APRIL 2024
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Livin Loud: ARTitation by Chuck D and the Near DEF Experience. Full disclosure, the President of Black Advancement Inc. will be hosting a talk at the Frederick Speaker Series later this month featuring the illustrious MC and in Frederick, Maryland. Although that was a factor in this being the book of the month selection, like every other book in our library this is an exceptional read. Featuring original artwork by Chuck D, the book offers an inside look to the thoughts of the Public Enemy frontman and how he used his music to speak on issues he found to be vital to the people to know and understand, at least through his perspective. So fight the powers that be and celebrate one of the most influential voices and greatest Hip-Hop Emcees of all time and read this book.

MARCH 2024
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think About Race and Identity by Michelle Norris. Norris is probably best know as one of the former anchors at NPR where she did thought provoking pieces that would often times lean into tough subjects such as race. In her latest book, she continues that trend by allowing random people to give her their honest points and perspectives on race and identity here in America. With the primus of “Race. Your Thoughts. Six Words. Please Send” Norris was given those six words and way more. The comments will open the readers eyes to the depth and breadth of racial strife that remains in the everyday lives of Americans with no filters added. This book is indeed a worthy one to add to your library.

FEBRUARY 2024
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Don’t Let Them Bury My Story: The Oldest Living Survivor of the Tulsa Massacre In Her Own Words by Viola Ford Fletcher and Ike Howard. Viola Ford is the last living survivor of the now known Tulsa massacre. In this book, Viola and her grandson Ike Howard recall the painful memories and lasting impact of that event and how she overcame to fight for the recognition of the tragedy. It is only fitting that Don’t Let Them Bury My Story was our selection for Black History Month, for this book perfectly embodies the plight of Black people since “Plymouth Rock landed on us.” The tragedies we must overcome, the resilience we must show under near impossible circumstances, and the continued fight to have our suffering fully recognized in this country. #BHM

JANUARY 2024
The Black Advancement book of the month is The Black History Book, authored, published, contributed, and narrated by DK, David Olusoga, and Dede Davi. The Black History Book examines the achievements and struggles of Black communities across the world up to the modern day, as well as the influence of Black cultures on art, literature, and music the world over. This book can be used as a study guide for the children in your and give them the much needed background and historical base. No better way to start the year then with a book that empowers and inspires.

DECEMBER 2023
The Black Advancement book of the month is the  Local Political Awareness 1st edition by Black Advancement Inc. This is a booklet with the intent get the Black community more engage with their local community politics and better understanding of what local representatives are responsible for.  This will booklet is also a part of our Local Political Awareness Solution and will accompany a short film of interviews with local politicians explaining their positions and the impact it has on the life of everyday citizens. End your year right with another informative booklet from your favorite group of actionist!!

NOVEMBER 2023
The Black Advancement book of the month is An Inconvenient Cop: My Fight to Change Policing in America by Edwin Raymond. Raymond does something that is rare in American policing, he tells the truth. Using his own personal experiences, Raymond explains how the system “is set up to ensure that racial profiling is rewarded, and there are weighty consequences for cops who don’t play along”. With this understanding Raymond is confronted with the choice of either advancing in his chosen profession or be truthful and expose the system for what it actually is resulting in an uncertain future and sure alienation from his fellow officers. This book is a must read for any and all people who believe in justice despite the opposite being viewed and experienced in their daily lives. In short this book offers hope for us all.

OCTOBER 2023
The Black Advancement book of the month is The Counter-Revolution of 1776: Slave Resistance and the Origins of the United States by Gerald Horne. In this fascinating book, Horne posits the much celebrated American Revolution was fought to preserve the institution of slavery within the colonies. Upon first glance, this theory seems to be far-fetched and agenda driven, however when examining the history and the surrounding realities of the contentiousness of slavery within the British Empire at the time, this hypothetical becomes more and more plausible. Coupling this information with the fact that many enslaved Africans were recruited to and fought for the British during the Revolutionary War creates an even more substantive case for Horne’s hypothesis. Regardless of how the reader may feel about the initial intent of this book, any intellectually curious person, fake historian, or book lover will want to read this one! 

SEPTEMBER 2023
The Black Advancement book of the month is Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed History of America by Michael Harriot. If you, like we, love history from a different perspective then you must read Mr. Harriot’s take on America History. Using Black people as the focal point, Harriot gives a blistering take on some of the old favorites that students and former students alike remember from their history classes. Quoting from the Amazon review “With incisive wit, Harriot speaks hilarious truth to oppressive power, subverting conventional historical narratives with little-known stories about the experiences of Black Americans. From the African Americans who arrived before 1619 to the unenslavable bandit who inspired America’s first police force, this long overdue corrective provides a revealing look into our past that is as urgent as it is necessary.” Our sentiments exactly…Read this book!!

AUGUST 2023
The Black Advancement book of the month is Justice is Coming: How Progressives Are Going To Take Over The Country And America Is Going To Love It by Cenk Uygur. Full disclosure, we have major love for Cenk Uygur and the TYT movement. We don’t agree with them 100% of the time, but we love their passion and their pursuit of solutions to problems within America, specifically on political issues. For those unfamiliar with Cenk and The Young Turks (TYT) stances, Justice Is Coming is a microcosm for what they stand for, believe in, and work towards. Although Uygur depends heavily on polling, he makes very strong and convincing points for why a universal health care would work or why a livable (minimum) wage would help everyone. Cenk’s real superpower however is his ability to make the listener and or the reader, which are viewed by political pundits as extreme, as actually the norm and that the government should work towards a more equal society. For all the readers, this book could be your great awakening.  

JULY 2023
The Black Advancement book of the month is Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class by Blair LM Kelley Ph.D. This book again came to our attention via the 1A podcast when Kelley was interviewed by Jenn White. During the interview Dr. Kelley made a statement we’ve never heard someone say on a national media outlet, basically stating that the working class in this country isn’t just uneducated whites in a diner. This book focuses on the Black working class and their impact on America. Using her own personal history to help paint the picture, Dr. Kelley weaves a fascinating tale of how we overcame, sacrificed, and worked our way through racism and discrimination to get to where we are today. Dr. Kelley’s book is needed on so many levels and serves as a valuable reminder of how we defeated the impossible before and in her story offers solutions to the issues we face now by example. Must Read!

JUNE 2023
The Black Advancement book of the month is Poverty, By America by Matthew Desmond. In this necessary manuscript Desmond examines why America, perhaps the wealthiest nation in history, continues to have among the highest population in poverty within the old colonizing nations. His answer… because we benefit from it.   Desmond breaks down how the rich don’t pay their fair share, the middle supports union busting businesses in the name of lower prices, and how the money set aside in these subsidization programs still only see a fraction of the money that is allocated for the people in the programs. Although this book makes the problems of the current system clear, he also suggest solutions to some of the problems and begs for a call to action to combat the problem of poverty in America….sounds familiar to us. Considering we live in times were half the elected officials want to mean test people on welfare and give tax breaks to Warren Buffet, we could definitely stand for more Desmonds and books of this quality!!

MAY 2023
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Black Fortunes: The Story of the First Six African Americans Who Escaped Slavery And Became Millionaires by Shomari Wills. This book tells the unbelievable stories of hardship and eventual financial success of these Black geniuses as they struggled through racial and social injustice only to rise to become among the richest people in America. This book servers both the purpose of showing what imagination, persistence, perseverance, and patience can do and sends a not so subtle message of how difficult life has been for Black people in America. Read this book and use these inspirational figures as motivation to remind you, you can only fail if you give up on yourself.

APRIL 2023
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Shielded: How the Police Became Untouchable by Johanna Schwartz. Schwartz breaks down the laws and regulations that prevent the police from being held accountable and responsible for their actions and why it is no accident. Schwartz breakdown of the justice system in place plainly displays there is no justice to be found, specifically and especially for underprivileged people of color. This book is a must read for all, but if we as a people ever expect to see change that can lead to a more just society, this book should be among the many mandatory readings for every child under the age of 18.

MARCH 2023
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Where Do We Go From Here by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This book takes place during MLK’s hiatus, when his star had been on the decline and had become more disillusioned with the progress he and his colleagues had fought so hard for. This book and the contents within address the reality MLK comes to and his new fight for economic justice for Black and poor people. Although many feel his pivot to economic issues and anti-war stance is what ultimately lead to his assassination, his message was potent, pure, and prophetic.  MLK’s words in Where Do We Go… apply today just as much as they did when he pinned them, showing once again that he was not the hero we deserved but the one we needed.

FEBRUARY 2023
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is South To America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of the Nation by Imani Perry. Perry explores her roots by returning to the South where she grew up to better understand America as a whole. During her journey she peels back the complicated relationship between Black and White people and how the country must concentrate on the convaloted racial messaging that arose from the Southern push to preserve their “way of life”. By Perry using the South as the template for modern America, she quietly reveals how the heart of America is much more identifiable with Confederate viewpoints than the ones promoted and taught in our schools and on the news. This book has won the National Book Award for Nonfiction, and when the reader picks up the book they will see why. Start Black History Month off right with this book!!

