Young, Gifted and Black: Meet 52 Black Heroes from Past and Present

by Jamia Wilson, Andrea Pippins (Illustrator)

Join us on a journey across borders, through time and even through space to meet 52 icons of color from the past and present in a celebration of achievement.

Meet figureheads, leaders, and pioneers such as Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and Rosa Parks, as well as cultural trailblazers and sporting heroes, including Stevie Wonder, Oprah Winfrey, and Serena Williams. 

Discover how their childhood dreams and experiences influenced their adult achievements. This book will help the next generation to chase their own dream . . . whatever it may be. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, History, Picture Books, Childrens, Middle Grade, African American

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Jamia is a feminist activist, writer, and speaker. She joined Random House as vice president and executive editor in 2021. As the former director of the Feminist Press at the City University of New York and the former VP of programs at the Women’s Media Center, Jamia has been a leading voice on women’s rights issues for over a decade. Her work has appeared in numerous outlets, including the New York Times, the Today Show, CNN, Elle, BBC, Rookie, Refinery 29, Glamour, Teen Vogue, and The Washington Post. She is the author of Young, Gifted, and Black, the introduction and oral history in Together We Rise: Behind the Scenes at the Protest Heard Around the World, Step Into Your Power: 23 Lessons on How to Live Your Best Life, Big Ideas for Young Thinkers, ABC's of AOC, and the co-author of Roadmap for Revolutionaries: Resistance, Advocacy, and Activism for All.

Reviews

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Quarto Publishing Group- Wide Eyed Editions, for the advance reading copy.

I feel this is a good start to introduce the most amazing personalities to the kids and the rest of the world. Let’s meet the Black life changing heroes and heroines in real life in different walks of life.

The illustrations are amazing and the descriptions quite informative.

I AM QUITE IMPRESSED! Kudos to the Quarto team as always. They are the best!

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Young Gifted and Black: Meet 52 Black Heroes from Past and Present' by Jamia Wilson with illustrations by Andrea Pippins gets it's title from the song by Nina Simone. It's colorful and creative and inspiring.

In a short foreword, the author explains where the title came from and the inspiration for writing this book. The book is written to encourage children to share their gifts with the world, and the book shows how these 52 people made their contributions. Most get a single page, but a few get double pages. There are entries for director Ava Duvernay, pilot Bessie Coleman, former president Barack Obama, sprinter Cathy Freeman and so many others.

I love that the book focuses on people with so many different talents. The message is really clear that the reader can be inspired to do anything. The illustrations are an explosion of wonderful color. The last couple pages of the book have a portrait gallery of all the people featured as well as a short glossary of terms. Read this and be inspired.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group, Wide Eyed Editions, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, as the authors point out, is written in the spirit of the song "to be young, gifted and black."

Not all the men and women in this book were young when they became famous. But, it is important to see that there are others who had dreams, before you, who succeeded.

And it may be that you have never heard of Matthew Henson, but he was an explorer who was the first African-American to trek in the Arctic, despite the fact that he didn't learn to read until 12, and found work on a merchant ship, where the ship's captain taught him. He was right along there with Admiral Perry when he went to explore the Arctic.

There are the usual people in there, of course, as well, such as Harriet Tubman and George Washington Carver. But there is also Mo Farah, Kofi Annan and Jesse Owens. The time line spans the past and the present, including Simone Biles, the gymnast. This is also not limited to African-Americans, but Black people from all over the world. We have Oprah Winfrey next to Pelé. And each short bio has a quote. Nelson Mandela's "It always seems impossible, until it it's done"

This is a great book, that should be in every school and library. It will inspire, and delight. And show what has gone before.






Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the bios aren't terribly thorough (hard to do when you're limited to a couple paragraphs per page), this book still covers the widest range of people I've seen this genre attempt. Many books have gone above and beyond the "names you've heard before" - King, Obama, Angelou, Parks, Mandela - but this one digs deeper into the world of sports, highlighting a cricketer and chess grandmaster as well as the Williams Sisters, and includes environmental activists, authors, composers, entrepreneurs and many, many others that are often overlooked by other works.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This phenomenal children's book is #OwnVoices exceptionalism with Jamia Wilson weaving words to Andrea Pippins' vibrant illustrations, these black women provide readers with a diverse collection of international black trailblazers from such diverse areas as ballet, environmental activism, literature, boxing, sprinting, Arctic exploration, etc.

[Joshunda Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

A timeless, inspiring and beautiful global collection of mini biographies of some of the most important trailblazers in science, music, theater, dance, literature and sports.

[Kristi Starr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received access to this book as a galley from NetGalley in exchange for a unbiased review.

This vibrantly colored book pays homage to 52 men and women from around the world who have demonstrated what it is to be not only young, not only gifted, not only dark-skinned, but all three. They are gifted performers, athletes, designers, speakers/orators, writers, leaders, entrepreneurs, scientists and mathematicians. They explore, serve, lead, pioneer. They are men and women we know, men and women new to us.

Many of the vignettes contain a quote from the individual though some - "Making history is cool." (Simone Biles) - might not be as inspirational as they could be. There is no doubt, however, that the 52 individuals featured are more than worthy of recognition as heroes. And for every entry, it's difficult not to say, "But why didn't you include ____?"

The foreword, "Welcome to this book!" sets the stage nicely, but other than a meager glossary (six words with brief definitions), no additional materials are provided as a selected bibliography of more to read, watch, or listen to. Perhaps this is attributable to reading an e-galley, but I'm not sure about that. Additional information (a timeline? suggested readings?) would have, in my opinion, earned the 5th star.

[B. Phoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

* I received this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review." I am absolutely in love with this book and the positive vibes. Words cannot express how wonderful I find everything, from the vivid and colorful illustrations, to the short biographies and Hall of Fame, and even the glossary in the back on key terms like "Activist". This book was so well thought out and encompass a diverse group of African Diaspora individuals from all types of backgrounds (entertainment, activism, etc). Nina would be proud of her "Young, Gifted and Black" descendants. Jamia's last quote for the book, sums up the #ForTheCulture Movement perfectly: "For Mom, Dad, my ancestors and the next generation. I am because you are."

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, with bold colors, enough information to make you want to research more about a person, and wide range of Black folks from different countries, ages, etc.

[Y.S. Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young, Gifted, and Black is a compilation of achievements of 52 black people from different eras who have (and still) inspiring young black people everywhere in the world.

WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT?
Young black kids (white too), boys and girls will find hope within the pages.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT
The profiles aren't just from people who live decades ago we have summaries on Oprah, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Stevie Wonder, Usain Bolt, and others who are still living. The art contributes to this book as well - colourful and unique. A splendid addition to book collection for children everywhere.

Read more on ... http://www.ysstephen.com/2018/02/youn...

to buy on all major online bookstores. Many thanks to Quarto Publishing Group for review copy.

[Jacqueline Nyathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young, Gifted and Black, Too follows on from 2018’s Young, Gifted and Black from the same authors, and, like the previous book, it features Black icons from history to the present. This fantastic little book is full of fun illustrations of these icons, with excellent bios to go with them.

I learnt lots! Like that Albert Luthuli was born at Solusi in Zim, which I honestly had never heard. (I am ignorant.) That Fela was multigifted, with the ability to play multiple musical instruments, and that he attended Trinity College of Music (—again, I am ignorant). I learnt that Charles Richard Drew, who has saved (and continues to save) millions of lives through his pioneering work on storage of blood plasma, died at 45 💔 I read about Ntando Mahlangu, the young South African Paralympic athlete who raced a cheetah on Netflix; about Kadeena Cox, who studied physiotherapy like me, and is now a Paralympic medallist, among her many achievements; about Juan Latino, a brilliant 16th century lecturer in Spain; about the queens, Yaa Asentewaa and Nanny; about Leymah Gbowee, Aisha Dee, and Lewis Hamilton; about Adenike Oladosu, the ecofeminist; and much, much more.

