practical application, doctoral level studies, research and professional journals. She teaches that a life without excuses is a life without limits. If she did it, you too can succeed in spite of....

The purpose of this audiobook is an awkward discussion of Eric Heard’s life to his son. He talks about his life in a candid way that tries to explain his anxiety as an African American dad. It is an open and honest account of his life through the life of a child that has been through a lot in his life. It is a reflection on his life that has been shaped by his childhood experiences.

Last of the Lions is two histories woven into one remarkable story. It’s a personal journey—the evocative life of Clarence B. Jones, from his depression- and segregation-era upbringing at the hands of caring Irish Catholic nuns through our current era (when the U.S. elected as President, back-to-back, the first African American to hold the office and a former game show host who dog-whistled to white supremacists).

Starting with Lucy Terry of the early 18th century and finishing with poet laureate Rita Dove, this inspiring anthology edited by Catherine Clinton captures the enormous talent and passion of black poets. Powerful and diverse, I, Too, Sing America is a forum for voices baring their souls, speaking their minds, tracing their roots, and proclaiming their dreams.

Malcolm X was a widely known African American Muslim minister and civil liberties leader at the time of the civil liberties movement. He was an enthusiastic supporter for Black emancipation and the big promotion of Islam within the Black community till 1964, when he ended up being the Country of Islam's spokesperson. Following his dad's death and his mom's institutionalization, Malcolm spent his teenage years in a series of foster families or with loved ones. He took part in some unlawful acts before being sentenced to 10 years in jail for larceny and breaking and going into in 1946.

Dr. Jordan B. Smith, Jr. became the first African-American to become the Color Company Commander at the United States Naval Academy (Annapolis or USNA) in 1976. The Class of 1976 African Americans set the pathway for changes, by demonstrating that Blacks and other minorities had earned the right to be in Annapolis. The incidents and events are authentic. This audiobook is about one of the Black men who graduated from the Naval Academy in 1976.

Unveiling Our Story: Intimate African American Narratives is a powerful and timely tribute to the voices that history too often tries to silence. In an era where African American history is being questioned, diluted, and even erased, this audiobook stands as a bold act of remembrance and resistance. Through deeply personal accounts from individuals closely connected to the author, this collection reveals the triumphs and trials of Black life in America over the past century. These stories-raw and resilient-shine a light on the enduring legacy of racism, but they also go far beyond it.

Discover the extraordinary stories of African American trailblazers in this vibrant and inspiring alphabet book! From Maya Angelou to Malcolm X, Rosa Parks to Thurgood Marshall, this book introduces young listeners to the heroes who changed history through courage, creativity, and determination. Each story highlights a remarkable figure, bringing their achievements to life with fun, easy-to-understand descriptions. This book is an engaging way to explore Black history while inspiring kids to dream big and make a difference.

This heartfelt picture book biography, adapted for audio, tells the story of MaVynee Betsch, an African American opera singer turned environmentalist and the legacy she preserved. MaVynee loved going to the beach. But in the days of Jim Crow, she couldn't just go to any beach--most of the...

How did Oprah Winfrey do to become the world's most well-known female personality as well as a successful entrepreneur? It turns out it was not just all luck. Her mantra, "Turn Your Wounds Into Wisdom," served her well from an early age, especially after tragically losing her first child and later when she worked to turn her life dreams into reality.

"Ibram X. Kendi narrates his well-researched biography of Malcolm X 100 years after Malcolm's birth. Kendi vividly shares Malcolm's family's difficulties..." — Kirkus National Book Award–winning and #1 New York Times–bestselling author Dr. Ibram X. Kendi brings an American icon to life in...

This captivating Little Golden Book biography celebrates Beyoncé's rise from a shy little girl to a world-famous superstar. Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Beyoncé performed in various singing and dancing...

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 actions may not have appeared to shake the world, but their contributions to shifting American culture were just as groundbreaking.