2020 was quite the year. In the beginning of the year, the pandemic swept around the world and effectively upended our daily lives. By summer, the racial reckoning in the United States had intensified with numerous Black Lives Matter protests taking place, in response to the continued and senseless killing of Black people. The entire year seemed like an endless stream of disheartening news. In the midst of all this tumult and weariness, UCLA Library’s International & Area Studies (IAS) Department wanted to inject some joy by highlighting Black creativity during Black History Month (BHM) and, thus in 2021, BHM Quick Picks made its debut. The guide was meant to showcase a selection of Black creators in the current literature, film, and social media landscapes.
This year, IAS has partnered with Powell Library for our second annual BHM Quick Picks, and we are highlighting more Black content to read, watch, and follow. We hope that, each year, this guide will introduce you to something new or reacquaint you with an old favorite. We welcome your comments and feedback.
Read
Afro-Nostalgia: Feeling Good in Contemporary Black Culture (2021) by Badia Ahad-Legardy
" . . . Badia Ahad-Legardy mines literature, visual culture, performance, and culinary arts to form an archive of black historical joy for use by the African-descended . . . " (Publisher's description)
Beasts of Prey (2021) by Ayana Gray
"In this blockbuster fantasy series . . . fate binds two Black teenagers together as they journey into a magical jungle to hunt down a vicious monster." (Publisher's description)
Black Cowboys of Rodeo: Unsung Heroes from Harlem to Hollywood and the American West (2021) by Keith Ryan Cartwright; foreword by Danny L. Glover
"They ride horses, rope calves, buck broncos, ride and fight bulls, and even wrestle steers. They are Black cowboys, and the legacies of their pursuits intersect with those of America’s struggle for racial equality, human rights, and social justice . . . " (Publisher's description)
Black Girl, Call Home (2021) by Jasmine Mans
" . . . Each poem explores what it means to be a daughter of Newark, and America—and the painful, joyous path to adulthood as a young, queer Black woman." (Publisher's description)
Black Trans Feminism (2022) by Marquis Bey
" . . . Theorizing black trans feminism from the vantages of abolition and gender radicality, Bey articulates blackness as a mutiny against racializing categorizations . . . " (Publisher's description)
The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey Into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred (2021) by Chanda Prescod-Weinstein
"In The Disordered Cosmos, Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein shares her love for physics . . . to the physics of melanin in skin, to the latest theories of dark matter — all with a new spin informed by history, politics, and the wisdom of Star Trek." (Publisher's description)
The Final Revival of Opal & Nev: A Novel (2021) by Dawnie Walton
"An electrifying novel about the meteoric rise of an iconic interracial rock duo in the 1970s, their sensational breakup, and the dark secrets unearthed when they try to reunite decades later for one last tour." (Publisher's description)
Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America (2020) by Marcia Chatelain
" . . . [A]cclaimed historian Marcia Chatelain uncovers a surprising history of cooperation among fast food companies, black capitalists, and civil rights leaders, who . . . believed they found an economic answer to the problem of racial inequality." (Publisher's description)
Hood Feminism: Notes From the Women That a Movement Forgot (2020) by Mikki Kendall
"In her searing collection of essays, Mikki Kendall takes aim at the legitimacy of the modern feminist movement, arguing that it has chronically failed to address the needs of all but a few women." (Publisher's description)
Mouths of Rain: An Anthology of Black Lesbian Thought (2021) by Briona Simone Jones
" . . . Taking its title from a poem by Audre Lorde, Mouths of Rain addresses pervasive issues such as misogynoir and anti-blackness while also attending to love, romance, 'coming out,' and the erotic." (Publisher's description)
The Office of Historical Corrections: A Novella and Stories (2020) by Danielle Evans
"With The Office of Historical Corrections, Evans zooms in on particular moments and relationships in her characters’ lives in a way that allows them to speak to larger issues of race, culture, and history." (Publisher's description)
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies (2020) by Deesha Philyaw
"The nine stories in this collection feature four generations of characters grappling with who they want to be in the world, caught as they are between the church’s double standards and their own needs and passions." (Publisher's description)
The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation (2021) by Anna Malaika Tubbs
" . . . These women, their similarities and differences, as individuals and as mothers, represent a piece of history left untold and a celebration of Black motherhood long overdue." (Publisher's description)
Transcendent Kingdom (2020) by Yaa Gyasi
"Gifty is determined to discover the scientific basis for the suffering she sees all around her. But even as she turns to the hard sciences to unlock the mystery of her family's loss, she finds herself hungering for her childhood faith . . . " (Publisher's description)