JANUARY 2023
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Light We Carry: Overcoming Uncertain Times by Michelle Obama. We all know FLOTUS doesn’t need the Black Advancement’s endorsement to move books, her name and reputation alone will do that. However, the former First Lady’s second book is our first highlighted book of the year because it is spectacular, necessary, and timely. Mrs. Obama addresses the reality of relationships, specifically of marital partners, and shares personal details and experiences that are both relatable and piercing to the point where when interviewed she would reply “maybe I shared too much.” On the contrary, she shared the things that don’t get shared or said out loud. The things this upcoming generation needs to better understand and the old generation foolishly left unsaid when speaking on relationships. Starting the year of reading out on a high note….our only problem as readers is we may have already peaked in month one.

DECEMBER 2022
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Half American: The Epic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II at Home and Abroad by Matthew F. Delmont. Black Advancement Inc. is ending the year with another brilliant work of literature. Half American enthrals the reader with incredible and difficult true stories of the thousands of Black soldiers who fought for America only to be treated like third-class citizen by the very government/country they fought for. Delmont exposes the group think that forced Blacks into subservient roles while serving, how Black soldiers were literally in more danger in America than abroad in some cases, and how the leadership of the Civil Rights movement can be traced directly back to these Black servicemen and women when returning from war back into a segregated society. This book would make a fantastic gift for any lover of history, good writing, and reader in general.

NOVEMBER 2022
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Myth of Equality: Uncovering the Roots of Injustice and Privilege by Ken Wystma. The past two or so years have given all of us an up and close look at the issue of equality in America…or lack there of. The fact of this inequality is not lost on Wystma and he uses both his personal experience and study to address this seemingly never-ending problem within American society. A great read for all who want to better understand the why’s of inequality in America.

OCTOBER 2022
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month Should We Go to Urgent Care?: A Guidebook for Parents of Children in Grades K-8 by Dr. Sarah Irene Washington. Black Advancement Inc. continues to be blessed by its personal relationships with a vast and great range of talented and brilliant people. Dr. Washington, Hampton University Alum, is yet another example of such people. In Should We Go to Urgent Care, Dr. Washington offers a wide array of common illnesses and injuries in young children and the most effective ways to potentially treat these aliments. With more than a decade of experience in pediatric care and over 40,000 patients, one thing remains the same. That is rightfully concerned parent who is overly cautious when caring for a sick and wounded child. Dr. Washington gives the reader an organized guide of various scenarios with great tips and pointers to help steer their decision of whether to attempt home care and monitor for improvement versus seeking medical attention right away. This book is a must have for parents of young school-age children and is available at ShouldWeGoBook.com.

SEPTEMBER 2022
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Seen and Unseen: Technology, Social Media, and the Fight For Social Justice by Marc Lamont Hill and Todd Brewster. With all that has taken place over the past few years, racial and social justice have continued to be the unclearable hurdle in America. Many Black people would argue, correctly, the only thing that has changed in America is that technology has caught up with the previously dismissed claims of unprovoked abusive interactions with law enforcement. Hill and Brewster take this opportunity to dive deep on some of the more explosive cases of these instances caught on camera and reveals the connections between our current news headlines and social media feeds and the country’s long struggle against racism. This book is a must read for anyone seeking clarity on what these newly established historical events mean in the context of American society at large.

AUGUST 2022
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Man Who Broke Capitalism: How Jack Welch Gutted the Heartland and Crushed the Soul of Corporate America – And How to Undo His Legacy by David Gelles. With all this talk of corporate greed, stock buybacks, and switching from pensions to 401k retirement funds, one would have to wonder how did this failed and corrupt system of capitalism come to be.  In reality there are many different reasons and factors, but perhaps no one provides a better example of all that has gone astray better than former GE CEO Jack Welch.  Gelles breaks down how the ruthless tactics implemented by Jack Welch led to both record profits, constant turnover, the belittling of workers rights, and how other CEO’s of publicly traded companies followed his lead causing Welch’s methods to spread through business.  This book is ideal to understanding how the greed of some can impact generations negatively and should serve as a warning for all invested in the future of the country.

JULY 2022
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Movement Made Us: A Father, A Son and the Legacy of a Freedom Rider by David J Dennis Jr. and David J Dennis Sr. This book is an intimate view of the lives of a foundational freedom fighter during the civil rights as documented by his son. Drawing parallels between the movements of their lifetimes, Dennis Sr. and Jr. discuss how the past struggles are still relevant and in most cases still present.  This discussion is had with the heart and touch only an interested son and an introspective father could have.  If you get the opportunity, read this book.

JUNE 2022
Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is All the White Friends I Couldn’t Keep by Andre Henry. Although this title sounds overly harsh, it pales in comparison to the truth of what Henry discovers through his personal experiences with people he considered family.  With Henry’s awakening to the historical and prevailing systemic racism, he comes to the conclusion that only a revolutionary change will reset the system of inequity, in America. He aims for in-depth and concentrated solutions to these ailments and offers more to the reader than the very generalized diversity hires or even civil discourses. This book is a great way to start your summer reading and important conversations about the progression of Black people in the world.

MAY 2022
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Today is Different by Doua Moua and illustrated by Kim Holt. Black Advancement Inc. has had the great fortune of having personal relationships with some of the talented and brilliant authors and illustrators from the B.A. library.  In this case, friend of the organization, Kim Holt displays her supreme talent as an illustrator, but make no mistake readers, this book was selected because of its engaging story and powerful message, along with its pitch-perfect artwork.  The story revolves around two friends, one Black and one Hmong, who do everything together.  However, when an incident between law enforcement and the Black Community occurs, the children are pressed into a real world situation in which they must make decisions to either ignore the situation or stand-up for what they feel is right.  This book is perfect for children coming of age and just coming to the realization of the world they are about to enter.  If you have a child at this age, do them a favor and buy them this book!!!

APRIL 2022
Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy’s Guide To The Constitution by Elie Mystal. Mystal has been a long time pundit of all things political and legal and more often than not sounds like the people watching the television more than the person who is on it.  Mystal takes his plain talk, no nonsense brilliance from the tv screen to his first book and deliveries page after page of great talking points to combat all the usual arguments against Black people utilizing all of the rights afford to them as Americans.  He also employs the same strategy for political issues that often impact and plague the Black Community.  This must read book should be mandatory reading for aspiring intellectuals, frustrated revolutionaries, schoolyard lawyers, great debaters, and all those in-between.  This book may be the best of the year and is one of the most anticipated books in BA’s large library.

MARCH 2022
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Jada’s Journey Under the Sea by Dr. Jeanette Davis and illustrated by Yhonny Sanoja. My dear sister and fellow Hampton University Alum has created a fantastic introductory book for kids interested in life under the water.  As a Marine Microbiologist, Dr. Davis guides young readers through the ocean using Jada as the catalysts.  This book is a fun way to educate the child in your life about ocean sciences and how the next generation can care for and protect the ocean.  Dr. Davis is an accomplished scientist, bestselling author and speaker.  Her children science books are available on Amazon. You can find out more about her, get autographed copies of her book or connect with her through her website www.drjeanettedavis.com.  If you have such a person in your life, do them a favor and buy them this book!!!

FEBRUARY 2022
Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Critical Race Theory: The Key Writings That Formed A Movement edited by Kimberle Crenshaw, Neil Gotanda, Garry Peller, and Kendall Thomas. After starting the year with the book that started the paranoia over Critical Race Theory, we decided to go to the actual book.  This book was first published in 1996 and consists of a myriad of essays that “… approach to grappling with a history of white supremacy that rejects the belief that what’s in the past is in the past, and that the laws and systems that grow from that past are detached from it.”  Happy reading, Better Black History Month!!!

JANUARY 2022
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The 1619 Project: A New Origin by Nikole Hannah-Jones & Martha S. Jones. If you want to know where all of the Critical Race Theory (CRT) paranoia started, look no further than Nikole Hannah-Jones groundbreaking essay series 1619 Project. The 1619 Project provided a much fuller picture of the history of America and may historically be remembered as the first touchnote of the “racial reckoning” of 2020. This book is that and more with more in-depth essays on the impact of Black people on America. Best way to start your year right!!

DECEMBER 2021
Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Credit Commandments Volume 4 by Black Advancement Inc. This is the fourth installment of BA Inc.’s Credit manual. Each volume has more and more information and gets better and better. If you want to get out of debt, stay out of debt, or want to financially flourish this is a must read.

 

NOVEMBER 2021
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Kill Switch: The Rise of the Modern Senate and the Crippling of American Democracy by Adam Jentleson. In this book, Jentleson completely deconstructs why the filibuster is not only an unnecessary obstruction to legislation that could greatly improve the lives of all Americans, but also how the use of the filibuster from its inception has been patently racist.  Using history as his smoking gun, Jentleson shows example after example of how the filibuster was used to specifically delay, deny, and destroy civil rights to Black Americans since the end of the Civil War through to today.  Considering the current kerfuffle over fundamental rights such as voting rights, it would appear Jentleson is spot in with his analysis.

