Powerful books to read for Black History Month chosen by KISS Presenter Tinea Taylor

Some really powerful reads

Author: Alex RossPublished 12th Oct 2021
Last updated 16th Feb 2022

As we continue to celebrate Black History Month throughout October, KISS presenter Tinea Taylor has picked out her favourite adult and children's books to help educate and inform readers.

With authors such as June Sarpong, Jamia Wilson, Vashti Harrison and many more on the list, these books are perfect for both avid book worms and people who want to get into reading more.

Check out Tinea's list of books to read this Black History Month:

The Power of Privilege: How white people can challenge racism

In The Power of Privilege, June Sarpong empowers people to become effective allies against racism. Offering practical steps to those who have been afforded privilege and helping to build a fairer future for all.

Rise: Life Lessons in Speaking Out, Standing Tall & Leading the Way

Gina Miller came to prominence when she successfully challenged the UK government's authority to trigger Article 50 - without parliamentary approval. For standing up for what she believed was right, she became the target of not just racist and sexist verbal abuse, but physical threats to herself and her family.

In Rise, Gina draws on a lifetime of fighting injustice and looks at the moments that made her; the trauma, failures and successes that gave her the confidence in her voice, the ability to know how to use it and the strength not to let others diminish it, even when it came at incredible cost.

They Don't Teach This

Eni Aluko shares her experiences, exploring themes of dual nationality and identity, race and institutional prejudice, success, failure and faith. It is an inspiring manifesto to change the way readers and the future generation choose to view the challenges that happen in their lives.

A Piece Of Cake

This is the heart-wrenching true story of a girl named Cupcake who is orphaned and placed in the 'care' of sadistic foster parents.

Cupcake turned her life around and this is her brutally frank, startlingly funny story. A Piece of Cake is a redemptive, gripping tale of a resilient spirit who took on the worst of contemporary urban life and survived it.

Homegoing

Effia and Esi: are two sisters with two very different destinies.

One sold into slavery; one a slave trader's wife. The consequences of their fate reverberate through the generations that follow. Taking us from the Gold Coast of Africa to the cotton-picking plantations of Mississippi; from the missionary schools of Ghana to the dive bars of Harlem, spanning three continents and seven generations - the intimate, gripping story of a brilliantly vivid cast of characters and through their lives the very story of America itself.

Black and British: A Forgotten History

In this vital re-examination of a shared history, historian and broadcaster David Olusoga tells the story of the long relationship between the British Isles and the people of Africa and the Caribbean.

Drawing on new genealogical research, original records, and expert testimony, Black and British reaches back to Roman Britain, the medieval imagination, Elizabethan 'blackamoors' and the global slave-trading empire. It shows that the great industrial boom of the nineteenth century was built on American slavery, and that black Britons fought at Trafalgar and in the trenches of both World Wars. Black British history is woven into the cultural and economic histories of the nation. It is not a singular history, but one that belongs to us all.

Mixed Me!

Mom and Dad say I'm a blend of dark and light: "We mixed you perfectly, and got you just right."

Mike has awesome hair. He has LOTS of energy! His parents love him. And Mike is a PERFECT blend of the two of them.

Still, Mike has to answer LOTS of questions about being mixed. And he does, with LOTS of energy and joy in this charming story about a day in the life of a mixed-race child.

Happy Hair

Happy Hair is a call and response picture book that promotes positive self-esteem and hair love to girls of all ages! Happy Hair covers different shades and hair types all while being fun and fashionable!

I'M A PRETTY LITTLE BLACK GIRL!

I'M A PRETTY LITTLE BLACK GIRL! introduces adorable Mia, who wakes with her hair just-a-going every which-a-ways! With her abundant energy and joy leading the way, readers follow Mia as she plays with her friends who are all shades, shapes and sizes. There's tall Kia, Keisha the reader, Charlotte her best friend, Dina Rose-Marie the artist, Imani the dancer, Anna who loves sports, Ruby the singer, and honey-haired Tracy. Mia finds that Pretty is within herself and her friends, and being pretty is way beyond what the mirror shows.

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History

Did you know the treatment for leprosy was developed by a young scientist called Alice Ball? And Josephine Baker- world famous cabaret singer and dancer- was also a spy for the French résistance?

This book features 40 trailblazing black women in the world's history, it educates and inspires as it relates true stories of women who broke boundaries and exceeded all expectations.

