What Is Juneteenth and How Can You Celebrate?

Fiction Books By Black Authors

The Color Purpleby Alice Walker

The Color Purple is a novel with a story that's full of loss, grief, and finding one's identity. It centers around Celie, a young Black woman who's separated from her sister and forced to marry a man twice her age. She silences herself throughout the duration of their marriage, but eventually finds her voice and worth after their arrival of the disruptive, yet well-meaning Shug enters their lives. From there, Celie and others go on a journey that changes the way they see themselves during a time where Black people were still faced with segregation, racism, and sexism.

Black Girls Must Die Exhaustedby Jayne Allen

Tabitha Walker has checked everything off her personal and professional goals list — something she feels proud of. However, she's forced to reckon with her life after a medical diagnosis threatens her chance to give birth. Enlisting the support of those she loves dearly, Tabitha does everything she can to reverse this. But, her relentless pursuit comes at the price of allowing herself to rest.

Waiting To Exhaleby Terry McMillan

Waiting To Exhale follows four friends as they navigate the ups and downs of their love lives. Savannah, Gloria, Bernadine, and Robin each face unique situations involving men, and this threatens the consistency they crave in life. However, their friendship and revelations about themselves help them come to terms with how they truly want to live.

The Vanishing Halfby Brit Bennett

Although they're identical, a set of twin sisters are leading different lives. While one sister escaped their southern town to start a new life, one of them stayed behind where she raises her young child. However, the sister who's living a new life has yet to disclose her past and ethnicity to her husband. Despite the sisters' separation, the lives of their daughters connect and thus begins the healing of a new generation.

The Sweetness of Waterby Nathan Harris

When brothers Landry and Prentiss make their way back to the plantation they were freed from, they soon come face-to-face with the man who used to be in charge, George Walker. However, George's mind and emotions are too preoccupied with the death of his son to harbor ill feelings towards them.

Still, an uneasy alliance is formed that's met with vitriol from those who are unable to let go of how things used to be during slavery. It's a novel that teeters between redemption and a stubborn desire to keep things the same.

Sassafrass, Cypress, and Indigoby Ntozake Shange

This book was gifted to me by my older sister shortly after I graduated high school and always reads like it was her way of helping guide me into womanhood. Aptly named after three sisters, Sassafrass, Cypress. and Indigo introduces readers to the magical ways siblings navigate their lives. Sassafrass uses her words and hands to make sense of the world around her while the middle sister, Indigo, uses her limbs to waft through an everchanging world. The youngest sister, Indigo, proudly embraces her southern roots and uses her gift of sight to see beyond the physical realm.

It's a beautiful novel that aims to show us how we're all gifted in some way.

The Women of Brewster Placeby Gloria Naylor

I had the pleasure of viewing the film adaptation of The Women of Brewster Place with my mom when I was younger and the seven women it revolves around still occupy my subconscious. Although they have different backgrounds, the central characters' lives are intertwined as they inhabit Brewster Place. What's meant to be a safe haven becomes filled with the struggles of each women as they work to understand love, loss, and identity in this moving novel.

Let The Circle Be Unbrokenby Mildred D. Taylor

Let The Circle Be Unbroken is more for younger children, but it's message is still powerful enough to tug at the heartstrings of adults. It revolves around the Logan family as they deal with bitterness from those who don't care to see a black family own their land instead of relying on sharecropping, growing children, and a family member whose mother wants her to live life as a white woman.

Hidden Figuresby Margot Lee Shetterly

Hidden Figures is a true story that details the way Black women helped spearhead some of NASA's most pivotal moments in history. It was because of their level of genius that men were able to safely go on space expeditions and make it back to Earth in one piece. However, these women still bore the brunt of segregation despite their intelligence and it sometimes threatened to overshadow what they were capable of bringing to the table.

Nevertheless, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden managed to move mountains at work and in space.

Black Cakeby Charmaine Wilkerson

What would you do if you learned about the hidden past of one of your parents? In Black Cake, estranged siblings Byron and Benny take it upon themselves to truly understand who their mother is after she dies. They learn to set aside their differences as they realize why their mother kept secrets and eventually forge an impenetrable bond.

When We Were Birdsby Ayanna Lloyd Banwo

Yejide is tasked with the magical gift that the women in her family have, but she'd rather ignore the very thing that caused her dying mother to be distant. In her mind, nothing is worth becoming a negative person. On the other hand, Darwin respects tradition right up until his job requires him to ignore it. He also sheds his identity and begins building a new life for himself. Somewhere along the lines of shedding tradition is when these two souls meet and it's clear that the dead knows something they don't.