OCTOBER 2021
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is From Here to Equality: Reparations for Black Americans in the Twenty-First Century by William A. Darity and Kirsten Mullen. Since the tumultuous year of 2020, the topic of reparations for Black people in America has come back into the mainstream frame, even only if on the outskirts.  This new found interest has sparked several national discussion on what reparations would look like, who would receive them, and why they should be paid in full.  Darity and Mullen make these arguments and provide a validity that would led even the biggest reparation opponents to question why this has not happened yet.  If you want to know and understand the issue of reparations better, Darity and Mullen’s work will do the heavy lifting for you. 

SEPTEMBER 2021
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Sum Of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone And How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee. To truly understand the depths of how racist the American system really is, you would have to study the thing it values the most…money!!  McGhee takes this opportunity to accurately and carefully explain why the majority white population of America, when given a choice, has always chosen to not dedicate resources or remove resources from anything that could benefit Black people.  If you sincerely want to understand the why of Black people’s overall condition in this country, this is one of the books you must add to your dossier.

AUGUST 2021
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Triumph of Doubt: Dark Money And The Science of Deception by David Michaels. There are good faith disagreements and discussions where both sides of an issue have good grounds for their respective opinions and then there are politicians and corporations who seem to purposefully promote information and findings that are false and misleading (think tobacco companies from back in the day) in order to extend the profitability of their product.  David Michaels book addresses these false stances and gives insight into both the formation of them and the motivation behind them. Unfortunately, we are all too familiar with how dangerous misinformation can be, specifically with a gullible population stick in thought bubbles that reinforce said information.  One way to combat this problem….researching and reading.  

JULY 2021
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Never Pay the First Bill: And Other Ways to Fight the Health Care System and Win by Marshall Allen. As many of you know, medical bills are among one of the biggest bankrupters for American’s.  This of course is due to several factors, however, the primary reasons many Americans can’t afford to pay their medical bills revolve around hidden fees such as “going out of your network” without one’s knowledge or overpricing for something like an Ace bandage.  Allen discusses all of these issues and more in this book and how the average person can fight back against the financial-first medical system we have in this country.  Our organization believes strongly in fighting against the powers that be when those powers have shown a lack of humanity and equity, and because we do, we strongly recommend this book!!

JUNE 2021
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed.  This book dives into the history of the sacred holiday for Black Americans and focuses on how the end of slavery was only the beginning of their struggle.  With the new fought for freedom, Blacks expected to have the same opportunities as their former enslavers, however Gordon-Reed exposes the atrocities, inequality, and the lack of acceptance towards the Blacks despite being freed.  Take the time to read and reflect on this as the Black independence day arrives to better understand and appreciate all the sacrifices and hardship of your ancestors as you recognize and celebrate Juneteenth.

MAY 2021
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Jericho Cutter by Jason B. Ryan & Tonio Maicon. Full disclosure, Jason B. Ryan is a friend of Black Advancement Inc. in several capacities, including being a part of our Recommended Website section and is one of the host on the HollyHood Zoomcast.  However, the primary reason we are promoting this project from Mr. Ryan is because this debut book of the Jericho Cutter comic book series is dope!!!  Jericho Cutter is a dark, action-packed, cyberpunk, sci-fi series that follows the journey of a man with no memory of his identity as he pieces together memories of his past to achieve his true power and save the world from the oppressive, malevolent and powerful organization that is hunting him.  Get on the bandwagon while there is still room!!!

APRIL 2021
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America by Anthea Butler.  It has become an uncomfortable truth for the majority of Christians that attend church services one of the most segregated times in American life is on Sundays morning.  However, the reasons why may shock you…or perhaps not.  Anthea Butler’s book goes deeper and tells the historical ties between White evangelicals and their resistance to everything that would advance the freedoms of any persons who are not White and male, specifically Black people.  She takes the reader through the history of the evangelical church and fully displays how White supremacist rhetoric and views have flourish in one of the most politically powerful voting blocks in a nation founded on freedom of religion and the separation of church and state.  Within the organization, this has been one of the most anticipated books of the year and we believe that readers the world over will love it too! 

MARCH 2021
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II by Douglas A. Blackmon. This book uses the stories of freed slaves to illustrate the vicious and purposeful re-enslavement of Black people through laws reenforced by the US government.  This book has been mentioned as the catalyst to the likes of Shaun King and the work that he does for the North Star.  This book fits in perfectly with the times as we all struggle to enforce consequences for past and present wrongs by pointing out their impact, which can be felt even today. 

FEBRUARY 2021
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein.  This book is considered one of the best at explaining the current state of America and the clear affirmative action given to White Americans at the behest of the US Government.  With policies explored and the aftermath displayed, Rothstein painfully shows the guts of the phrase “systematic racism” and removes the scales of whataboutism and other deflective tactics from the eyes of doubters.  To read this book is to recognize America needs the same aggression and overwhelming power to enact and reverse the very injustice they so willing implemented decades and decades before. 

JANUARY 2021
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Black Futures by Kimberly Drew and Jenna Wortham. This audacious project combines art with social media and the theme of what makes “The Culture” in its truest form.  Black Futures doesn’t only give you the relevance and insight of the current times but also gives the reader glimpses of what may be on the horizon, exhibiting brilliant conversation starting segments of written word and even more examples of stunning artistry throughout the book. This book is the hopeful reset we all deserve, from a year we all are too happy to move past….glasses up to a Black future. 

DECEMBER 2020
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Stakes is High: Life After the American Dream by Mychal Denzel Smith.  It isn’t often that a book emotes the feeling of an entire nation in advance, but Smith does that very thing.  He holds a mirror up to America pre-pandemic, showing all the flaws yet to be widely excepted by greater America.  He so plainly verbalizes the frustration of being a Black person in America by both giving voice to the unfair systematic treatment and highlighting the ease in which White people can coast in and out of the fight for equity for all.  This book is the perfect bookend to a year such as this one!

NOVEMBER 2020
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month isThe Kerner Report by the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders. This may be the most important book we have ever promoted and despite being published in 1968, everything mentioned in it still applies to this day. We pride ourselves on using our own words when reviewing a book, however this synopsis from the Economic Policy Institute is spot on. “The Kerner Commission, delivered a report to President Johnson examining the causes of civil unrest in African American communities. The report named “white racism”—leading to “pervasive discrimination in employment, education and housing”—as the culprit, and the report’s authors called for a commitment to “the realization of common opportunities for all within a single [racially undivided] society.” The Kerner Commission report pulled together a comprehensive array of data to assess the specific economic and social inequities confronting African Americans in 1968.” READ THIS BOOK!!  

OCTOBER 2020
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Black Fatigue: How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body, and Spirit by Mary-Frances Winters.  Winters has created a piece of literature that is both befitting of our times and a unique study of the mental, physical, and spiritual toll of being Black in this world.  While explaining and focusing on the myriad of issues that simple being Black pose, Winters exposes how real the struggle is and always has been for Black people in a way that can be measured and understood by all.  This book will soon become one of the racial justice reads…don’t believe us….. just watch!

SEPTEMBER 2020
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent by Isabel Wilkerson.  In this riveting account of America’s history, Isabel, shows the fissures and cracks of American society and delves into the horrific treatment of Black people.  With stunning facts and revelations revealed at every turn, the reader will not only be reeducated on the lasting impact of the mistreatment of Black people in America, they will also see the most evil regimes ever amassed utilized these oppressive tactics as well.  A timely read for all who wish to seek truth.

AUGUST 2020

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is How The South Won The Civil War: Oligarchy, Democracy, and the Continuing Fight For the Soul of America by Heather Cox Richardson.  This book breaks down America’s leaders and politicians constant capitulation to the southern narrative of the Lost Cause and how that capitulation handicapped America morally and set up an economic environment that favors the powerful.  Richardson focuses on these failures mostly through the western expansion during and after the Civil War.  If you want a courageous account on the why’s of our current political, economic, and health status, this book may be for you!!  

SEPTEMBER 2020

David Ellis.  On rare occasion, we here at Black Advancement Inc. have the fortune of knowing some of the great authors, business owners, and legends we feature throughout our website.  This one is extra special as we feature the debut book of a friend of ours and fellow Hampton Alum Tim Lee.  Lee’s story focuses on a young boy named James, who is both innocent in his perspective and unflinchingly human in his solution to a perceived problem.  With the guidance of his mother James gains understanding and healing as she teaches him a valuable lesson.  This wonderfully illustrated and extraordinarily timed book is perfect for a birthday gift, good night story, or summer read for your little readers at home.  In short,  we approve this message!!! 

For more information on Tim Lee’s work visit www.timleecreations.com/books 

JUNE 2020

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Day Freedom Died: The Colfax Massacre, the Supreme Court, and the Betrayal of the Reconstruction by Charles Lane.  This book recounts the horrific events that took place in Colfax, Louisiana before, during, and after over 150 Blacks were slaughtered by a mob of angry Whites who wanted to stop Blacks from exercising their newly established rights.  This book is just another chapter in the long and brutal history of Black people fighting for their right to exist in America.  Unfortunately, we can still relate to this plight right now.

