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9780310145592

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An exploration of the lives of Black people throughout American history who were inspired, guided, and fortified by their Christian faith as they challenged injustice. This comprehensive book spans centuries, beginning in 1625 with William, who may have been 'the first child born to an African couple in British-settled North America,' and ending with modern-day figures such as Brenda Salter McNeil, a university professor, pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church, and author of Becoming Brave: Finding the Courage To Pursue Racial Justice Now. The eight chronological sections include an attractive full-page portrait of each subject, followed by short biographies that highlight their achievements and the role of Christianity in their lives. The activists include both well-known names, like Phillis Wheatley, Benjamin Banneker, Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King Jr., Shirley Chisholm, and Toni Morrison, and those who will be new (and equally fascinating) to many readers. Tisby provides helpful context for the biographical sketches, describing how racial segregation and the institution of slavery took hold in the U.S. He uses accessible language that presents his subjects in a humanizing way and effectively illustrates the challenging conditions they endured, but he doesn't make their situations seem completely hopeless. Readers are encouraged to reflect on how they believe they would have acted in various situations. A strong sense of justice and defiance shines through, showing that there is always hope, even when it seems like things will never get better. Informative and engaging. (author's note, bibliography, source notes) (Nonfiction. 9-14) -- Kirkus Reviews * Kirkus Reviews * In this standout companion to his adult book The Spirit of Justice (2024), historian and theologian Tisby highlights over 40 Black individuals from colonial times to present day who have experienced racism and undertook the fight for racial justice in America. Divided into time periods, it offers historical background on the transatlantic slave trade, enslavement, the abolitionist movement during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, the Jim Crow era, and the civil rights movement. Each time period includes short biographies of notable Black individuals, as well as lesser-known activists who were standouts for their lasting impact, like Prathia Hall, who coined the phrase 'I have a dream' before MLK Jr. did, and Anna Arnold Hedgeman and Dorothy Height, who helped plan the 1963 March on Washington. Readers will be gratified to see familiar names and curious to research those they don't know. Including black-and-white profile illustrations and back matter notes and bibliography, this will be a great conversation starter on how to continue the fight for racial justice that these Black leaders started, often despite great hardship. * Booklist *

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Jemar Tisby (BA, University of Notre Dame; MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) s the New York Times bestselling author of The Color of Compromise and the award-winning How to Fight Racism. He is a historian who studies race, religion, and social movements, and serves as a professor at Simmons College of Kentucky, a historically Black college. He is also the founder of The Witness, Inc. an organization dedicated to Black uplift from a Christian perspective. He has written for national news outlets such as The Atlantic, the Washington Post, and the Religion News Service. He has offered television commentary on CNN and is frequently called upon to provide expert insight on current events related to race and Christianity. He has spoken nationwide at colleges, universities, and other organizations.

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