The Late Americansby Brandon Taylor

Iowa City is home to those who love and agitate each other in The Late Americans. Seamus, Ivan, Fatima, and Noah are at different stages of life, but they're all surrounded by the same environment that threatens to rock their worlds. They decide to get away from it all by taking a trip that leaves them changed in one way or another. Somehow love, hurts, and lust manage to find them even as they're looking for something different.

Memphisby Tara M. Stringfellow

Violence found ways to harm Joan's family from her father's unstable temperament to her grandfather's unfair murder. To escape its stifling nature, Joan becomes a talented artist who comes to term with the ways certain things are ingrained in her. Memphis does an excellent job of showing that younger generations often carry the hopes and dreams of those who have come before us while facing whatever our time period has for us.

Perishby Latoya Watkins

Helen Jean is haunted by hearing the words "Bear it or perish yourself," during one life-altering night and, once again, we're shown how much the younger generation is affected by what happened to the their ancestors. From Julie B. to Jan, everyone is afflicted with something from the past, things reach a head when hidden secrets threaten to bubble to the surface.

The Office of Historical Correctionsby Danielle Evans

The Office of Historical Corrections is smartly written by Danielle Evans and explores how people interact with each other. With Black and multiracial characters at the heart of the book, Evans dives into topics about love, grief, and history in a way that'll make readers think.

What The Fireflies Knewby Kai Harris

What The Fireflies Knew is about young KB's journey as a young Black girl in Detroit. Shaken by the finality of her dad's drug addiction, KB and her sister Nia find themselves living with their grandfather in Michigan. Everyone around KB is hiding something from her and she navigates all of this with the shaky unease of someone who's still trying to figure things out.

Homebodiesby Tembe Denton-Hurst

Mickey Hayward is a writer with huge ambitions that lie beyond beauty and trendy news, but she can't seem to reach a point where she can write things she actually cares about. Yet, she endures with the support of her partner and everything is normal until she's promptly faced with being laid off. This inspires her to write about being a Black woman with a career in media that falls flat.

Landing back in Maryland, Mickey learns to come to terms with choices she's made so she can decide how she really wants to live her life.

The Bluest Eyeby Toni Morrison

When a young Black girl's desire to have certain Eurocentric features causes her to ignore her own, she spirals into a longing that threatens her self worth. Not only, but she finds more than she bargains in the midst of wanting to be beautiful in a way she feels she's not.

Seven Days In Juneby Tia Williams

Mom-coms exist and Seven Days In June is proof of that. It's about single mom Eva Mercy and all the ways her life changes when she encounters Shane Hall. They're both successful writers whose paths cross at a literary event and they realize the passion of their youth hasn't waned. Beyond that, their successful books have been love letters to each other all along.

The Other Black Girlby Zakiya Dalila Harris

Editorial Assistant Nella Rogers is biding her time at Wagner Books where she's the only Black girl on staff. Surrounded by microaggressions and what feels like a stalled career, she trudges through her days until another Black girl is hired. She and Hazel quickly form an alliance, and things finally feel great. But, that changes when Hazel becomes the golden girl who can do no wrong and Nella is left behind.

If that wasn't bad enough, someone begins leaving threatening notes on Nella's desk and her mind becomes filled with paranoia. It's clear that something sinister is lurking beneath the shiny exterior of Wagner Books and it's up to her to find out what it is.

Self Help Books By Black Authors

Feeding The Soulby Tabitha Brown

Tabitha Brown takes readers on a journey to learn more about her past before she became social media's 'Auntie.' From her days growing up in South Carolina to the viral video that changed her life decades after realizing what she wanted to do for the rest of her life, Feeding The Soul is a warm book that does what its title says.

Sisterhood Heals: The Transformative Power of Healing In Communityby Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, Ph.D

Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, Ph.D details the healing nature of having a community of friends who feel like sisters. Despite the idea that women are catty and unable to be trusted, Bradford explains how transformative a sisterhood can be. She talks about how our ideas about other Black women may shape our interactions with them and explains how we can do better collectively.

Owning Our Struggles: A Path to Healing And Finding Community In a Broken Worldby Minaa B., LMSW

No one is immune to facing struggles in life, but Owning Our Struggles argues that we don't have to let our lives be defined by them. It's a book that's equipped with resources to help us change the narrative we tell ourselves when things feel hard.

The Sugar Jar: Creating Boundaries, Embrace Self-Healing, and Enjoy the Sweet Things in Life by Yasmine Cheyenne

The title of this book should draw you in with it's mention of something sweet and that's the goal. However, the sugar in question is meant to represent our energy levels. It's another beautiful way of asking us to look at the glass half-full.