MAY 2020

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Race Against Time: A Reporter Reopens the Unsolved Murder Cases of the Civil Rights Era by Jerry Mitchell.  Usually we like to give our own description of the selection, however we felt the Amazon review did justice to the importance of Mitchell’s book. “In Race Against Time, Mitchell takes readers on the twisting, pulse-racing road that led to the reopening of four of the most infamous killings from the days of the Civil Rights Movement, decades after the fact. His work played a central role in bringing killers to justice for the assassination of Medgar Evers, the firebombing of Vernon Dahmer, the 16th Street Church bombing in Birmingham and the Mississippi Burning case. Mitchell reveals how he unearthed secret documents, found long-lost suspects and witnesses, building up evidence strong enough to take on the Klan.”  One more thing readers, realize these grave injustices took place during your Grandparents or your parents lifetime….read, understand, and act! 

APRIL 2020

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Tacky’s Revolt: The Story of an Atlantic Slave War by Vincent Brown.  Although Brown exposes the mighty feats of Tacky and his revolt, he also manages to show the totality of the slave trade and how internal strife, in Europe, Africa, and the Americas played a critical role in the continuation of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.  This is a perfect book to broaden ones understanding of the horrors of slavery, bi-hemispheric turmoil that fueled it, and the heroic actions  of the people who refused to be owned.

MARCH 2020

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Wilmington’s Lie: The Murderous Coup of 1898 and the Rise of White Supremacy by David Zucchino.  This year BA Inc. has made it a goal to focus on the little known and often disturbing history of the United States, particularly when dealing with the Black Community.  Zucchino’s book is a perfect example of this theme.  His book is based on the coup perpetuated by the White supremacists in Wilmington, NC in the late 1890’s to devastate the thriving and politically active Black middle-class there.  This event was not only not taught in schools some years later, proof of it occurring was bound under lock and key by the local government in Wilmington for around a century.  So to all my reading Advancers and aspiring ones, read this book about history or you may be doomed to ….you know the rest!

FEBRUARY 2020

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is This Nonviolent Stuff’ll Get You Killed: How Guns Made The Civil Rights Movement Possible by Charles E. Cobb Jr.  This book shines a light on the unacknowledged use of guns by Blacks, including the leaders of the nonviolent Civil Rights Movement, to protect themselves and their families against White supremacists, which often times were a part of the law enforcement apparatus. Cobb’s ability to relate the danger of being Black in America, will cause the reader to question why Black gun ownership is not only often downplayed when learning of the history of the Civil Rights Movement, but also how the perspective on Black ownership has shifted in the Black Community today.  This is the perfect book for Black History Month.  It gives the reader a more full image of the Black experience and resistance, while simultaneously creating an internal debate of  how to move forward in the ideals of freedom and revolution with the question of which weapon is best to do so.

JANUARY 2020

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Poisoner In Chief: Sidney Gottlieb and the CIA Search For Mind Control by Stephen Kinzer.  Start off the new year right with a page turner the reader will swear is based on a Netflix special.  This book delivers on some eye-opening admissions and redefine how the reader may think of the “Hippie generation.”  If you are a lover of government secrets, espionage, or down-right suspicious, this is the book for you.

 

DECEMBER 2019

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Bitter Root comic book series by David F. Walker, Chuck Brown, and illustrated by Sanford Greene.  Christmas is right around the corner and if you have a little reader who wants to see themselves represented in the vast world of comic books this series is great idea.  The Sangreye family are monster hunters fighting against the evil spirits of Harlem during the Renaissance.  Journey with them through their latest adventure and marvel at the beautiful artwork done to this cool new series.  PS ….there are rumors Ryan Coogler, director of Black Panther, Creed I & II, and Fruitvale Station, may do an adaptation of this series!!! 

NOVEMBER 2019
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Fire Is Upon Us by Nicholas Buccola.  Arguable one of the greatest, or at least one of the most memorable, debates has been captured in this new book by Buccola.  This book focuses on the path prior to the debate, the debate, and the fallout from the mens verbal heavyweight fight.  In many ways, the views taken by Baldwin and Buckley still echo in the debate on race and the American dream to this day.  This book is a must read for all who want to both add speaking points to their view and to get a jump on the people that oppose your point of view in verbal altercations.

OCTOBER 2019
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is A Terrible Thing To Waste: Environmental Racism and It’s Assault on the American Mind by Harriet A. Washington.  Recently, the environmental issue has been pushed front and center thanks to a heroic younger generations of environmental activist.  However, in the midst of all this focus about the continued warming of the earth, the daily misconduct of big corporations and feckless politicians are having a real impact on the Black community.  We will leave you with this fact from the book “Nearly two of every five African American homes in Baltimore are plagued by lead-based paint. Almost all of the 37,500 Baltimore children who suffered lead poisoning between 2003 and 2015 were African American.“

SEPTEMBER 2019
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Boy Crisis: Why Our Boys Are Struggling and What We Can Do About It by Warren Farrell, PhD and John Gray, PhD.  This book was brought to Our attention from CSPAN’s Washington Journal.  When first hearing about the book, We had assumed it was just going to be a half-baked, right wing approach to what it meant to be a “man” and how this generation of boys needs to toughen up.  However, when actually going through the book the reader will very quickly come to realize that the information is not only brilliant, its actionable and accurate.  Every school in America should strongly consider making this mandatory reading for teachers and every leader of any organization that deals with boys should as well.  We honestly can’t recommend this book enough!

AUGUST 2019
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead.  Based on true events, this book was brought to Our attention again from NPR’s A1 podcast.  Although the characters and their background stories were straight from the mind of the award winning author along with the name of the institution, this story brings to life the horrific reality of a “Boys Academy” in Florida that was notorious for it’s physically and sexually abuse of young boys, specifically Black boys, until it was shut down after 2010.  The brutality of the boys condition is only rivaled by Whiteheads brilliance.  Read the book, check the history, tell the story!

JULY 2019
The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment is Killing America’s Heartland by Jonathan M. Metzl.  This book focuses on the heartland of America and how the people in these poor rural communities continuously vote for policies that work against them.  To be honest, many people outside of the poor, white, and “uneducated” voting block are pretty sick and tired of America catering to these low IQ voters.  The steady pandering to this particular segment has slowed the progression of America and the Black community since the end of the Civil War.  So why is this the BA book of the month?  It’s simple, the more you know the facts the better you can combat ignorance, whether that be your own or your adversaries on the issues.  Whether they believe it or not however is a different matter.

JUNE 2019

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Vegan Soulfood Guide to the Galaxy by Ayfa Ibomu.  We know, we know, you are not a vegan, you see this as a trend at best or judgmental with the belief you are a better person because of your personal eating habits.  All misconceptions and jokes aside, there is nothing wrong with at least expanding your pallet and cooking bonafides with this dynamic cookbook, specifically in the Black Community where we suffer more from health issues such as heart disease or diabetes.  Ibomu not only gives you the recipes to make a delicious healthy meal but also the history, science, and philosophy behind veganism and has received rave reviews from both vegans and carnivores alike.

MAY 2019

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker: A Memoir in Essays by Damon Young.  This has been among the most talked about books of this year.  Damon Young, Co-Founder of VerySmartBrothas.com,  addresses the mental gymnastics that a typical young Black man has to do on a daily basis just to make it through the day.  The Pittsburgh native tells his story and how he sees the shifting of what it means to be Black and how these changes impact him and his outlook on life.  If you are looking for a thought-provoking and humorous book to read for the summer, start with this one.

APRIL 2019

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon.  Heavy is the weight loss book that America needs.  This book was highlighted on the NPR’s 1A, with Laymon making such an impression on us not only about Heavy, but all his works.  Originally, Laymon sought out to write a weight loss book, but instead it turned into a book about the weight of being a Black boy growing up in Mississippi with a mother hell bent on making sure he survives the harsh realities awaiting him.  Instead of showing how to shed the pounds, the book focuses on the weight of being young, gifted, and Black in American….Read this book!

MARCH 2019

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is White Flight: Atlanta and the Making of Modern Conservatism by Kevin Kuse.  Kuse uses the city of Atlanta as a proxy for how “white flight” in the1960s and 70s was an act of white resistance towards the advances made for Black people during the civil rights movement.  Kuse shows the “white flight” strategy impact throughout America and how segregationist used politics, dog whistles, and policies to further entrench their view and values to “white Americans.”  This book gives the reader the feel of being let in on a dirty secret, despite the fact that the secret was never veiled.  Good read!

FEBRUARY 2019

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley  by Malcolm X, Alex Haley, and Attallah Shabazz.  Of all the books I have personally been told about and implored to read, this is arguable the best reviewed among them.  Every Black revolutionary thinker involved in the progression of the Black Community has this as a must read.  This story is captivating because of how it is written but critically acclaimed for who it was written about.  Malcolm X’s is a man of constant evolution and understanding, making him the ideal subject for self reflection.  Honest, brilliant, self-assured, …Malcolm X.   Nothing more need be said!!