Unapologetic: A Black, Queer, and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements (2018) by Charlene A. Carruthers
"Drawing on Black intellectual and grassroots organizing traditions . . . Unapologetic challenges all of us engaged in the social justice struggle to make the movement for Black liberation more radical, more queer, and more feminist . . . " (Publisher's description)
Unbossed: How Black Girls Are Leading the Way (2022) by Khristi Lauren Adams
" . . . Eight young Black women are profiled, including the founder of a child literacy nonprofit, political activists, and a school shooting survivor who launched a political action committee to prevent gun violence . . . " (Publisher's description)
Watch
American Skin (2021) directed by Nate Parker
"A Marine veteran working as a school janitor tries to mend his relationship with his son after a divorce. When his son is killed by a police officer found innocent without standing trial, he takes matters into his own hands." (IMDB description)
Black Art: In the Absence of Light (2021) directed by Sam Pollard
"An in-depth look at the works of up-and-coming Black visual artists." (IMDB description)
Candyman (2021) directed by Nia da Costa
"A sequel to the horror film, Candyman (1992), that returns to the now-gentrified Chicago neighborhood where the legend began." (IMDB description)
Clemency (2019) directed by Chinonye Chukwu
"As she prepares to execute another inmate, Bernadine must confront the psychological and emotional demons her job creates, ultimately connecting her to the man she is sanctioned to kill." (IMDB description)
Enslaved (2020) directed by Simcha Jacobovici
"A look at 400 years of human trafficking from Africa to the New World, from the perspective of three different storylines.'" (IMDB description)
Exterminate All the Brutes (2021) directed by Raoul Peck
"The path to the new world, an unsettling and intricate story of genocides. Conquest, slavery and the fabrication of 'Whiteness.'" (IMDB description)
Farewell Amor (2020) directed by Ekwa Msangi
"Reunited after 17 years, an Angolan immigrant is joined in the U.S. by his wife and daughter. Now strangers sharing a one-bedroom apartment, they discover a shared love of dance that may help them overcome the distance between them." (IMDB description)
The Harder They Fall (2021) directed by Jeymes Samuel
"When an outlaw discovers his enemy is being released from prison, he reunites his gang to seek revenge." (IMDB description)
High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America (2020-2021) directed by Roger Ross Williams
"Black food is American food. Chef and writer Stephen Satterfield traces the delicious, moving throughlines from Africa to Texas in this docuseries." (IMDB description)
A Journal for Jordan (2021) directed by Denzel Washington
"1st Sgt. Charles Monroe King, before he is killed in action in Baghdad, authors a journal for his son intended to tell him how to live a decent life despite growing up without a father." (IMDB description)
King Richard (2021) directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green
"A look at how tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams became who they are after the coaching from their father Richard Williams." (IMDB description)
Luce (2019) directed by Julius Onah
"A married couple is forced to reckon with their idealized image of their son, adopted from war-torn Eritrea, after an alarming discovery by a devoted high school teacher threatens his status as an all-star student." (IMDB description)
Respect (2021) directed by Liesl Tommy
"Following the rise of Aretha Franklin's career from a child singing in her father's church's choir to her international superstardom, Respect is the remarkable true story of the music icon's journey to find her voice." (IMDB description)
Summer of Soul (2021) directed by Questlove
" . . . Summer of Soul is a feature documentary about the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival which celebrated African American music and culture, and promoted Black pride and unity." (IMDB description)
Swagger (2021) created by Reggie Rock Bythewood
"Inspired by Kevin Durant's youth basketball playing experience on the AAU circuit." (IMDB description)
Tina (2021) directed by Daniel Lindsay and T.J. Martin
"Exclusive access to the Grammy Award-winning artist to celebrate her career." (IMDB description)
The United States vs. Billie Holiday (2021) directed by Lee Daniels
"Follows Holiday during her career as she is targeted by the Federal Department of Narcotics with an undercover sting operation led by black Federal Agent Jimmy Fletcher, with whom she has a tumultuous affair." (IMDB description)
Vernon Jordan: Make It Plain (2020) directed by Dawn Porter
"Explore Vernon Jordan's rise from the segregated South, his tenure as the head of civil rights organizations, and his current position as a partner at a law firm. He is one of the most influential African American leaders in America."(Kanopy description)
Zola (2021) directed by Janicza Bravo
"A stripper named Zola embarks on a wild road trip to Florida." (IMDB description)
Follow
Aja Barber @ajabarber
Barber is a Virginia-born writer, stylist, and fashion consultant whose work deals with the intersections of sustainability and the fashion landscape.
