Top 6 Powerful Resources for Black Literature and History

As Song of Redemption made its debut on Audible various platforms, I found myself reflecting deeply on the power of storytelling, particularly Black stories. At a time when the content of books is being challenged, Black history is being censored, and truth is threatened (again), our voices matter more than ever. 

Stories like ours hold memory, legacy, and liberation. They remind us of who we are, where we come from, and the power within us. This is why I write. This is why I share. And this is why I want to uplift the resources that help keep our history alive and accessible. 

Here are six vital institutions and platforms preserving and celebrating Black history and literature:

1. National Museum of African American History and Culture (Washington, D.C.)

   

   National Museum of African American History and Culture

   A living monument to Black history, culture, and resilience, this Smithsonian museum houses thousands of artifacts and stories that span centuries of African American life.

2. International African American Museum & Center for Family History (Charleston, SC)

   
   

   

   International African American Museum & Center for Family History

   Located at one of the country’s most significant slave ports, this museum includes a powerful genealogical research center to help families uncover and connect with their roots.

   
   

3. PEN America

   
   

   This organization defends free expression and fights against book bans, working to protect the voices of Black authors and the availability of diverse stories in classrooms and libraries.
   

   

   Pen America | pen.org

4. The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (New York, NY)
   

   

   The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture | New York Public Library

   A cornerstone of Black scholarship and culture, this research library preserves countless volumes, manuscripts, and artworks dedicated to the global Black experience.

   
   

5. The Free Black Women’s Library

   

   The Free Black Women's Library

   A mobile collection and reading community centered on books by Black women, this grassroots effort offers free books, fellowship, and fierce literary resistance.
   

6. The Library of Congress: African American History Collections
   

   

   The Brownies Book featuring 1920 senior high school graduates including Langston Hughes.

   

   The Crisis Magazine October 1914

   The largest library in the world includes extensive African American history collections, including manuscripts, photographs, music, and oral histories.

Let’s continue to amplify, protect, and pass down our stories loud and proud. Whether it's time or money, consider donating to any or all of these great organizations today.