JANUARY 2019

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Unseen: Unpublished Black History from the New York Times Photo Archives by Darcy Eveleigh, Dana Canedy, Damien Cave, and Rachel L. Swarns.   I had the fortune to receive this gem as a gift over this past holiday.  The beautiful images of black people from yesteryear and the stories behind them, prove how beautiful and brilliant Black people are.  I Black Advancement Inc. highly recommend you start the new year right with this heart filling page turner.

DECEMBER 2018

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” by Zora Neale Hurston.  This has been arguable the best book of 2018 according to critics and readers.  With just as good of a back story as the actual story, the release of Barracoon over 90 years after it was initially penned exhibits both the lack of interest in civil rights back then and highlights the continued  dehumanization of being a Black person in America now.  This first hand account of the entire slave trade process will touch your soul and leave you in a place of wonderment about your fellow man and if they have ever truly seen you as human let alone equal.

NOVEMBER 2018

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Credit Commandments Volume 3 by Black Advancement Inc.  This is the third installment of BA Inc.’s Credit manual.  Each volume has more and more information and gets better and better.  If you want to get out of debt, stay out of debt, or want to financially flourish this is a must read.

 

OCTOBER 2018

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orisha) by Tomi Adeyemi.  This book has been widely regarded as the Black version of Harry Potter and has garnered a following similar to the classic book series.  Although the target audience would seem to be preteen and young teen women, particularly of color, the themes and characters of the book are relatable for both men and women of all ages and ethnicities.  If you have daughter/child of this age and loves to read this is the perfect book for when it gets cold outside.

SEPTEMBER 2018

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Hannibal Barca: The Lion of Carthage by Peachill (a collaborative effort with Elizabeth Selin, Jeff Hortman, Jens Cromer, Darcy Werkman, Rob Allen, and Darwin Lopena.  This book is a fun read and take on the life and times of one of the greatest military minds to ever walk the Earth and his never ending struggle against the Roman Empire.  If you want to explore and understand a all too often fascinating phase in history pick up this book.

 

AUGUST 2018

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The World As It Is: A Memoir of the Obama White House by Ben Rhodes.  Ben Rhodes served as President Barack Obama’s foreign policy adviser and speechwriter throughout his entire presidency.  In the book, Rhodes reveals Obama’s innermost hopes and thoughts while trying to balance uncooperative Republicans with a world and nation struggling to regain its footing.  This is an honest and sober look at the world and is a must read for anyone who dares to change it.

JULY 2018

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Deadly Force: A Police Shooting And My Family’s Search for the Truth by Lawrence O’Donnell.  O’Donnell is better known as the host of MSNBC’s The Last Word , but in this very personal and timely account, he revisits his fathers fight against the Boston Police over the shooting of a man.  This book speaks to the corruption of law enforcement and debunks the myth of the action of one rouge cop and the idea that police shootings are a recent phenomenon.  Must read for all.

JUNE 2018

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi.  This book is widely regarded as one of the best non-fiction books of 2016 and an award winner.  Kendi’s book examines how the idea of racial discrimination becomes practices of racial discrimination.  Kendi’s historical breakdown and clear-minded writing makes for a fascinating and necessary read!

 

MAY 2018

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Big Guns: A Novel by Steve Israel.  The Congressman writes a satirical book about congress passing a law that forced everyone to buy a gun.  Although this book is satirical, it does not mean many of the stories, actions, and beliefs found within the book aren’t true.  Israel took many of his examples from his day job and from his interactions with his colleagues, which is both funny and damning.  This is an appropriate read for the times we live in for sure!

 

APRIL 2018

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Negrophobia and Reasonable Racism: The Hidden Costs of Being Black in America by Jody David Armour.  This book was brought to Our attention by Tim Wise Podcast and discusses how the system and white people rationalize the violence and over policing of the Black Community.  This book was written in the 1990’s as a response to the L.A. Riots (Uprising) and is eerily relevant today.  We believe this book is a must read for Black people to better understand the dynamics of Our social interactions with law enforcement and white people and to know no matter what We do they still see Us as a threat.

MARCH 2018

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Incognegro: A Graphic Mystery by Mat Johnson and Warren Pleece.  Incognero is a graphic novel about a Black man who uses his near white pigmentation to go undercover and solve racially motived crimes against Black people in the pre Civil Rights era.  For many well read and well studied Black people, “passing” has always been a knock against a persons integrity and reflects the disturbing societal shaming of Black people in America.  However, this graphic novel turns that shaming on its head and instead into the superpower of invisibility.  This is a must read for all ages.  The historical content for the older readers and fantastic illustration for the younger!

FEBRUARY 2018

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison.  Full disclosure, in the circles We run in this book was the most popular Christmas gift for daughters, God-daughters, and nieces of a certain age.   This book is not only choked full of great facts and information about the women, it also is one of the most inspiring reads of late last year and early 2018 for Black youth.  This book checks every box of need for young black girls and is a must read!

JANUARY 2018

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Born A Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah.  Noah speaks about his upbringing and how his mothers revolutionary spirit empowered him to think freely in spite of living in South Africa during the years of Apartheid.  His stories speak to the different castes system he was forced to live under and how his mother and her family taught him how to see through it.  An entertaining read that can help put your mind at ease…well at least for now.

DECEMBER 2017

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Defining Moments in Black History: Reading Between the Lines by the one and only Dick Gregory.  Before departing Us all for greater pastures, the legend blessed Us with one more gift in this fantastic book.  Gregory recounts great moments in Black History from the invention of the Jheri Curl to the Black Lives Matter movement.  Salute to the man who helped define what it means to be a strong Black man in America.

NOVEMBER 2017

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is I Can’t Breathe: A Killing on Bay Street by Matt Taibbi.  Taibbi goes deep into the history of Eric Gardner and the people who witnessed his murder on Bay Street.  This account hits hard and will definitely leave the reader hurt and shocked at the inner-workings of the justice system.  I Can’t Breathe isn’t the name of the book only because they were the last words of Eric Gardner, but also because of the choke hold the systems seems to have on the neck of poor Black and Brown Communities.

OCTOBER 2017

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Black Stats: African Americans by the Numbers in the Twenty-first Century by Monique W. Morris.  “There are lies, there are damn lies, and there are statistics” is often a phrase used to show how data can be manipulated to support whatever one wishes. This book however does more than give numbers, it gives a snapshot of how Black Americans are fairing in the 21st century.  Using the information from this book, We can see where Our efforts need to be directed in the Black Community and also where We can make a path for the youth.

SEPTEMBER 2017

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson Ph.D.  The acclaimed historian takes this opportunity to show the systematic attack against Black Americans since the end of the Civil War to current day, circa 2016.  Anderson breaks down the planned and mobilized efforts to keep the false narrative of white supremacy alive and how it has been cloaked in political dog-whistling, policies, and rhetoric in order to justify it.  This book is the goto to bolster your points when in a discussion on what White privilege is.

AUGUST 2017

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Our Black Year: One Family’s Quest to Buy Black in America’s Racially Divided Economy  by Maggie Anderson.  This book exposes the plight of both Black businesses and the Black buyers.  Considering how big of consumers Black people are it would be a huge benefit to all of Us to buy Black, however the truth is We neither have the businesses or unity yet to make buying Black major.  Lucky for all of Us, Maggie Anderson created the blueprint through trial and effort.  This book is right on time and should be used as a touchstone for the future of Black America.

JULY 2017

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Locking Up Our Own: Crime and Punishment in Black America by James Forman Jr.  The justice system within the US has long been an issue for Black people and has proven to be bias against Us. One overlooked aspect however, has been Our contribution to high rates of Black prisoners in the name of safety.  James Forman Jr. does the dirty work of showing the misguided policies and opinions of some of Our leaders that lead to the mass incarceration of entire generation of Black folks. Like Cam Newton says “Hindsight is 50 50”!

JUNE 2017

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America by Ira Berman.  If the past 12 months have taught Us anything, it has taught Us the strength of a vote, or in this past election, the lack there of.  Berman evokes the speech delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  when he asked legislatures to grant Blacks the ability to exercise their civic duty and reflects on the modern tricks employed by political parities to prevent voter participation.  By exposing the shameless acts of legislations throughout the nation, he also exposes the hypocrisy of what America is suppose to represent compared to the ugly reality.  This book is right on time and should be used as a touchstone for anyone invested in the future of politics in America.

MAY 2017

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It by CharIamagne Tha God.  This book has been critically acclaimed and praised by a variety of public figures.  The premise of the book is to be honest to yourself and true to your truths.  Using examples from his own life experiences, Charlemagne shows that belief and passion are just as important as formal training and is the living embodiment of making your own lane and driving to the finish.  A very necessary read for the Black youth and very timely for Black adults!

APRIL 2017

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Whitewashing Race: The Myth of a Color-Blind Society by Michael K. Brown, Martin Carnoy, Elliott Currie, Troy Duster, David B. Oppenheimer, Marjorie M. Schultz, and David Wellman.  There has long been a gap in the way that White and Black Americans see America as a society.  While many White Americans are under the mindset that racism is all but gone, Black Americans have stood steadfast in their collective opinion that racism is alive and kicking.  This book address these opinions through the voice of experts from fields varying from sociologists to economists.  The results are enlightening and necessary.

