Kiley Reid

New York Times bestselling author Kiley Reid is known for her ability to bring wittycharacters and page-turning plots to life. She effortlessly “satirizes the white pursuit of wokeness” according to The Atlantic in her popular 2019 fiction novel, “Such a Fun Age.” Reid’s debut novel is a compelling coming of age work in which the main character, 25-year- old Emira Tucker, shares her life and forms her identity as a Black woman in America navigating the complexities of transactional relationships. Film rights to the novel have been acquired by Emmy-winning producer Lena Waithe, so fans expect a screen adaptation is in the works.

Toni Morrison

You’ve probably heard the name in English class, but in EL, students don’t get to read much of her work besides “Song of Solomon” in AP Lit. Morrison is worth reading, especially for those who want to challenge themselves with her complex characters and gut-wrenching stories. As one of the most celebrated authors in the world, Morrison has won countless awards for her work, including the Pulitzer Prize and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Since the fiction novel’s publishing in 1987, “Beloved” has endured the test of time as one of the best novels about slavery and racism in America. The story follows a dysfunctional family of formerly enslaved people haunted by the spirit of a malevolent young woman.

Dr. Ibram X. Kendi

While his written works became widely popularized over the summer of 2020 when the Black Lives Matter movement was gaining attention and support, he has been one of the leading figures in antiracism education for well over a decade in academic spaces. Kendi has published 14 books and many essays on antiracism targeted towards a wide array of audiences from children’s books to novels. He is also now the Director of Boston University’s Center for Antiracist Research. In his memoir “How To Be an Antiracist,” the historian forms an accessible discussion

on the connections between ethics, history, science, and law that bring readers beyond an awareness of racism and teaches them how to actively participate in the formation of an equitable society.