A celebration of Black boyhood, this book affirms strength, intelligence, kindness, and resilience. Through poetic language and bold illustrations, it encourages self-confidence and pride.

A collection of interconnected short stories about kids walking home from school, each revealing different aspects of their lives. The book explores friendship, family struggles, and everyday adventures, showcasing the diversity of childhood experiences.

A picture book celebrating the happiness, creativity, and uniqueness of Black boys. Through vibrant illustrations and affirming words, it highlights the beauty of Black boyhood and self-love.

A novel-in-verse about twin brothers, Josh and JB, who love basketball. As they navigate their love for the sport, family conflicts, and personal growth, the story blends sports action with deep emotional themes. The book explores brotherhood, loss, and coming of age.

This novel follows Jerome, a Black boy killed by police who becomes a ghost. He meets the spirit of Emmett Till and watches how his death impacts his family and community. The story addresses racial injustice, police violence, and the power of empathy and awareness.

A graphic novel about Jordan Banks, a Black middle schooler navigating a predominantly white private school. He struggles with fitting in, racism, and staying true to himself while balancing different social worlds. The book explores themes of identity, code-switching, and the importance of representation.

A guidebook for young Black boys, offering life lessons on self-worth, resilience, and navigating a world that often underestimates them. It provides wisdom on confidence, success, and embracing Black identity. The book aims to inspire and empower young readers with practical advice.

A young reader’s adaptation of Stamped from the Beginning, this book introduces children to the history of racism in an engaging, accessible way. It explains how racist ideas were created and how they continue to shape society. The book encourages kids to recognize and challenge racism in their daily lives.

Abdurraqib celebrates Black artistic and cultural contributions, from music and dance to television and sports. Blending personal reflection, history, and cultural critique, he examines how Black performance is both a form of resistance and joy. He highlights artists like Josephine Baker and Soul Train dancers, showing their impact on American culture. The book is an insightful and poetic tribute to Black creativity and endurance.

Meckler examines Shaker Heights, a Cleveland suburb known for its intentional efforts toward racial integration. Despite its progressive reputation, the community still struggles with disparities in education, housing, and social cohesion. Through historical research and interviews, she highlights the complexities of racial equity initiatives. The book offers insights into the challenges and possibilities of creating a truly inclusive society.

Written as a letter to his teenage son, Coates reflects on the realities of being Black in America. He discusses systemic racism, police brutality, and the American Dream as an illusion built on Black suffering. Blending personal narrative with historical analysis, he explores his own awakening to racial injustice. The book is a powerful meditation on race, identity, and the fight for dignity in a deeply unequal society.

Smith takes readers on a journey through historical sites that reveal the lasting impact of slavery in America. Visiting places like Monticello, Angola Prison, and Galveston, he explores how the past is remembered, misrepresented, or erased. Through interviews and personal reflections, Smith uncovers the deep connections between history and modern racial disparities. The book challenges readers to reckon with America’s legacy of slavery and its ongoing consequences.

This book explores why many white people struggle with discussions of racism, often responding defensively rather than engaging in meaningful change. DiAngelo, a white scholar, explains how white privilege and societal conditioning create resistance to conversations about racial inequity. She highlights common defensive reactions and offers strategies for white individuals to develop resilience and accountability in confronting racism.

Wilkerson examines how a hidden caste system has shaped American society, drawing parallels between racial hierarchies in the U.S., the Indian caste system, and Nazi Germany. She argues that race functions as a rigid social caste that determines opportunities, power, and oppression. Through historical analysis and personal narratives, she exposes how this system operates and its devastating effects. The book calls for recognizing and dismantling these structures to achieve true equality.

Kendi challenges readers to go beyond being "not racist" and instead actively work to dismantle racism. He weaves personal stories with historical and social analysis to show how racism is deeply embedded in institutions and everyday life. The book explores different forms of racism, including cultural, systemic, and policy-based discrimination. Kendi argues that being an antiracist requires ongoing reflection, action, and commitment to equity.

Understanding race and equity starts close to home but extends far beyond. This guide highlights local Central Ohio resources, including the Kirwan Institute, Columbus Urban League, and Bexley Minority Parent Alliance, alongside national sites like the National Museum of African American History & Culture and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. Whether you’re looking to engage with your community or reflect on America’s history, these organizations and memorials offer opportunities to learn, connect, and take action toward a more equitable future.

Talking about race can feel difficult—but gathering around a shared meal can make space for connection, reflection, and understanding. This post highlights organizations and conversation guides designed to help individuals and communities host thoughtful, respectful dinner conversations about race.

Whether you’re bringing together friends, neighbors, or colleagues, these resources offer practical frameworks to support honest dialogue, active listening, and meaningful engagement—no prior experience required. If you’re looking for a simple, approachable way to start deeper conversations, this is a great place to begin.

This book explores how U.S. government policies deliberately enforced racial segregation in housing, leading to today's racial wealth gap. Rothstein dismantles the myth that segregation resulted from private choices, revealing laws and policies that excluded Black families from homeownership and economic mobility. He details redlining, racial zoning, and discriminatory lending practices that still impact communities today. The book argues for reparative policies to correct these historical injustices.

Hear directly from Bexley leaders in these one-minute videos as they explore the city’s racial history, the impacts of housing discrimination, and ongoing local efforts to advance equity and inclusion. Each short video offers personal insights, historical context, and a closer look at how the community is working to acknowledge the past and create a more equitable fut

Examine the complex racial history of Bexley, Ohio, and how broader patterns of segregation, redlining, and discriminatory housing practices shaped the community. This One Bexley blog offers an honest look at the exclusion of Black and Jewish families, the lasting impacts on wealth and opportunity, and the experiences of residents today, while also highlighting local efforts to acknowledge the past and work toward racial equity and inclusion.