MARCH 2017

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is When Affirmative Action Was White: An Untold History of Racial Inequality in Twentieth Century America by Ira Katznelson.  This book accurately focuses on all of the government programs created to, and greatly did, benefit the white working class American.  We really wanted to draw attention to this book because it clearly shows the hypocricy displayed by the white working class of America on issues of fairness and assistance for any other population within the United States.  This book will make many of the points readers may feel but never knew how to verbalize or give a specific examples of white privilege. A must read and a must share!

FEBRUARY 2017

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Why Are All the Black Kid Sitting Together in the Cafeteria: And Other Conversations About Race by  Beverly Daniel Tatum.  I was originally informed about and recommended this book by my cousin.  She told me “this book sounds like it fits into your Black Administration thing.”  Disrespect aside, (just kidding family) her assessment of the book was accurate.  Tatum ask the question people both want and need to ask when it comes to dealing with race in America.  By showing many micro interactions and examples, Tatum has captured the macro problems involved with the nations ongoing issue with race relations.

JANUARY 2017

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Racial Matters: The FBI’s Secret File on Black America, 1960-1972 by Kenneth O’Reilly.  Considering the climate of protest and political upheaval over this past year, Our first book harkens back to a time with similar circumstances.  O’Reilly focuses on the FBI’s systematic and disturbing practice of destroying groups, particularly Black groups, who fought against the oppressive forces and laws in America.  His book shows the dirty details on how far the government will go to protect it’s system, even if it’s wrongheaded.  A good reminder that just because We aren’t the main course, doesn’t mean We still aren’t on the menu.

DECEMBER 2016

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Spectacle: The Astonishing Life of Ota Benga by  Pamela Newkirk.  Although this book centers on the mistreatment Ota Benga, the real shame of the story is the wide acceptability of this mistreatment.  Newkirk puts up the mirror of history and the reflection is ugly, honest, and exhibits the power of an agenda.  The children of America need more books like this so they can understand how deep the issues of race are embedded into the hearts, minds, and history of Our country!!!

NOVEMBER 2016

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Black Ice by Lorene Cary.  We here at BA Inc. have had the fortune to know some pretty extraordinary people and they tend to pull our legs to up and coming artist, poets, and authors.  In the case of Lorene Cary, this very scenario took place.  The book that was recommended to Us from Lorene Cary, Black Ice, has drawn comparisons to other great memoirs from the likes of Maya Angelou.  Cary draws from her experience as the groundbreaker in a world constructed to keep her out and writes  a fascinating account how she made her way through.  This book will further expose hard truths We all already know about America and show how much a persons will can overcome any and all obstacles.

OCTOBER 2016

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is A People’s History of the United States by Howard  Zinn.   This book is widely considered one of the best history books ever written  about the history of the United States of America.  By reading this book you will be able to see and understand how we as a nation have gotten to this point and make up your own mind on whether America was ever truly great, let alone great again .  Great read…better yet…must read!!!

 

SEPTEMBER 2016

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Isis Papers: The Key to the Colors by Dr. Frances Cress Welsing.  As We looked through  Our bevy of selections for B.A. Books of the Month, We were remise this book was not featured already.   Before documentaries like Hidden Colors, this book talked about the physiological warfare of racism and how impactful it is on the mental state of Black people.  Her theories and reasoning will force any reader to reexamine moments, actions, and reactions from their past.  This book has been proven to be a can’t miss and a must read….what are you waiting for go find it and read it!

AUGUST 2016

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Prince of Darkness: The Untold Story of Jeremiah G. Hamilton, Wall Street’s First Black Millionaire by Shane White.  Prince of Darkness reveals the life of one of the most successful men of his era.  Follow Jeremiah Hamilton through the words and research of Shane White as he chronicles the struggles and success of his incredible story.  He was a man revered and hated by his peers for not only his skin color but also for his keen wit and unwillingness to conform to the “social norms” of the day.  This book is yet another example of Black people overcoming impossible odds and will leave the reader wondering how many more of Our stories are untold?  Good thing you have free membership to the BA Book of the Month Club!!!

JULY 2016

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Blood Brothers: The Fatal Friendship Between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X by Randy Roberts and Johnny Smith.  Blood Brothers chronicles the relationships between the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali and how the friendship between X and Ali was frowned upon by everyone who held sway on them personally and professionally.  This riveting book will leave the reader tired and restless from lack of sleep due to the intrigue and great writing within its pages.  Stamp of approval!!!

JUNE 2016

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Muhammad Ali in Perspective by Thomas Hauser with the cooperation of Muhammed Ali.  In honor of the G.O.A.T. and his recent passing, We decided to choose a book that embodies the champion in stunning pictorial and literary forms.  He was so full of life and color that his life can be best described in photos.  With approximately 170 pages each containing beautiful photos and quotes from people in his life, the brashness, the defiant, the overcomer, the champion, the Greatest is fully captured.  We salute you Champ, and may We all one day have the boldness and courage of Our convictions to establish and accomplish Our life’s goals with the speed and the grace of the Butterfly…Muhammad Ali.

MAY 2016

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Family Tree: A Lynching in Georgia, a Legacy of Secrets, and My Search for the Truth by Karen Branan.  This magnificent book was brought to Our attention by Ronald Martin’s TVOne News Now Show.  This non fictional account of Karen Branan’s family history speaks to the messy, twisted, and ugly nature of America and its ongoing issues with its original sin.  As a young women Karen noticed her parents, who she deems as having racist attitudes, never discussed the issue of race in a reasonable tone.  This issues came to the forefront when Karen discovers she was going to become a Grandmother to a half Black child, fearing that her son would be disowned by her mother and father.  This fear makes Karen confront the hidden issue of race head on and what she discovers crushes and frees her.

APRIL 2016

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Showing My Color: Impolite Essays on Race in America by Clarence Page.  This collection of essays gives a different perspectives from the norm on both race and gender relations in America.  Although the title points to an uncomfortable read, Page applies his logic to his argument and creates a more open dialogue and open mindedness, rather then shutting down the conversation.

MARCH 2016

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Ways of White Folks by Langston Hughes.  This collection of short stories by the legendary poet is an eye opening look at race relations in America during the early decades of last century.  Although this book is more than 75 years old, it still is relevant in today’s America.

 

FEBRUARY 2016

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul by Eddie S. Glaude Jr.  This book speaks to the continuing struggle for Black people within America and how the promises made at the founding of the country still haven’t been fully realized by Blacks.  It also focuses on the policies that have reenforced the view of Black Americans lives being less valuable.  This book is a great read and especially necessary in an election year.

JANUARY 2016

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Martin Luther King and The Montgomery Story: How 50,000 Negroes Found A New Way To End Racial Discrimination Edited by Martin Luther King and the Fellowship of Reconciliation. This old comic book was used to influence and explain the movement to the younger generation and helped spread the word about the non-violent strategy.  Although dated and for a younger audience, anyone would benefit from reading this piece of history.

DECEMBER 2015

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is And Still We Rise: The Trials and Triumphs of Twelve Gifted Inner-City Students by Miles Corwin.  This non-fiction late 90’s page turner was a national bestseller and is one of the most fascinating reads in Our collection.  The reader will find themselves in awe of the backgrounds of all the main characters and wishing for a happy ending.  Only when the reader takes a breath do they remember that everything they are reading was real and that these remarkably resilient kids are living these events.  An A+ story and a must read.

NOVEMBER 2015

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Bastards of the Reagan Era by Reginald Dwayne Betts.  Full disclosure, we heard about this book through Slate’s Political Gabfest.  Fortunately for Us, we followed up to see why they made such a big deal over the book and we are glad we did.  If you love real and raw poetry, this book is worth the read.

 

OCTOBER 2015

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Negroland: A Memoir by Margo Jefferson.  Negroland is a rare look inside the elitist class of Black society during the era of segregation.  This book bares the soul and the unflattering perspective of the “Talented Tenth” and how intra-racism played a role back then and how it still effects the Black Community.  Interesting, frustrating, sad, tough read….all the things a book of the month should be.

 

SEPTEMBER 2015

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Beast Side: Living (and Dying) While Black in America by D Watkins.  This book chronicles the life of D Watkins during the crack era in East Baltimore and his transformation from being a successful drug dealer to college professor and author.  His fascinating life is worth a book and definitely worth book of the month honors.

 

AUGUST 2015

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates.  Between the World and Me is one of the most critically acclaimed books of the year.  It has brought the Baltimore writer the recognition that has been reserved for the likes of Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, and James Baldwin.  Between the World and Me isn’t just good enough to be the book of the month, but is legitimately one of the best books in our growing library.  Pick up this book and see what the buzz is all about and why they will be reading and referring to this book for generations to come.

JULY 2015

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Black Power: The Politics of Liberation by Kwame Ture (formerly Stokley Carmichael)  and Charles V. Hamilton.  This book spoke to the Black Power Movement back in the late 1960’s and revealed an ambition that has since halted.  However, the framework left behind by some of America’s greatest generations spokesmen and women is left behind for us to pick up.

