7 New Black History Titles

It has been 98 years since Carter G. Woodson, the second African American to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard University, created Negro History Week to put a spotlight on the impact African Americans have had on the course of U.S. history. Celebrated today as Black History Month, the purpose remains, as does the understanding that Black History must be taught all year, in addition to the special celebration it receives in February.

This year's theme is African Americans and the Arts. African Americans have borrowed from their rich and complex history to create some of the most important art movements the country and world have known, from music to writing to the visual arts to dance. Two of the books below feature lesser-known African Americans who made large contributions to arts and culture. And the third is the story of a little girl who works hard against race-based obstacles to ensure her achievements are recognized, which is exactly what this month of celebration aims to do.