Reference
The Kentucky African American Encyclopedia
Gerald L. Smith, Karen Cotton McDaniel, John A. Hardin
A reference work brings together people, institutions, and events in Black Kentucky history.
Collection
Black Excellence & Innovation
Meet the people and institutions that advanced science, education, sports, and public life.
The shelves
Books in this collection
Poetry
Isaac Murphy: I Dedicate This Ride
Frank X Walker
A poetry sequence approaches the life of the celebrated Black jockey through imagined voices.
Essays
Teaching to Transgress
bell hooks
hooks brings classroom experience to questions about freedom, authority, and participation in education.
Essays
The Mis-Education of the Negro
Carter G. Woodson
Woodson asks what schooling teaches Black students to believe about themselves and their history.
Literary criticism
Free Within Ourselves
Rudine Sims Bishop
A study of Black children’s literature follows its publishing history, creators, and evolving traditions.
History
Hidden Figures
Margot Lee Shetterly
Black women mathematicians navigate segregated workplaces while doing work central to American aviation and spaceflight.
Biography
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Rebecca Skloot
The story of HeLa cells follows the collision of biomedical research, consent, and one family’s search for answers.
Picture book
The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes
Julia Finley Mosca
A picture-book biography follows physician and inventor Patricia Bath and her work in eye care.
Picture book
Mae Among the Stars
Roda Ahmed
A young Mae Jemison imagines herself in space with encouragement from her family.
Biography
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History
Vashti Harrison
Brief illustrated profiles introduce Black women whose work changed science, arts, and public life.
Picture book
The Undefeated
Kwame Alexander
A poem and illustrations honor Black achievement, endurance, and lives that public memory can overlook.
History
We Are the Ship
Kadir Nelson
Paintings and narrative bring the travel, teamwork, and resourcefulness of Negro League baseball into view.