Drama Free: A Guide to Managing Unhealthy Family Relationshipsby Nedra Glover Tawwab

This book has been helping me to set boundaries with my own family and it's something I highly recommend anyone read. Sometimes we find it hard to tell our family members no because we're not raised to think we have to protect our time, mental health, and energy from loved ones. But, it's often necessary in order to have a fulfilled life and Drama Free outlines how we can start.

Memoirs By Black Authors

Just As I Amby Cicely Tyson

Cicely Tyson is a household name whose piercing work as an actress made her a quiet force to be reckoned with. In her memoir, she introduces us to her childhood and how she became the actress the world respected.

I Know Why The Caged Bird Singsby Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou's captivating memoir details her life as a young girl raised by her grandmother and uncle in Stamps, Arkansas. It's there she spends time with her older brother Bailey, and the two face the painful realization of their parents' separation and being treated less than by those in a worse financial situation than them. Once Maya Angelou and Bailey find themselves living with their mom, the former faces a sexual assault that haunts her long after it happens. However, she eventually finds strength in being who she is and goes on to become the famed author, poet, and activist we know and love today.

The Mother of Black Hollywoodby Jenifer Lewis

Jenifer Lewis is another household name who's career spans decades. Nicknamed 'The Mother of Black Hollywood' due to playing an electric maternal figure in movies and TV series, Jenifer shares her life's lessons with readers in this heartwarming novel. She also details her struggle with mental health and it's something that helped me start getting serious about my own healing journey.

Becomingby Michelle Obama

Before she was known as Barack Obama's wife, Michelle was a young girl who lived happily with her parents and brother in a small apartment. She then went on to become a successful lawyer who carved a name for herself at the law firm she used to work at. In Becoming, she shares the moments she realized she was meant to do something great and how Barack's presidency affected their family among other things.

Collective Books By Black Authors

Black Women Writers at WorkEdited by Claudia Tate with a Forward by Tillie Olsen

Black Women Writers at Work is full of conversations with some of the most brilliant Black authors of our time. From Alice Walker to Nikki Giovanni, these interviews are a deep dive into how one's life can influence their meaningful work.

Where can I see the trailer?

Don't worry Bravo fans – we’ve got the highly-anticipated trailer here.

Who is in the cast?

The new cast features newlyweds Jasmine Ellis Cooper and husband Silas Cooper, sports brand manager Nick Arrington, former Playboy model Jordan Emanuel, as well as fashion entrepreneur Bria Fleming. We’ll also see self-proclaimed “party girl” Shanice Henderson, aspiring real estate tycoon Amir Lancaster, flight attendant Jason Lyke, attorney Preston Mitchum, production coordinator Summer Marie Thomas, and creative director Alex Tyree. (We know, that’s a lot!) And of course we must mention another addition – the group’s adorable furry friend Milo.

Considering the smaller and female-dominated cast of the Hampton’s Summer House, we’re definitely excited to see how the dynamics of this larger cast work!

Why Martha’s Vineyard?

“For more than 100 years, Black vacationers have flocked to Martha’s Vineyard, an island south of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and one of the first beach destinations where African Americans could vacation and purchase property,” read a Thursday, March 30, press release about the reality series. “Known for its natural beauty with pristine beaches, romantic sailboats, colorful gingerbread cottages, and cultural identity, this summertime sanctuary has become a favorite escape for the rich, famous, and politically connected.”

When does 'Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard' premiere?

You can catch all of the drama every Sunday at 9 p.m. EST on Bravo, starting May 7.

The 67th Grammy Awards — On CBS February 2, 2025

I truly don't remember the last time the Grammy Awards were this stacked. Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, The Beatles. It's going to be a night to remember!

The Grammys will air February 2.

The Kardashians Season 6 — On Hulu February 6, 2025

These iconic sisters (plus momager Kris) are tackling 2025 and all the relationship, internet, and family drama to come. That's right: Kourtney, Khloé, Kim, Kendall, and Kylie are back!

The Kardashians returns on February 6 and stars Kris Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and Kylie Jenner.

Nothing says love like your best female friendships, and Sweet Magnolias season 4 proves it! According to showrunner Sheryl J. Anderson, season 4 will examine "the twists and turns of romance, the complexity of friendship, the surprises that pop up in life," she tells TUDUM, "and how all these things make us more grateful for the people who love us."

Sweet Magnolias season 4 premieres February 6 and stars JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Brooke Elliott, and Heather Headley.

Super Bowl LIX — On Fox February 9, 2025

There's one question on everyone's mind as we get closer to the big game: will we see Travis Kelce take home another Super Bowl trophy? And the question on my mind? WHO'S THE HALFTIME SHOW? Stay tuned to find out!

The Super Bowl airs on February 9.

