One of the amazing things about black history month is the opportunity to hear, read, and learn from different voices than we normally do. This month so many of our instagram and facebook feeds are full of books to read, podcasts to listen to, and movies to watch. But maybe you have no idea where to start when it comes to all of these new resources to take in. We believe that February not only is a month where we can focus on learning more about black history, but we can broaden our horizons and intentionally seek to learn from voices that we have not heard before. There is a great number of amazing resources by black authors, artists, filmmakers and hosts that we can learn from this month.
Our staff wanted to take some time to recommend a couple of resources that we think would be great to engage with this month as we seek to celebrate black history. Below is a collection of resources that some of our staff have picked out that we believe will amplify black voices, educate and inform from a black perspective, and will be fun to engage with. We hope these resources are a help to you as you seek to celebrate black history!
“The Black Jacobins: Toussaint L'Ouverture and the San Domingo Revolution”.
Book by C.L.R. James
The thing I love the most about the book is that it shows two different sides of slavery. It shows the nasty side of slavery that is filled with pain and brokenness. It also shows how present-day Haiti managed to work with Slave owners to create a healthy new economy that was a win-win for everyone. There was a successful slave revolution not because they decided to fight everyone but because they realized that working together to create a healthy economy was more sustainable.
The first ten pages of the book will lock you in with an unforgettable description of what would happen to slaves regularly. It will bring you to the lowest of the lows of the human race. Then amaze you with how the slaves managed to earn their freedom.
Beleaf in Fatherhood.
Website & Vlog by Glen Henry
I would recommend every person who has a family, is a father, or just looking for wholesome, fun, positive, family videos to watch check out Beleaf in Fatherhood on YouTube. It focuses on parenting from a Christian father’s perspective. The fears, challenges, and realness of it all.
“Everyone deserves to see what being a good father looks like. I created Beleaf in Fatherhood to be the proof. To equip fathers, bring hope to mothers, and inspire children.” Quote by Glen
Fatherhood is Dope.
Podcast by Aaron McGee
Fatherhood is Dope is a podcast hosted by Aaron McGee, a black man who was spurred to start this podcast out of an overflow of joy, love, and fear for fatherhood. Unfortunately, there is a stigma tied to minorities in that our dads are not around; I feel it even just in conversations when I’m telling my story. “Is or was your dad around?” is sure to be asked early on. This podcast champions fatherhood from a minority perspective; its purpose is to both celebrate but also be a resource for fathers, hear from different minority fathers from all walks of life and even some familiar voices such as Bryan Loritts.
Truth’s Table.
Podcast by Michelle Higgens, Dr. Christina Edmondson & Ekemini Uwan
I absolutely love the Truth’s Table podcast. The hosts of the show are three amazing Black women who love Jesus and who love to proclaim truth. Their show speaks about culture, their families, the Church, justice, and everything and anything between from a Christian perspective. What I love about this podcast is that they are unapologetically their black selves and allow this to come through in every aspect of their show, while also centering everything around the Biblical truth of Scripture.
More Resources
Books
Movies