Celebrating African Americans in the Arts
The theme of this year’s African American/Black History Month is African Americans in the Arts. The books selected for this week were written by or about the lives and times of some of our most celebrated and groundbreaking artists. Each book is followed by recommended supplemental material about the artist – don’t miss the video of The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre’s Revelations.
Joyful Reading!
Tar Beach
Written and Illustrated by Faith Ringgold
1992 Caledcott Honor
1992 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award
A stirring, uplifting book set in the dream of a young girl. In 1939 Cassie Louise Lightfoot was 8 years old. One night, in a dream, Cassie is lifted above Tar Beach, the rooftop of her parent’s Harlem apartment where her family often spends hot summer nights. Cassie flies above the city, claiming the union building where her father is not allowed to join because, “he's colored or a half-breed Indian,” and the George Washington Bridge, so that she can, “wear I like a giant diamond necklace.” The illustrations combine acrylic paintings and portions of the original Tar Beach story quilt on which the story was originally told. Each double page spread is bordered by patches from the original quilt. The mixed media illustrations combined with simple, vivid text, blend to make this an enchanting, optimistic story that celebrates the freedom found in a child’s imagination.
Visit Faith Ringgold’s website which features her art, numerous media interviews about her activism and the challenges she faced as a Black Woman in the arts, and much more.
My Story, My Dance: Robert Battle's Journey to Alvin Ailey
Written by Lesa Cline-Ransome, Illustrated by James E. Ransome
A richly illustrated, warm, and simply told biography of dancer and Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Robert Battle. The book weaves stories of his childhood and how attending a performance of the Ailey company’s classic Revelations served as the catalyst for Battle to pursue a career in dance. The book traces his journey to Julliard and eventually to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater where he became the Artistic Director in 2011 (serving in that position until 2023). James Ransome’s vivid illustrations capture the energy, intricacy, and movement of dance. Included in the book is a forward by Robert Battle, recommended reading, and an author’s note. This book will surely serve as inspiration to young readers and adults alike.
Alvin Ailey (1931-1989) is widely considered one of the most important choreographers of modern dance. At age 27, he founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, which continues to enthrall audiences worldwide. Ailey’s life and artistic contributions are chronicled in the documentary Ailey which is available through PBS’s American Masters and on various streaming services. The film’s director Jamila Wignot said, “Ailey’s dances—celebrations of African American beauty and history—did more than move bodies; they opened minds. His dances were revolutionary social statements that staked a claim as powerful in his own time as in ours: Black life is central to the American story and deserves a central place in American art and on the world stage.”
Revelations is the company’s most beloved performance. If you have the opportunity to see it performed live, you will surely be inspired. New York’s Lincoln Center has made the performance available online. Enjoy Revelations.
Nina: A Story of Nina Simone
Written by Traci N. Todd, Illustrated by Christian Robinson
2022 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor
This beautifully written book tells the story of Eunice Kathleen Waymon, known professionally as Nina Simone. Born in North Carolina in 1933, the book traces the early life of young Eunice who “sang before she could talk and found rhythm before she could walk.” A recurrent theme of the book are the challenges and obstacles young Eunice, her family, and community faced in the segregated South and later the ups and downs of Nina Simone’s career as a musician, entertainer, and activist. Traci Todd’s narrative is musical in its cadence. Christian Robinson’s rich, colorful illustrations brilliantly capture the mood and energy of Nina Simone’s complex and colorful story.
Bring the Nina’s story to life by listening to some of her music with your child.
To learn more about Nina Simone’s (1933-2003) life and history visit this website dedicated to her life and history. The site includes a biography, discography, videos, and links to streaming sites with playlists of her recordings. This YouTube Channel dedicated to Nina Simone features a number of live performance videos. In on of her final interviews with the BBC, Simone discusses her career, racism, and civil rights activism.
Beyond the Books
Providing children with opportunities to produce art can be a powerful tool for self-expression, creativity, and stress-management. Listen to music together, make music together, and dance! Have art supplies (crayons, makers, paints, and crafting items) available so children can create art.
Exploring the contributions of African American artists can provide powerful learning opportunities for ourselves and our children and can serve not only as inspiration, but as a catalyst for healing the pain associated with a tumultuous history rooted in racism. Art, music, dance, along with reading, provide powerful outlets for children and adults alike. There are numerous Black museums across the United States featuring the works of prominent artists and new talent. Many of these museums provide special programming for children and families. Attend performances, festivals, story hours, school plays and musical performances in your community.