What a wonderful book to get for your kids and lbr, yourself, too! Absolutely delightful! Full marks plus extra stars for this one; highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Quarto Publishing Group – Wide Eyed Editions for this ARC.

Nb. This book is suitable to read with tots, and also for younger children, with supervision. It’s great for all older kids without supervision.

[Great Books]

The sequel to the biography anthology "Young, Gifted and black" celebrates fifty-two more black icons. Many of the biographies feature black pioneers in various fields. For instance, Charles Richard Drew was the first African American to earn a Doctor of Medical Science degree in 1940. He discovered blood banks. Also, Albert Luthuli was the first African awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1960 for leading a non-violent campaign to end apartheid in South Africa. Thurgood Marshall was the first African American to serve as Supreme Court Justice. A few of the contemporary biographies include Amanda Gorman, the first person to be named Youth Poet Laureate of the United States, Colin Kaepernick, the NFL player who protested police and racism by taking a knee during the national anthem prior to each game in the 2016, and Naomi Osaka, Japan's first Grand Slam Singles competition winner. Each biography features a bright-colored illustration of the person with a bubble of a famous quote or fact. The biographies convey how these icons overcame obstacles as people of color. The back matter includes a glossary. Recommended for middle elementary readers, grades three through six.
#15

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I love the most about this is the way it incorporates the fun fonts, color, drawings and you can still read it so easily. The more fancier fonts incorporated into the story aren't overbearing so kids aren't struggling through this font or missing a lot if they have to skip it to move forward.

I love the expansion of not just Americans (which I thought this was going to be) listed here and not one particular job or success story. We have athletes, millionaires, singers, actors, chess players, author and activists, etc.

Fantastic to have in your library, especially, for any biography needs.

Read through Netgalley

[Beth Younge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a great read. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about these people and I learnt about some people who I never knew of and learnt more about those I knew already. I wish it was longer and I had a psychical copy!

[Abigail (Abbe) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the artwork and learned some new names.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The subtitle of this book is “Meet 52 Black Heroes From Past and Present,” with author Jamia Wilson and illustrator Andrea Pippins introducing us (or reacquainting us) with 52 visionary leaders from black history. In the opening “Welcome” to the book, they write:

“Our lives matter. This book is a love letter to our ancestors and to the next generation of black changemakers, in the spirit of the song ‘To Be Young, Gifted and Black.”

They also point out that “the books we read and the media we consume deeply influence our understanding of who we are and what we can be - if you can’t see it you can’t be it. They also impact how we understand each other.”

They want to help kids imagine what is possible for them:

“We hope that you’re just as encouraged by the artists, activists, doers, makers, healers, and dreamers who bravely paved the way for us to have a brighter future.”

The range of personalities covered by this book is terrific, as are the write-ups and illustrations. Coverage is not restricted to Americans. You will get to know George Washington Carver from Missouri as well as Mo Farah, born in Somalia and now a British citizen (even knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2017!).

The short bios, in no particular order, often feature quotes from the person being profiled, and begin with the person’s childhood and what obstacles had to be overcome. Stevie Wonder, for instance, was blind. Even though he was a musical prodigy, his lack of vision created significant barriers. Nicola Adams, Britain’s most decorated boxer, passed her childhood being frequently sick with asthma and allergies. Misty Copeland, the first African-American ballerina to be appointed as a principal dancer for the American Ballet Theatre, moved often in her childhood and went to bed hungry many nights, sleeping on motel floors.

