1. A Garden of Black Joy: Global Poetry from the Edges of Liberation by Kiese Laymon
Sam’s pick
This anthology of poems, interviews, and essays spotlights black joy not only as a resource of abundance, but as a mode of self-defense. Poets from Berlin to Kiambu, Antwerp to London, and beyond provide a sketch of what black joy means in this moment and how to make use of it in the name of the future.
2. They Call me George: The Untold Story of the Black Train Porters by Cecil Foster
Lorraine’s pick
Cecil Foster has written a wonderful book of Canadian History and how the struggle of Black train porters for better wages, working conditions and access to better jobs was both thwarted and supported by governments and labour. He also directly links their advocacy to the opening of Canadian immigration policy to all people of colour from around the world.
3. The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill
Christina’s pick
From the moment Lawrence Hill took to the podium at our YMCA of Greater Toronto 2013 Black History Month event, I was riveted by his reading of Chapter 1 from his novel, The Book of Negros. The book is, “a sweeping story that transports the reader from a tribal African village to a plantation in the southern United States, from the teeming Halifax docks to the manor houses of London…” Since his reading at the Central YMCA, the book has gone on to become a National best seller, a CBC mini-series and a Canadian classic.
4. And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
Ellah’s pick
And Still I Rise is made up of 32 short poems, divided into three parts. The poems' themes focus on a hopeful determination to rise above difficulty and discouragement, and on many of the same topics as Angelou's autobiographies and previous volumes of poetry. Two of her most well-known and popular poems – “Phenomenal Woman” and “Still I Rise” – are found in this volume. She speaks for her race and gender in many of the poems, and again emphasizes the strength and resiliency of her community.
5. Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
Hellen’s pick
This autobiography is for those aspiring to bring change in society and for the historians. Mostly interested in social issues like inequality and racism, Nelson Mandela believed that change is inevitable and the length or process doesn’t matter. Through determination and courage, he ended “apartheid” – another term for racism used in South Africa. He became one of the greatest ‘moral & political leaders’ in history.
6. The Biography of Mahommah Gardo
Bruna’s pick
Baquaqua: His Passage from Slavery to Freedom in Africa and America by Robin Law and Paul Lovejoy A historic study of the biography of Mahommah Gardo Baquaqua, born in West Africa, enslaved in Brazil and an abolitionist in Canada.
7. Becoming by Michelle Obama
Garth’s pick
An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States.
8. The Hanging of Angélique by Afua Cooper
Kerise’s pick
Writer, historian and poet Afua Cooper tells the astonishing story of Marie-Joseph Angélique, a slave woman convicted of starting a fire that destroyed a large part of Montréal in April 1734 and condemned to die a brutal death. In a powerful retelling of Angélique’s story, Cooper builds on 15 years of research to shed new light on a rebellious Portuguese-born Black woman who refused to accept her indentured servitude. At the same time, Cooper completely demolishes the myth of a benign, slave-free Canada, revealing a damning 200-year-old record of legally and culturally endorsed slavery.
9. Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
Nicole’s pick
A powerful, bold true story about the potential for mercy to redeem us, and a clarion call to fix America's broken system of justice – from one of the most brilliant and influential lawyers of our time.
10. All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks
Farheen’s pick
All About Love is a revelation about what causes a polarized society and how to heal the divisions that cause suffering. hooks offers a rethinking of self-love (without narcissism) that will bring peace and compassion to our personal and professional lives, and asserts the place of love to end struggles between individuals, in communities, and among societies.
*Some publisher descriptions included
Sam’s pick
This anthology of poems, interviews, and essays spotlights black joy not only as a resource of abundance, but as a mode of self-defense. Poets from Berlin to Kiambu, Antwerp to London, and beyond provide a sketch of what black joy means in this moment and how to make use of it in the name of the future.
2. They Call me George: The Untold Story of the Black Train Porters by Cecil Foster
Lorraine’s pick
Cecil Foster has written a wonderful book of Canadian History and how the struggle of Black train porters for better wages, working conditions and access to better jobs was both thwarted and supported by governments and labour. He also directly links their advocacy to the opening of Canadian immigration policy to all people of colour from around the world.
3. The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill
Christina’s pick
From the moment Lawrence Hill took to the podium at our YMCA of Greater Toronto 2013 Black History Month event, I was riveted by his reading of Chapter 1 from his novel, The Book of Negros. The book is, “a sweeping story that transports the reader from a tribal African village to a plantation in the southern United States, from the teeming Halifax docks to the manor houses of London…” Since his reading at the Central YMCA, the book has gone on to become a National best seller, a CBC mini-series and a Canadian classic.
4. And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
Ellah’s pick
And Still I Rise is made up of 32 short poems, divided into three parts. The poems' themes focus on a hopeful determination to rise above difficulty and discouragement, and on many of the same topics as Angelou's autobiographies and previous volumes of poetry. Two of her most well-known and popular poems – “Phenomenal Woman” and “Still I Rise” – are found in this volume. She speaks for her race and gender in many of the poems, and again emphasizes the strength and resiliency of her community.
5. Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
Hellen’s pick
This autobiography is for those aspiring to bring change in society and for the historians. Mostly interested in social issues like inequality and racism, Nelson Mandela believed that change is inevitable and the length or process doesn’t matter. Through determination and courage, he ended “apartheid” – another term for racism used in South Africa. He became one of the greatest ‘moral & political leaders’ in history.
6. The Biography of Mahommah Gardo
Bruna’s pick
Baquaqua: His Passage from Slavery to Freedom in Africa and America by Robin Law and Paul Lovejoy A historic study of the biography of Mahommah Gardo Baquaqua, born in West Africa, enslaved in Brazil and an abolitionist in Canada.
7. Becoming by Michelle Obama
Garth’s pick
An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States.
8. The Hanging of Angélique by Afua Cooper
Kerise’s pick
Writer, historian and poet Afua Cooper tells the astonishing story of Marie-Joseph Angélique, a slave woman convicted of starting a fire that destroyed a large part of Montréal in April 1734 and condemned to die a brutal death. In a powerful retelling of Angélique’s story, Cooper builds on 15 years of research to shed new light on a rebellious Portuguese-born Black woman who refused to accept her indentured servitude. At the same time, Cooper completely demolishes the myth of a benign, slave-free Canada, revealing a damning 200-year-old record of legally and culturally endorsed slavery.
9. Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
Nicole’s pick
A powerful, bold true story about the potential for mercy to redeem us, and a clarion call to fix America's broken system of justice – from one of the most brilliant and influential lawyers of our time.
10. All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks
Farheen’s pick
All About Love is a revelation about what causes a polarized society and how to heal the divisions that cause suffering. hooks offers a rethinking of self-love (without narcissism) that will bring peace and compassion to our personal and professional lives, and asserts the place of love to end struggles between individuals, in communities, and among societies.
*Some publisher descriptions included
