Inspiring and amazing stories that showcase 150 black heroes and heroines.

The world is full of many great black men and women who changed the course of history. Because of their contributions, these men and women are rightfully considered heroes by not just black people around the world, but people of all backgrounds. In The Great Book of Black Heroes: Thirty Black Men and Women Who Have Impacted History, you'll learn about thirty of the greatest black heroes and heroines from three different continents over a span of more than 2,500 years of history. The definition of hero in this book is any person who influenced a great number of people and often continues to long after his or her death. Heroes can be politicians, activists, philosophers, warriors, artists, or musicians, but most of all they are inspiring!In The Great Book of Black Heroes, you'll learn the answers to the following questions: ?How did Nelson Mandela transform from a bitter fighter to a leader who promoted reconciliation? ?Where was the kingdom of Axum and how did one of its kings protect early Christians? ?How did B.B. King get his start and become the King of the Blues??Who was the last emperor of Ethiopia and who was one of the first??Why did so many of these heroes and heroines have to rise above innumerable challenges? And so much more! This book is filled with a plethora of facts about some of the most fascinating and impactful black men and women in world history. But keep in mind that this is so much more than a boring history book, it's meant to keep you engaged and entertained as much as it will educate you. With that said, this book is guaranteed to edify and entertain you!Whether you have a passing interest in history, are distantly related to one of the heroes or heroines, or just want something fascinating to read, you can't go wrong with The Great Book of Black Heroes.

With the Civil Rights movement of the sixties fresh in their perspective, movie producers of the early 1970s began to make films aimed toward the underserved African American audience. Over the next five years or so, a number of cheaply made, so-called blaxploitation movies featured African American actresses in roles which broke traditional molds. Typically long on flash and violence but lacking in character depth and development, this genre nonetheless did a great deal toward redefining the perception of African American actresses, breaking traditional African American female stereotypes and laying the groundwork for later feminine action heroines. This critical study examines the ways in which the blaxploitation heroines of the early 1970s reshaped the presentation of African American actresses on screen and, to a certain degree, the perception of African American females in general. It discusses the social, political and cultural context in which blaxploitation films emerged. The work focuses on four African American actresses--Pam Grier, Tamara Dobson, Teresa Graves and Jeanne Belle--providing critical and audience response to their films as well as insight into the perspectives of the actresses themselves. The eventual demise of the blaxploitation genre due to formulaic plots and lack of character development is also discussed. Finally, the work addresses the mainstreaming of the action heroine in general and a recent resurgence of interest in black action movies. Relevant film stills and a selected filmography including cast list and plot synopsis are also included. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Profiles more than seventy-five African-American heroes of the twentieth century, including Jackie Robinson, Maya Angelou, Muhammed Ali, Toni Morrison, Arthur Ashe, and Alice Walker

An anthology comprising 150-plus selections, making accessible the orations of both well-known and lesser-known African Americans. Each speech is presented with an introduction that sets the context. Many are previously unpublished, uncollected, or long out of print. The volume is based on Philip Foner's 1972 Voice of Black America. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Recommended by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Book Riot and Autostraddle Nominated for a 2019 NAACP Image Award, a groundbreaking collection of profiles of African American women leaders in the twentieth-century fight for civil rights During the Civil Rights Movement, African American women did not stand on ceremony; they simply did the work that needed to be done. Yet despite their significant contributions at all levels of the movement, they remain mostly invisible to the larger public. Beyond Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King, most Americans would be hard-pressed to name other leaders at the community, local, and national levels. In Lighting the Fires of Freedom Janet Dewart Bell shines a light on women's all-too-often overlooked achievements in the Movement. Through wide-ranging conversations with nine women, several now in their nineties with decades of untold stories, we hear what ignited and fueled their activism, as Bell vividly captures their inspiring voices. Lighting the Fires of Freedom offers these deeply personal and intimate accounts of extraordinary struggles for justice that resulted in profound social change, stories that are vital and relevant today. A vital document for understanding the Civil Rights Movement, Lighting the Fires of Freedom is an enduring testament to the vitality of women's leadership during one of the most dramatic periods of American history.

Images of America: African Americans in Lafayette and Southwest Louisiana sheds a spotlight on some of the heroes and heroines of Southwest Louisiana. This area of the state is especially diverse and includes people who describe themselves as African Americans, Creoles, mulattoes, and blacks. Many people say they have mixed bloodlines that include Native American, African, and French ancestors. Their arts, culture, food, music, and crafts are distinct and rich with flavors of the past and the present. The Creoles and mulattoes, for example, speak the language of Creole, which is described as broken French.