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It’s February, also known in America as Black History Month. Black History Month was recognized as an official month-long celebration in 1976. It began in 1926 as Black History Week as an attempt by historian Carter G. Woodson to educate people about African American history.

When Congressmen John Lewis was in school he was given a very valuable piece of advice, “Read everything.” In keeping with that advice and honoring the tradition of celebration and education, here is a list of books about or by Black Americans. Twenty Eight Books for Twenty Eight Days.  These books are listed in no particular order and feel free to go off book and read (and recommend) ones that aren’t listed.  Happy reading and happy Black History Month.

1. The Autobiography of Malcolm X – Malcolm X and Alex Haley
2. Growing Up X – Ilyasah Shabazz
3. A Poem Traveled Down My Arm – Alice Walker
4. The Biography of Martin Luther King Jr. – Martin Luther King Jr.
5. A Testament Of Hope: The Essential Writings of Martin Luther King Jr – ed James Washington
6. Angela Davis: A biography – Angela Davis
7. Warriors Don’t Cry – Melba Pattillo Beals
8. Native Son – Richard Wright
9. Richard Wright – Hazel Rowley
10. Black Power: Three Books From Exile – Richard Wright
11. Invisible Man – Ralph Ellison
12. Sugar In the Raw – Rebecca Carroll
13. Dancing Spirit – Judith Jamisn
14. Revolutionary Suicide – Huey P Newton
15. White Preacher’s Memoir – Robert Graetz
16. The Autobiography of an Ex-Negro – James Weldon Johnson
17. Walking With the Wind – Congressman John Lewis
18. The Children of the Movement – John Blake
19. For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf – Ntozake Shange
20. Chocolate Me – Taye Diggs
21. All the Rage – Aaron McGruder
22. The Counte of Monte Cristo – Alexander Dumas
23. Scottsboro – Ellen Feldman
24. Dreams of My Father – President Barack Obama
25. My Bondage, My Freedom – Frederick Douglass
26. Man of Macedonia – Aaron Johnson
27. Homegirls and Hand Grenades – Sonia Sanchez
28. Shimmy, Shimmy, Shimmy Like My Sister Kate – Nikki Giovanni

And One to Grow On
Letter to my Daughter – Maya Angelou