 

 JUNE 2015

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo by Tom Reiss.  This book is about General Alex Dumas, who was the son of a Haitian slave and Frenchmen who became one of the greatest unknown warriors in history.  His name may seem familiar to readers however because his son is the world famous author of the “The Three Musketeers” and “The Count of Monte Cristo,” Alexandre Dumas.  If you want to know the story behind the stories, you need to read this book.

MAY 2015

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Presidency in Black and White: My Up-Close View of Three Presidents and Race in America by April Ryan.  This book is an insiders look at the issues of race and it’s impact on the last few Presidential Administration.  April Ryan’s unique access and position provide details to the reader that exhibits how the issue of race still haunts every leader of the United States.  A terrific read that belongs as one of the BA Book of the Month winners.

 

 APRIL 2015

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Brotherman: The Odyssey of Black Men In America-An Anthology edited by Herb Boyd and Robert L. Allen.  This book lends itself to the narratives and perspectives of Black man in America from the times of slavery through the modern day athlete.  A riveting award winning book that will not only inform the reader but entrap the reader.  Truly worthy of BA Book of the Month status.

 

 MARCH 2015

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Atlas of World History edited by Kate Santon and Liz Mckay.  This book does a great job showing the effects of conquers, treaties, and wars on the man made boundaries of the world.  If you want to understand the present you must be aware of the past.  This book helps make that possible.

 

FEBRUARY 2015

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Partisan Divide: Crisis in Congress  by Tom Davis, Martin Frost, and Richard Cohen.  If you really want to understand the current situation in congress and in the country, this is the book for you.  Former Congressmen Tom Davis and  Martin Frost breakdown the breakdown in Washington and show the reader how Congress actions (or lack there of) effect the every day American.

 

JANUARY 2015

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America by Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney.  What better way to start the new year then to introduce your children to 10 American heroes.  This book is wonderfully written and illustrated and gives great mini bios of people from Benjamin Banneker to President Barack Obama.  A great way to start the year indeed.

DECEMBER 2014

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Breaking The Chains of Bondage: Black History From Its Origins in Africa to the Present by Norman E.W. Hodges Ph.D.  Although this book is dated, the information provided within its pages are extremely interesting and beneficial.  The book was written in the midst of the post Civil Rights  Era, when heavyweights such as Jesse Jackson and Stokley Carmichael’s legacies were still in the balance.  This perspective will definitely give the reader a sign of how far we have come, but more important how far we have to go.

NOVEMBER 2014

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is March: Book One by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell.  This book is fantastic for all ages.  The artwork is eye-popping and the story is captivating.  For parents struggling to inform how to deal with the history of race in this county to their young children, this book can be the bridge to understanding and may very well lead to more deep discussion.

 

OCTOBER 2014

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is No Struggle No Progress: A Warrior’s Life From Black Power to Education Reform by Howard Fuller and Lisa Frazier Page.  This book caught Our attention, for obvious reasons,  however, as the reader begins to read this book they become trapped by it’s compelling story.  A book shouldn’t be judge just by it’s cover, No Struggle No Progress is living and breathing truth of that fact.

 

SEPTEMBER 2014

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Teacher Wars: A History of America’s Most Embattled Profession by Dana Goldstein.  Teaching is one of the most highly praised and faulted professions in America.  It is also one of the most important components of perhaps the most important element of American society.  This book gives you the history of all the issues that have made teachers the scapegoats and the heroes that we view them as today.

 

AUGUST 2014

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is I Got Schooled:The Unlikely Story of How a Moonlighting Movie Maker Learned the Five Keys to Closing America’s Education Gap by M. Night Shyamalan.  We became intrigued with this book when Shyamalan held a discussion about the book on CSPAN.  I Got Schooled highlights the common features of successful schools and has the potential to become a “how to” for failing schools.  In the hands of the right people the ideas fostered in this book could even possibly bridge the gap between the have and have nots.  That’s why this movie makers book is B.A. Inc.’s Book of the Month for August.

JULY 2014

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace: A Brilliant Young Man Who Left Newark For The Ivy League by Jeff Hobbs.  We originally heard about this book by way of NPR.  The author, Jeff Hobbs, was one of Robert Peace’s roommates at Yale.  Hobbs was so moved by his death and the manner in which he died that he felt compelled to ask those who knew him best about his life.  Out of those stories came a riveting biography of the short life of a talented young Black man who escapes the slums of Newark for Yale University only to succumb to the dangers of the streets.

JUNE 2014

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou.  This book is not only one of the most influential books of the 20th century, it also helped introduce one of the most influential people of the 20th century.  With her recent passing this month, We couldn’t have been represented by anyone else.  Please join Black Advancement Inc. in celebrating the life and the legacy of one of the true titans of our age by reading this literary classic by the one and only Maya Angelou.

MAY 2014

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Truth About Retirement Plans and IRAs by Ric Edelman.  This highly recommended book is well worth the read.  Ric Edelman makes the dry and often times complicated world of finance fascinating and easy to understand.  With his knowledge and graphics he points out the pitfalls and the misnomers of retirement and shows the reader that it’s never too late.

 

APRIL 2014

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Ruth and the Green Book by Calvin Alexander Ramsey, Gwen Strauss and illustrated by Floyd Cooper.  Although this book is intended for children, the complexity and the enormity of the situation is for all ages.  The Green Book was a guide through the segregated south of places to stay and eat for Black people traveling.  This book opens the eyes of all who read it and is highly recommended.

MARCH 2014

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Book of Coming To Day From Night Forth) edited and translated by E.A. Wallis Budge.  This book gives a line by line interpretation of the famed “Book of the Dead.”  Some historians would argue many of the great religions of the world were spawned from some of the stories in this ancient text.  Read it for yourself and then you be the Budge….I mean judge. 

FEBRUARY 2014

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Black Chronicle edited by Maloyd Ben Wilson Jr.  This fascinating read chronicles the struggles of Blacks here in America through all of the famous newspaper clippings from as early as the Revolutionary War through the Civil Rights Movement.  This book gives you the history in its native tongue and has the ability to teleport you to whatever era you choose to read.  An excellent book for anyone seeking a true representation of Black peoples history within America….act fast though, there are only a limited amount of copies of this historical gem.

JANUARY 2014

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Mandela edited by Mac Maharaj and Ahmed Kathrada.  The world morned on December 5, 2013 when the civil rights titan Nelson Mandela died.  This book gives readers the opportunity to follow his life and see why he was truly one of greatest people to have ever lived.

 

DECEMBER 2013

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is the Autobiography of a Freedom Rider: My Life as a Foot Solider for Civil Rights by Thomas M. Armstrong and Natalie R. Bell. This book is an autobiographical tale of Thomas M. Armstrong.  It takes the reader through the times and trials of the movement from the grunt perspective.  This book is not only a great example of the struggle of Black folks but more importantly, the level of detail and strategy used by these groups to combat the system of segregation.

NOVEMBER 2013

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington. This book is an autobiographical tale of Booker T. Washington’s personal and painstaking pursuit of freedom for himself and his ideals for the Black man in America.  This book shares a different and some what controversial perspective on the struggle of Blacks during this period and shows the diversity of opinion on how to confront the color line.

 

OCTOBER 2013

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. DuBois.  This book is a classic work of American literature and is considered a cornerstone of Black literary. This book contains several essays on race drawn directly from DuBois own experiences on his groundbreaking work on the Black experience in American society.  The Souls of Black Folk also holds an important place in social science as one of the early works to deal with sociology.

 

SEPTEMBER 2013

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave by Frederick Douglass.  This book chronicles the famous abolitionist life journey from being a slave to becoming one of the most revered people in American history.  This book should be recommended reading for every high school student to put a proper perspective of where we have come from as a nation and how far we still need to go.

AUGUST 2013

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Principles of Politics and Government by Edwin M. Coulter.  Although a little dated this book is extremely informative on the differences of all the known governmental systems both in and outside of the United States.  This will give the reader the background and information to decide for themselves what governmental systems work and make sense.  Good book to read before going to the polls.

JULY 2013

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Ugly American by Eugene Burdick and William J. Lederer.  This book exposes the inefficient foreign policies that had and continue to plague the United States.  Although the issues are dated the problems remain the same for our country.  This is an excellent read for anybody who aspires to go into employment in or who is just interested in international affairs.

 

JUNE 2013

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Quotations of Benjamin FranklinVolume 1 by BenjaminFranklin.  This quick little read of slick sayings and quips by one of America’s founding fathers contains great wisdom, insight and advise from a man wise beyond his years both in age and era.  Many of his quotes are not only brilliant, they are timeless.  If you are looking for a quick dose of perspective at your job or while handling your business in the bathroom this book is perfect.

 

MAY 2013

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is 12 Angry Men: True Stories of Being a Black Man in America Today edited by Gregory S. Park and Matthew W. Hughey.   This book brings to life the tension that exist between the Black Community and law enforcement.  With laws enacted in New York such as “Stop and Frisk” and the all to common “DWB” stories of everyone from Law Professors to young brothers visiting relatives, 12 Angry Men is a real and vivid perspective of how law enforcement officers tend to abuse their power specifically against Black people.  This book should be read by every rookie law enforcement officer and anybody who wants to know they are not alone when it comes to being victims of overzealous officers.

