For Dr. Artika R. Tyner, a passionate educator, author, and advocate for justice, Black History Month serves as an invitation to build an inclusive classroom by engaging all learners. In her post, she poses 5 questions for educators to think about when teaching Black History Month.

“Through my writings, I seek to inspire Black children to find the role models that motivate them to learn, grow, and lead. It follows the notion that you cannot be what you cannot see. For Black children, these leaders are not always featured in mainstream texts. Even if they are, they are celebrated only during Black History Month. My goal is to celebrate the accomplishments of Black leaders year-round and to incorporate their accomplishments into the lessons taught about American history.”

From music to art to poetry, creativity filled the air in the historical Fillmore District. The creativity and inclusion brought communities together—with no exceptions. Everyone was welcome, and everyone was accepted.

In our conversation with author Rachel Werner, we talk about her forthcoming picture book, Moving and Grooving to Fillmore's Beat (debuting in Fall 2023), a lyrical story about the rich multi-ethnic history of The Fillmore District, what inspires her, and why learning about the past is important.

Capstone presents the late award-winning author-illustrator Floyd Cooper’s Juneteenth for Mazie as a free read-aloud video. We hope students enjoy the story of Mazie as she learns about the struggles and triumphs of her enslaved ancestors' full emancipation. 

We Need Diverse Books Mentee Dorothy H. Price brings authentic voice and experience to her debut early chapter book series, Jalen’s Big City Life. Perfect for early reader fans of Yasmin, Katie Woo, and Pedro, the stories in Jalen’s Big City Life center on realistic adventures in a city setting and teach important lessons including kindness, responsibility, sharing, and respect. Hear from Dorothy about her exciting new series.

For Black History Month, we’ve curated a collection of titles featuring biographies of notable civil rights leaders, scientists, athletes, and more, as well as compelling historical fiction and nonfiction stories.