Inspire your own little leader with the stories of these amazing women.

Young, Gifted and Black: Meet 52 Black Heroes from Past

Meet 52 icons of colour from the past and present in this celebration of inspirational achievement – a collection of stories about changemakers to encourage, inspire and empower the next generation of changemakers. Jamia Wilson has carefully curated this range of black icons and the book is stylishly brought together by Andrea Pippins' colourful and celebratory illustrations.

All children deserve to see themselves represented positively in the books they read.

Meet figureheads, leaders and pioneers such as Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and Rosa Parks, as well as cultural trailblazers and athletes like Stevie Wonder, Oprah Winfrey and Serena Williams.

Catch Tinea weekday evenings on the Hype Chart where it is all about the music popping off, your favourite KISS tunes and the music you’re loving right now!

KISS Presenters open up about the importance of Black History Month:

Swarzy Macaly - KISS & KISS Fresh Presenter

"What impact has black culture had on your life?"
Black culture is multifaceted and yet I believe Joy and Resilience are two key attributes of black culture that continue to shape my life. The joy I find in laughing with others despite the struggle, and joining in with the collective resilience - past and present - to keep on keeping on fills me with much hope.

"Who do you want to CELEBRATE this Black History Month? And why?"
I want to celebrate my MUM! She's bossed life throughout the pandemic and lockdown, and I'm so proud of all she's achieved. From listening to my Breakfast Shows on KISS to watching all my interviews and events online, my Mum has supported me ever since I first touched a mic in Year 7! Her strength and resilience inspires me and so my Mum is a huge reason for why I'm celebrating #BlackGirlJoy as part of Too Much Source 2021.

Tyler West - KISS Presenter

"Does Black History Month feel different in 2021? If so how?"
It feels different because we've had so much time in the last year to reflect. It feels like as the world opened back up, so has thoughts and conversations that needed to be happening 🖤

"What impact has black culture had on your life?"
Black culture is the everyday. Whether it be the music, the food, or any of the blessings we experience every day, it's in my DNA. It makes you so open to the idea "there's more to this life" you just need to let it in.

"Who do you want to CELEBRATE this Black History Month? And why?"

I want to celebrate my close ones. The ones who have spoken up and helped raise awareness when there's no one around, the ones who take time to educate and understand but also appreciate black history month the same as I do.

Kaylee Golding - KISS Fresh Presenter

"Does Black History Month feel different in 2021? If so how?"
I think many people and companies were emotionally charged by the horrific murder of George Floyd last year, and that inspired many people to get involved in Black History Month. Now over a year on, it can feel like people have forgotten that black lives still matter, and we need the same energy for Black History Month 2021 as we did in 2021. So I really urge people to continue to celebrate our black heroes, continue to educate themselves and those around them, and most importantly to continue to conversation on equality!

"What impact has black culture had on your life?"
It's very easy for me to say I'm half black so of course, black culture impacts my life that way. But realistically, even if I had no black descent at all black culture would still impact me. Like first off, the Windrush generation helped to rebuild this country. Without that, we have no idea what the UK would have looked like. Black culture has influenced music so heavily. Of course, I love black music, from rap to RnB, to afro-beats to dancehall. But even if that wasn't my music preference, black culture has had an influence on so many genres such as dance and pop music. And finally, I don't think I could go a week without having some form of Caribbean food. For me, it really is the best. I am so proud that to have black heritage.

"Who do you want to CELEBRATE this Black History Month? And why?"
I want to celebrate Phyllis Akua Opoku-Gyimah also known as Lady Phyll. She is the co-founder of UK Black Pride. And black pride is an event that I am able to celebrate both my sexuality and my ethnicity. It's easy for people to think they have to be celebrated separately when they really don't and Lady Phyll showed us that! I think with black history month we focus on US icons, which is great but we also need to celebrate our black UK icons, that are putting in the work RIGHT NOW. And Lady Phyll has provided a safe place for thousands of Black British LGBTQ+ people here in the UK.

Daisy Maskell - KISS Fresh Breakfast Presenter

"What impact has black culture had on your life?"
I think people are finally starting to realise the importance of educating and celebrating black history all year round as opposed to just doing so throughout the month of October. We have taken so much from black culture and benefitted from it in so many ways, it's about time we recognise this and start to give back.