The Original Black Elite

Author: Elizabeth Dowling Taylor

Category: African-American & Black Interest

Regular price: $19.99

Deal price: $3.99

Deal starts: February 02, 2024

Deal ends: February 02, 2024

Description:

In this outstanding cultural biography, the author of the New York Times bestseller A Slave in the White House chronicles a critical yet overlooked chapter in American history: the inspiring rise and calculated fall of the black elite, from Emancipation through Reconstruction to the Jim Crow Era—embodied in the experiences of an influential figure of the time, academic, entrepreneur, and political activist and black history pioneer Daniel Murray.In the wake of the Civil War, Daniel Murray, born free and educated in Baltimore, was in the vanguard of Washington, D.C.’s black upper class. Appointed Assistant Librarian at the Library of Congress—at a time when government appointments were the most prestigious positions available for blacks—Murray became wealthy through his business as a construction contractor and married a college-educated socialite. The Murrays’ social circles included some of the first African-American U.S. Senators and Congressmen, and their children went to the best colleges—Harvard and Cornell.Though Murray and other black elite of his time were primed to assimilate into the cultural fabric as Americans first and people of color second, their prospects were crushed by Jim Crow segregation and the capitulation to white supremacist groups by the government, which turned a blind eye to their unlawful—often murderous—acts. Elizabeth Dowling Taylor traces the rise, fall, and disillusionment of upper-class African Americans, revealing that they were a representation not of hypothetical achievement but what could be realized by African Americans through education and equal opportunities. As she makes clear, these well-educated and wealthy elite were living proof that African Americans did not lack ability to fully participate in the social contract as white supremacists claimed, making their subsequent fall when Reconstruction was prematurely abandoned all the more tragic. Illuminating and powerful, her magnificent work brings to life a dark chapter of American history that too many Americans have yet to recognize.

I’m Still Here

Author: Austin Channing Brown

Category: African-American & Black Interest

Regular price: $12.99

Deal price: $1.99

Deal starts: February 01, 2024

Deal ends: February 01, 2024

Description:

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK •From a leading voice on racial justice, an eye-opening account of growing up Black, Christian, and female that exposes how white America’s love affair with “diversity” so often falls short of its ideals. “Austin Channing Brown introduces herself as a master memoirist. This book will break open hearts and minds.”—Glennon Doyle, #1 New York Times bestselling author of UntamedAustin Channing Brown’s first encounter with a racialized America came at age seven, when she discovered her parents named her Austin to deceive future employers into thinking she was a white man. Growing up in majority-white schools and churches, Austin writes, “I had to learn what it means to love blackness,” a journey that led to a lifetime spent navigating America’s racial divide as a writer, speaker, and expert helping organizations practice genuine inclusion.In a time when nearly every institution (schools, churches, universities, businesses) claims to value diversity in its mission statement, Austin writes in breathtaking detail about her journey to self-worth and the pitfalls that kill our attempts at racial justice. Her stories bear witness to the complexity of America’s social fabric—from Black Cleveland neighborhoods to private schools in the middle-class suburbs, from prison walls to the boardrooms at majority-white organizations.For readers who have engaged with America’s legacy on race through the writing of Ta-Nehisi Coates and Michael Eric Dyson, I’m Still Here is an illuminating look at how white, middle-class, Evangelicalism has participated in an era of rising racial hostility, inviting the reader to confront apathy, recognize God’s ongoing work in the world, and discover how blackness—if we let it—can save us all.

The Thug That Secured Her Heart

Author: Miss Jenesequa

Category: African-American & Black Interest

Regular price: $2.99

Deal price: Free

Deal starts: February 01, 2024

Deal ends: February 01, 2024

Description:

Love was never on the agenda for Azia Price. She was too focused on building her career, putting it way above love and even herself. Landing an unexpected job at a top marketing firm was a dream come true. And now that a major opportunity for her to become partner pops up, the ambitious beauty is determined to land the new job role. Until everything starts spiraling uncontrollably once her boss’s son, a man too good looking to be true, crashes into her world, threatening everything she has worked so hard to build… by snatching her new dream job. Kalmon Howard is a man who is no stranger to success. Ruling the streets and making endless amounts of cash are just two of the many accomplishments of this sexy, yet ruthless businessman. Never being one to shy away from the sword, Kalmon does anything to protect his family and empire. And those that try to cross him, always wish they hadn’t. After his last headache dealing with his ex, love is the last thing on Kalmon’s mind. He’s more concerned with diving into new business ventures and he sets his sights on the one company he helped build from the ground up. He never had an issue earning respect from anyone… until Azia Price stepped into his life.Like a bee to honey, Azia is drawn to Kalmon and despite her mind convincing her to stay away from this bold stranger, their hold on each other is too powerful. But while the pair become more acquainted, hidden truths start crawling out from every direction. Neither Kalmon nor Azia could have imagined how connected they would become or realize how connected their lives truly are. But they’re surely about to find out and life will never be the same again. Passion and desire fill the pages of this love tale but most of all, deceit. Kalmon secures Azia’s heart but will he also be the person who ultimately breaks it?*PREVIOUSLY RELEASED BOOK*

