Michelle Commander is Associate Director and Curator of the Lapidus Center. Kevin Young is Director of the Schomburg Center and Poetry Editor for the New Yorker. His most recent book of poetry, Brown, and his nonfiction book Bunk, were both named New York Times Notable Books and longlisted for the National Book Award. Bunk was also a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award.
As comprehensive a collection as now exists and one that should be required reading in history and literature courses. --Kirkus, starred review Remarkable anthology...As a whole, this collection showcases the vastness of Black thinking and writing, and nicely complements works by Martha S. Jones and Stephanie E. Jones-Rogers. Complete with a list of suggestions for further reading, this winning anthology is a must for all interested in Black history, but unsure where to start. --Library Journal, starred review