Cobra Kai Season 6 Part 3 — On Netflix February 13, 2025

It all comes to a close for Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai in the Cobra Kai finale — which will take place 40 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. Talk about timing!

Cobra Kai season 6 ends on February 13 and stars Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Martin Kove, Xolo Maridueña, Jacob Bertrand, Mary Mouser, Tanner Buchanan, Peyton List, Gianni DeCenzo, Courtney Henggeler, Vanessa Rubio, Dallas Dupree Young, Yuji Okumoto, Alicia Hannah-Kim, Griffin Santopietro, and Oona O'Brien.

Next Level Chef Season 4 — On Fox February 13, 2025

If you're sick of cooking shows, I promise you you'll want to give this series a shot. Gordon Ramsey hosts the competition, which pits three teams against each other. The twist? Each episode the teams are assigned to one of three kitchens, each with wildly different resources.

Next Level Chef season 4 premieres February 13 and is hosted by Gordon Ramsey.

Love Is Blind Season 8 — On Netflix February 14, 2025

Nothing says Valentine's Day like a reality dating show. And nobody's doing it like Love is Blind. This series — in which couples get together without seeing one another — is perfect for anyone who's totally sick of the modern & normal approaches to dating (just me?).

Love is Blind season 8 drops on February 14 and is hosted by Vanessa & Nick Lachey.

SNL50: The Anniversary Special — On NBC February 16, 2025

In honor of SNL season 50, get a special glimpse at seasons past (including audition tapes!!) with this 3-hour anniversary special. Who knows what kind of guest appearances and musical acts we'll see!

SNL50: The Anniversary Special premieres February 16.

Remember how I said these new TV shows will get you in the mood for spring? Well The White Lotus season 3 will definitely have you dreaming of your first 2025 vacation. (Although hopefully it'll have way less drama). This season takes us to Thailand and introduces us to a slew of new characters who are all hiding something.

The White Lotus season 3 premieres February 16 and will star Leslie Bibb, Jason Isaacs, Michelle Monaghan, Carrie Coon, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger and Blackpink’s Lisa Manobal.

If you thought Yellowjackets was crazy in the past, you haven't seen anything yet. Season 3 will tackle the idea of merging our favorite soccer team's past and present selves, and creator Ashley Lyle gave Vanity Faira glimpse into the new story, teasing, "How do you change while you are in your core, in your essence, the same person you always were? How much are you hiding that, and how long are you able to do that, is a question that we’re playing with this season."

Yellowjackets season 3 premieres February 16 and stars Melanie Lynskey, Christina Ricci, Tawny Cypress, Lauren Ambrose, Sophie Nélisse, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Sophie Thatcher, Samantha Hanratty, Courtney Eaton, Liv Hewson, Steven Krueger, Warren Kole, Kevin Alves, Sarah Desjardins, Simone Kessell, Elijah Wood, Joel McHale, and Hilary Swank.

SAG Awards — On Netflix February 23, 2025

Awards season is in full swing! The SAG awards celebrate all your favorite actors and actresses, and the fact the show is streamed on Netflix makes it easier than ever to tune in.

The SAG Awards will air on February 23 and are hosted by Kirstin Bell.

This new TV show FINALLY brings us back to the Duttons after season 1 ended with the Yellowstone ranch in danger, Alex and Spencer split up, and Teonna running for her life. February 23 can't come soon enough — and I'm hoping it doesn't take long for this family to reunite.

1923 season 2 premieres February 23 andthe cast includes Julia Schlaepfer, Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, Brandon Sklenar, Michelle Randolph, Darren Mann, Jerome Flynn, Aminah Nieves, and Isabel May.

Grosse Pointe Garden Society — On NBC February 23, 2025

This new TV show follows four members of a local garden club who get more than they bargained for when they all become tangled up in a secret murder. Turns out the only thing harder than maintaining the perfect garden is maintaining the perfect image.

Grosse Pointe Garden Society premieres February 23 and stars Melissa Fumero, Aja Naomi King, Ben Rappaport, AnnaSophia Robb, Alexander Hodge, Nancy Travis, Matthew Davis, and Felix Wolfe.

House of David — On Prime Video February 27, 2025

You might think you know the story of King David, but you've never seen it told like this. When King Saul's pride leads to his fall, and loss of power over his kingdom, the young David becomes poised to take his place. And he's in for more heartbreak, love, and violence than he could have bargained for.

House of David premieres February 27 and stars Michael Iskander, Ali Suliman, Ayelet Zurer, Stephen Lang, Martyn Ford, Indy Lewis, and Yali Topol Margalith, Ethan Kai, Sam Otto, Oded Fehr, Louis Ferreira, Davood Ghadami, Ashraf Barhom, Alexander Uloom, and Aury Alby.