Roots

Author: Alex Haley

Category: African-American & Black Interest

Regular price: $14.99

Deal price: $4.99

Deal starts: January 30, 2024

Deal ends: January 30, 2024

Description:

Roots: The Enhanced Edition features rare interviews with author Alex Haley from the NBC News Archives that took place as the Roots phenomenon unfolded over 30 years ago. There are also photos, footage, and recordings from the Haley family, all of which provide a unique understanding of Alex Haley’s journey researching and writing the book. In new video interviews NBC’s Tom Brokaw and David Wilson reflect on the story’s lasting impact. Roots is a groundbreaking story of history and family that spanned continents and touched generations. One of the most important books and television series ever to appear, Roots galvanized the nation and created an extraordinary political, racial, social and cultural dialogue that hadn’t been seen since the publication of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The book sold over one million copies in the first year, and the miniseries was watched by an astonishing 130 million people. It also won both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. Roots opened up the minds of Americans of all colors and faiths to one of the darkest and most painful parts of America’s past, and we continue to feel its reverberations today. Roots: The Enhanced Edition is truly definitive--adding unmatched, sweep, context and insight to this ever-relevant classic. The Enhanced Edition features: • Full text of the book • Video introduction and interview with David Wilson • New video interview with Tom Brokaw • Footage of author Alex Haley provided by the NBC News Archives and the Haley family, including Today Show interviews with Tom Brokaw, Roots-related events in the 1970s, an extended interview about the book, and more (45 minutes of video) • Recordings of Alex Haley speaking about researching and writing the book (30 minutes of audio) • 10 rare photos from the Haley family • Essay by Alex Haley • Reading Group Guide • Introduction by Michael Eric Dyson • Extended biography of Haley

Zavier

Author: Tina Martin

Category: African-American & Black Interest

Regular price: $8.99

Deal price: $0.99

Deal starts: January 29, 2024

Deal ends: January 29, 2024

Description:

A break in a normal mundane routine and Zavier’s life is changed forever. It all started with a morning coffee run…Zavier St. Claire is a pediatrician who lives by the book. From the outside looking in, his life is perfect. He has a gorgeous home in the exclusive, Gregg Park Community in Columbia, SC. He comes and goes as he pleases. He has everything he wants. He lacks nothing – at least he ‘thinks’ he lacks nothing. His life takes a shift off its normal course when he meets Nykendy Ingram – the owner of Hott Stuff Coffee Bar. She’s beautiful. Breathtakingly so. And she has a son. A perfect little boy…Nykendy has no interest in dating. She doesn’t care how fine Zavier is – she’s sworn off men after being hurt by her ex who left her. Now, as a single mother, her son is her number one priority. Second to that is the coffee shop she opened to provide for herself and her child. But it’s not easy, especially when the past always comes back to haunt you.*This is a standalone novel in the St. Claire Series. You do not have to read any of the preceding books to understand this one. Zavier is Zander’s twin brother.

My Heart Is a Fool

Author: BriAnn Danae

Category: African-American & Black Interest

Regular price: $2.99

Deal price: Free

Deal starts: January 28, 2024

Deal ends: January 28, 2024

Description:

“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”Malena, a young, free spirited woman in the last year of undergraduate school is trying to figure out where her heart belongs with this thing called love. What she fails to grasp is that the love she’s seeking is not dependent of other’s actions, but of her own. Open emotionally, Malena and her boyfriend Maayad – or what she considers him to be – find themselves struggling to keep faith alive in their relationship. One chance too many has been given, and Malena finds herself torn between what her heart yearns for, and what her mind needs; solace and security.Mellow, and as smooth as silk, Demir has been nothing but the perfect best friend to Malena. Coming to her defense has always came natural to him, and having been placed in the friend zone from the day they met, Demir doesn’t mind his title one bit. In fact, he wore it proudly until he began to see Malena for who she really is; or isn’t so to speak. Though he loves the bond they have, and finds himself curious as to what they could become, his relationship of three years stops him from doing so.Tip-toeing on the edge of temptation, balancing her busy life and strenuous relationships, Malena is forced to make some life altering decisions. Ones she never saw coming until it was too late. In this fast-paced tale of love, loss, and life lessons, BriAnn Danae introduces her readers to a fresh, relatable storyline and set of characters you’ll grow to love, even hate. Being loyal isn’t all it's cracked up to be; especially when you’ve been played the fool in the name of love.