Bearing the same name as Nina Simone’s iconic song, “Young, Gifted, and Black” explores the lives of 52 black people, both past and present, who have helped shaped different aspects of black culture.

As author Jamia Wilson explains in the foreword, “this book is a love letter to our ancestors and the next generation of black changemakers,” and it truly is, breaking the mold of most books on black history to include current black revolutionaries while also paying homage to those from the past. Using muted neon colors and varying shapes and patterns, illustrator Andrea Pippins crafts wild backdrops and quirky, unique portraits to accompany the short biographies, breathing life and character into Wilson’s words. I was pleasantly surprised to see contemporary heroes like Zadie Smith and Simon Biles featured alongside historic figures such as Josephine Baker and Maya Angelou, as highlighting such a diverse group of people allows children to discover new role models they may have never known existed.

This is a great introductory book to give to any child interested in history and could serve as a launching point for adults looking to introduce their children to a diverse mix of historical figures.

This review is generously provided by Takoma Bookstore Supervisor, Melanie Kates.

PHOTO 2024 02 01 07 10 14

For Langston Hughes on His 123 Birthday

Speech given on February 1, 2024 in Havana, Cuba In 1927 Langston Hughes walked into a Cuba amid an emerging community of artists, intellectuals, and radicals.  He saw a “sunrise in a new land [– a day – in his words]sic – full of brownskin surprises, and hitherto unknown contacts in a world of color.”  … Continued

PALESTINE WEEK 1920 x 1080 px 2

Palestine Week 2024

January 18, 2024 – January 25, 2024 In keeping with our ongoing mission of uplifting racial and cultural connections, Busboys and Poets is hosting Palestine Week (January 18 through January 25, 2024). This week-long series of events will offer a diverse range of programming featuring Palestinian food, music, dance, poetry, discussions, and other enriching events. … Continued

Covid-19 Protocol

Covid-19 Protocol

Due to the upcoming vaccination/testing requirements, we are re-posting the Busboys and Poets Safety Protocol: “The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented moment in history and has impacted the hospitality industry unlike anything else we have experienced before.  This manual is an introduction to how Busboys and Poets plans to get in front of the situation, … Continued

Busboys and Poets Books Interview: E. Ethelbert Miller

Busboys and Poets Books Interview: E. Ethelbert Miller

February saw the release of If God Invented Baseball, the latest collection of poetry from DC legend and literary activist E. Ethelbert Miller. A devoted fan of the Washington Nationals, Ethelbert celebrates in the book the magic of baseball and its lessons for life.  In advance of the poet’s upcoming event at Busboys and Poets … Continued