Many of those featured in the book might be unknown to younger readers. Maurice Ashley was the first African-American chess grandmaster. Musical prodigy Esperanza Spalding is a grammy award-winning jazz bassist and singer. Shirley Chishom was the first African-American congresswoman in the U.S. I love the quote they included by Chisholm: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”

Readers will also be happy to find out more about contemporary heroic individuals, such as Ava Duvernay, Serena and Venus Williams, and Simone Biles.

Andrea Pippins provides colorful and entertaining illustrations. On her website she writes that she “produces artwork with a mission to create what she wants to see and a vision to empower women and girls of color and people in underserved communities with visual tools to own and tell their own stories.”

Like the two books she authored herself, I Love My Hair, and Becoming Me, this book showcases the illustrator’s skill with making text, doodles, and character portraits joyful and engaging.

At the end of the book there is a very clever pictorial index, and even a small glossary, the choice of words for which I found quite impressive.

Evaluation: This book is excellent, and a great choice for children of every color. The theme is inspiration and empowerment rather than race per se. I love that there are 52 black heroes instead of the usual 28 for “Black History Month” and I love the diverse mix. The illustrations are the icing on the cake.

[Mike · Rating 1 out of 5]

So far I am very disappointed with this book, it has been introduced into schools but has mostly false statements.
Mary Seacole Had come to london because she had invested heavily in the South American gold mine, she want to see the company listed in the London stock exchange she was a very well off capitalist. However the book says she came to London wanted to help the soldiers.
It goes on to say at the start of the war he applications to join Florence nightingales nursing team was rejected, like many others who were refused due to their races or class. Mary didn’t even make an application to join, the only way to be a part of the nursing team was to make an application with references. She did however try and influence people into getting her on the team, but it didn’t work.
It is a complete lie that Florence nightingale rejected any applications because of race or class and I’m offended by this.
In 1855 she built the British hotels near balaclava to care for British soldiers, more lies. The bristling hotel was a shop restaurant and club for British officers, it sold things like Brady and cigars, no English soldiers ever set foot in the place. General soldiers were not even allowed in the place it was for officers only.
There is loads more but wow what a lot of lies, she didn’t help stop a cholera outbreak in the hospitals on the Crimean front line, there were no hospitals on the Crimean front line.

[KayKay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another powerful picture book by Wide Eyed Editions.

Presented here are some of the most loved, influential, and talented people-of-color all over the world with different backgrounds and professions- historical peace/equality fighters, artists, musicians, athletes, writers, politicians, professionals, scientists, explorers and etc. Some names are well-known, some are not too much the household names. I always learn few new things from reading books published by Wide Eyed Editions. Go figure! I didn't realize Alexandre Dumas was multiracial. Silly me.

Catchy illustrations with brief text make reading "Young, Gifted and Black" a pure bliss. I love the inclusion of the actual pictures of everyone mentioned in the book because the illustrations, as pretty as they are, barely resemble the actual persons.

This is definitely a great, fun and quick read. Well done again, Wide Eyed Editions!

[Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how this book interwove many narratives through different time periods, disciplines, and victories to create a gallery of black heroism in the past. Sticking people like Alexandre Dumas and Beyonce and Pelé on the same plane seems like a supportive act to me—whether a child is more interested in literature, music, or sports, their heroes are important and should be considered part of an ongoing narrative whether they lived a century ago or are still breaking barriers today. Also, the art was fantastic!

[Danielle Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read Young Gifted and Black because I received an ARC of Young Gifted and Black Too from Netgalley, and wanted to read the first installment in this series. I was not disappointed! I enjoyed getting to learn about an array of inspirational Black men and women who have made history. Most of the people featured in this book I have previously learned about, but I enjoyed getting a refresher on what made them extraordinary. This is a must read for young readers, especially black girls and boys, so they can see themselves reflected in this incredible book.

[Lulu's Book Journey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young, Gifted, and Black is a great book to use as a resource to teach and expose children of all ages to African-Americans who have changed, shaped, and influenced our world! This book features both women and men from different backgrounds, professions, and eras. Each individual is beautifully illustrated with detailed information provided about them. From W.E.B.
Du Bois to Barack and Michelle Obama, this book holds a wealth of information! A wonderful representation of African-Americans and perfect for teaching black history all year round!

[Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short bio books are great and seem to be very popular at the moment! Young, Gifted and Black doesn't fail to impress. It has bright, eye catching illustrations which draw you in right from the start. The bios are informative and interesting. It's nice to see some British/Non-Americans feature however as with most books in this style, it is heavily weighted to Americas. It would be great to see some children books with more British role models.

[Riley Aldridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

the art in this book was STUNNING and i loved the inclusion of figures like zadie smith and other notable but sometimes lesser known black visionaries. a great black history month read and a perfect example of how kids nonfiction can be great reads for adults!!!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plain awesome. Read it with my daughter today, with breaks to visit our bookshelves and YouTube to supplement. A great experience! And beautiful and brightly illustrated collection.

[Roz · Rating 5 out of 5]

International gifted and black change makers with short bios and inspiring quotes in their own words. I learned a lot from this book from the Juvenile section and encourage other adults to read it too.

[Amy Brydon Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book purchased for my classroom. Needed now more then ever! Love it.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that this incorporates past and present figures. I have this 4 stars because I wish it had included more illustrations.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Young, Gifted and Black because it contained some surprising like Alexander Duma, the author of the Three Musketeers. I read the book as a youth and had no idea that the author was black. But then the book was jam packed with talent that has touched my life. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to contemplate the achievements of people who faced so many challenges to get to where they are today. This book is a real celebration of talent.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent, monumental, a must read! This book is an important, necessary addition to every home and library!

The illustrations are bold, bright and gorgeous. The colours are joyous! And the pictures have a really cool vibe to it that makes me feel like it's for Us without it being a cliche "African" aesthetic (I say this as an African reviewing this book while in South Africa lol). The details in the playful background of each person's portrait is fantastic! I cannot say enough good things about how beautifully and joyously illustrated this book is! It also really matters to me (and this is another way you can tell it's a book for Us by Us) that there's an obvious intentional variation is skin tones throughout the book. Too often, artists will select one tone to represent Black skin and that's the colour they stick with throughout. Here, each person has a different natural tone that feels authentic and natural and realistic.

I love that (in the book's intro) the authors call this book a celebration of icons, and I also love that they encourage readers to go out and explore these remarkable peoples' stories for ourselves outside of the book. I felt so inspired already by the bold text in the intro that reads "How do you plan to write your name on the present and future pages?" followed by a sign-off that reads "You are one of our heroes, too." simply for being our unique irresplaceable selves. I love that, and it instills a confidence in me as to comfortably and enthusiastically gift this book to young readers and parents I know.

This book is one of the most brilliantly and diversely curated collections --including such fascinating, culturally-rich and wide-ranging icons that I would never have dreamed would be showcased together. And it's truly global! South Africa, Senegal, Mozambique, Ghana, Kenya, the UK and the USA are among the many, many places represented. Fashion designers, musicians, independence fighters, peacemakers, scientists, dancers, architects, sportspeople, authors (and sooo many other talented people!) all in one place, united by their brilliance and Blackness! And I'd only heard of about 20 of the 52 people before.

I'd recommend readers should at least be a middle grader, as the descriptions given for each icon assumes an understanding of slavery, world history, and colonial rule (including how an unjust government retaliates to rebellion and shows of independence) that may complicate storytime with backstory discussions otherwise. This line in the book's description explains it well: "the range of figures showcases an even more global selection in line with the movement towards decolonizing our history and curricula." And that's awesome! It absolutely would, as the description says, be "ideal for educators and homeschoolers studying Black excellence, with a new figure to explore every week of the year."

There certainly is lots to unpack and research and discuss after reading each story. It's also just a great reference book to have on hand at home, to learn together as a family, and know that you have access to a wealth of stories worth recognizing and retelling.