APRIL 2013

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Believe: The Words and Inspiration of Archbishop Desmond Tutu (MeWe) written by A Blue Mountain Art Collection. The brief story of the life and quotes of Archbishop Desmond Tutu reveals the power of love.  Love for your fellow man, your God, and yourself.  This short but special book will not only endear the reader to the man Desmond Tutu but it will also inspire you to strive to be a better person and to love in spite of and because of.  In the words of the Arch, MeWe.

MARCH 2013

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Great Speeches By African Americans edited by James Daley. This book is filled with rich history and incredible orators.  All issues dealing with the Black struggle from lynching to the constitution being a living document are addressed in these world altering speeches.   See the struggle from the beginning and the leaders who helped us voice our frustrations and made America a better nation.

FEBRUARY 2013

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Timothy Greenfield-Sanders and Elvis Mitchell’s The Black List.  This book is a perfect pick for Black History month.  It chronicles interviews the authors have with successful Black people from Colin Powell to Slash of Guns n Roses.  The perspectives given and gained from this book are not only enriching but also interesting enough to have any reader of any race stand back and reread the hardships, personal battles, and achievements of these varied Black stars.

JANUARY 2013

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Farai Chideya’s Don’t Believe The Hype: Fighting Cultural Misinformation About African-Americans.  This book is dated, however it has thought altering statistics and thought provoking text.  This is an excellent book, the only problem is Farai Chideya has not written another one.

 

DECEMBER 2012

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Lushena Books The Willie Lynch Letter And The Making Of A Slave.  This book breaks down the tragedy and the strategy of slavery in the United States of America.  Through the use of the techniques explained and examined within this book, it gives the reader an insight to the generational damage a system as destructive as slavery has on a population of people.  This is a must read and should be made mandatory in every US History class that broaches the topic of slavery.

NOVEMBER 2012

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is D.T. Niane’s Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali.  This book is great because of it’s historical significants and it’s bigger than life characters.  However, what separates this book from many others is the way the book was recorded.  The story of Sundiata had been keep alive for years through the oral traditions of ancient African society’s.  The Griots, handed this story down generation after generation until it was finally captured in to literary form.  This book is not only a great read, it is also a harkening back to the artistry of history and legendary story telling by generations past.

OCTOBER 2012

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Denise Dennis and Susan Wilmarth’s Black History For Beginners.  This book is full of facts of Black History and written for younger readers curious about it.  This book is highly recommended by Black Advancement Inc. because of the educational value to the reader and the how fun they make it learning history.  A must have in the household!

SEPTEMBER 2012

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Michael Powell’s Curious Events in History.  This book is filled with fun facts and stories of some of the stranger events that have happened from ancient Egypt to the man who walked around the world.  This is a quick and fun read and has stories that are great conversation starters.

AUGUST 2012

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month iss Black Advancement Inc.’s Credit Commandments 1st Edition.  Although this may look like a shameless promotions for our organization, we highly recommend this booklet.  We have handed this booklet out to several different individuals and have received good feedback for both its information and its simplicity.   Although brief, this booklet is jammed with good sound information that is based off of personal experience and research.  Whether you are a college student, a parent, or just a financial novice this is the book for you.(This book can be found on our website by going to the Solution Tab and clicking on Credit Commandments 1st Edition)

JULY 2012

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Anthony T. Browder’s Nile Valley Contributions To Civilization.  This book is one among many the renown scholar has explored the accomplishments of ancient Africa, particularly Egypt, and its history of the transfer of knowledge from the continent to the rest of the world.  Agree or disagree with his point of view, his work speaks for itself.  With historical information that will turn your perspective of history on it’s head, Browder does what people pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for, a B side to the tape of history.

JUNE 2012

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Carole Boston Weatherford and Kadir Nelson’s  Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom.  Although this book is made for a younger audience, the power of both the illustrations by Kadir Nelson and the words by Carole Boston Weatherford resinate to a much older audience.  This is a must have for your children’s book collection and quite frankly your own as well.

MAY 2012

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Malcolm X’s Malcolm X on Afro-American History.  This book challenges the history most of us grow up believing K-12th grade and in some cases beyond.  Malcolm X   writings, much like his speeches, gives the reader the opportunity to compare perspectives of history; leaving them to judge whether history of this ilk is simply to give Black people pride in themselves, to complete the historical picture our textbooks consistently fail to mention, or leave out on purpose.

APRIL 2012

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Cornel West’s Race Matters.  This book challenges all the issues of the Black Community and enables the reader to informatively choose where they stand on the issues.  Not only is this book worth reading for the shear brilliance of Mr. West writing, but also to expand one’s horizons and vocabulary.

 

MARCH 2012 

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Velma Maia Thomas’ Lest We Forget.  This book gives an outstanding account of the brutality and reality of the era of slavery.  Not only is it educational but also interactive with three dimensional photographs and documents from the Black Holocaust Exhibit.   Lest We Forget is just as good and informal to adults as it is for children.  Although the topic matter is emotionally draining, the experience is well worth the time, effort, and tears.

FEBRUARY 2012 

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Chinua Achebe’s A Man of the People.  This book gives an inside look at politics in an emerging “democratic” nation in Africa.  This book is one of Achebe’s gifts to the world and is still handed out as part of college courses required reading.  It like many of Achebe’s books, has stood the test of time and continues to educate the naive about the way the world works in spite of our best efforts to change it.

JANUARY 2012

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Oren Harari’s The Powell Principles.  This is a book about leadership from one of the greatest leaders of our time.  In this book Colin Powell breaks down his 24 principles of leadership which include the strategy and discipline that allowed him to achieve unqualified success as both the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of State. This book is a must read for all who aspire to lead, inspire, and achieve.

 

DECEMBER 2011

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is George Orwell’s Animal Farm. This book is one of the most celebrated novels of all time.  It moves as quickly as a comic book and has the sophistication of the revolution and aftermath that it was satirically based on.  Traditionally, this book is read from the perspective of Communism versus other forms of government.  However, I beg the reader to approach it from a standpoint of one of the characters in the book and then reflect on it and see if and how your thoughts change.

NOVEMBER 2011

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Tim Wise’s White Like Me. This book is one of the most honest exploration of the history and impact of race in America that has ever been written.  Using his own life experiences as a template for his theories, Tim Wise gives stunning and heavy revelations that will have the reader turning through page after page.  His perspective is not only genuine, but refreshing and necessary and embodies advancement.

OCTOBER 2011

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Jason, David, and Guy Sims comic book Brotherman: Dictator of Discipline.  This short series of comic books chronicles a lawyer in the “Big City” that is fed up with all the crime and mischief in his home town.  This fury drives him to become Brotherman.  No matter how young or old you are you will definitely appreciate the message, the illustration, and the storyline of these comics.  The only problem with the Brotherman comic book series, is there are so few of them.

SEPTEMBER 2011

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Paul Butler’s Lets Get Free: A Hip-Hop Theory of Justice. This book examines the justice system through the eyes of  a black lawyer who comes to see the systems faults through his own personal experience.  This book takes many controversial stands and gives the reader an inside look of the justice system.  Whether you agree with the author or not this book is definitely worth reading.

AUGUST 2011

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Bruce Wright’s Black Robes, White Justice. This book examines the justice system from the perspective of a black judge in New York after the civil rights movement, Bruce Wright.  If you were ever curious about the legal system in any capacity it is a must read.

 

JULY 2011

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man. This book is a Black classic. It examines what it means to be young black in gifted in a racist society. If you question whether time has really changed for the plight of Black people, read this book!

 

JUNE 2011

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Ivan Van Sertima’s They Came Before Columbus.  This book will give you another perspective on the “discovery” of America and the impact on its indigenous people from the visitors.   This book has the potential to make its reader go and relearn all they were taught k-12 and beyond.  Need I say more?

MAY 2011

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Carter G. Woodson’s The Mis-Education of the Negro.  Although this book was first published in 1933, it remains one of the most topically current books for Black people.  If you are ready to hear the ugly truth, this is the book for you.

 

APRIL 2011

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is James W. Loewen’s  Lies My Teacher Told Me.  This book examines our current state of education and often times gives a different perspective on “well known” historical events in American History.  This book is fantastic and should be read by anyone who considers themselves a student, a scholar, or an out of the box thinker.

 

MARCH 2011

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is Sam Greenlee’s The Spook Who Sat By The Door. This is one of the most controversial books ever written and is still not heavily circulated due to its content.  However, it reads incredibly fast and is endlessly entertaining.  The basic premise of the book is simple, what would happen if you trained disenfranchised Black youth to run a guerrilla war against the United States government in the 1960’s?

FEBRUARY 2011

The Black Advancement Inc. book of the month is The Civil Rights Chronicles: The African-American Struggles for Freedom.  This book chronicles the three hundred year struggle of Black People since they have been in America.  Although it focuses heavily on the late 50’s and 60’s, it gives sufficient information of events that have occurred as far back as the Revolutionary War to the Rodney King Riot in the early 90’s.