Blair Imani @blairimani
An award-winning educator, Imani creates lessons about gender studies, race and racism, and United States history.
Dominique @black.roots.herbals
Dominique is an AfroIndigenous poet and healer, who specializes in plant-based spirit work.
Dr. Thema @dr.thema
Dr. Thema is a minister and psychologist, who incorporates sacred dance and spoken word in therapy.
Ev’Yan Whitney @evyan.whitney
Whitney is a sex educator, sexuality doula, and host of the Sensual Self podcast.
Jenné Claiborne @sweetpotatosoul
Claiborne is a vegan chef, who shares easy-to-make cooking recipes and healthy eating tips.
Kev @theplantpapi
Kev is a licensed mental health therapist, who provides advice on mental health topics and shares his love of plants, sneakers, and art.
Outdoor Afro HQ @outdoorafro
Outdoor Afro is a non-profit organization that connects Black nature lovers with each other.
Sarah Nsikak @sarahnsikak
Nsikak is a Nigerian American sustainable artist and designer, who exclusively uses recycled material to make hand-quilted pieces.
Sophia Roe @sophia_roe
Roe is a well-regarded chef, writer, and host of a VICE TV show, Counter Space, for which she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy.
Podcasts
The Stacks with Traci Thomas
Hosted by Traci Thomas, The Stacks is a podcast that doubles as a source for book recommendations and a space for conversations about all things literary.
The Stoop with Leila Day and Hana Baba
Hosted by Leila Day and Hana Baba, The Stoop explores stories from the Black diaspora.
TikTok
Alexis Nikole @alexisnikole
A foraging enthusiast, Alexis Nikole teachers her followers about wild food and shares videos of meals made using foraged ingredients.
August DeWindt @theres.food.at.home
DeWindt is a self-taught cook, who loves trying new recipes and making cooking less intimidating.
Christian Paul @_christianpaul
An Atlanta-based baker, Christian Paul is known for creating his own line of custom chocolate bars.
Demarcus Shawn @artbydemarcusshawn
Shawn is known for using a comedic touch to capture everyday life.
Antonio Neville @heytonytv
Neville is a comedian known for his skits about the high school experience.
Jex Nwalor @jexnwalor
Nwalor is a TikTok sensation, who has amassed millions of followers by playing the ukulele.
Kena Peay @kenapeay
Peay is an outdoor enthusiast and chef known for demystifying the outdoors, as well as for sharing some amazing recipes of food that she makes on the trails.
Robert Lucas @thesweetimpact
Lucas is a self-taught baker, who is known for decorating mesmerizing cakes.
Shirley Raines @beauty2thestreetz
Beauty2TheStreetz is a non-profit that provides the unhoused on Skid Row with beauty services and products.
Wisdom Kaye @wisdm8
Kaye is a model, who was signed to an agency after creating high-fashion outfits for style challenges.
Crysta Forte @melanateddreader
Forte is an educator and book blogger, who loves sharing her love of books with others.
DeRay Mckesson @deray
Mckesson is an educator, podcaster, and civil rights activist focuses on issues of innovation, equality, and justice.
Jamise Harper @spinesvines
Harper is an avid reader, who founded the Spines & Vines blog, which is dedicated to book and wine pairings.
Credits
Quick Picks research and curation: Tula Orum, Gissel Rios, Kaitlin Alcontin, Hannah Sutherland | Quick Picks descriptions researched and written by: Gissel Rios | Introduction written by: Tula Orum | Post designed by: Gissel Rios | Additional edits by: Jade Alburo | Related social media posts created by: Kaitlin Alcontin and Gissel Rios
If you have any comments or feedback, please contact us at IAS@library.ucla.edu.
Photo Credits
- Cover Image: “Black Beauties With Colorful Hair Grace A Float During The Annual Bud Billiken Day Parade, 08/1973” by John H. White, from the U.S. National Archives
- Photo 1: "Children raise their hands during visit to Center for African American Studies" from the UCLA Library University Archives
- Photo 2: "African American girls walk to summer jobs in Watts, Los Angeles" from the UCLA Library Special Collections' Los Angeles Times Photographic Collection
- Photo 3: "Black Balloon Salesman On South Side Chicago's 47th Street Many Of The City's Black Business Owners Started With Small Operations Such As This And Grew By Working Hard, 06/1973" by John H. White, from the U.S. National Archives