The Wonderful World of Minotaur

For UK & Ireland Black History Month this year, the theme is “Standing Firm in Power and Pride”. It celebrates leadership, activism and the ongoing journey toward empowerment and growth. 

In honour of that, I’ve put together a list of five powerful books by black authors that I believe embody this theme:

1. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

It’s one thing to read about slavery through history books, but it’s another thing to hear it told through the voice of someone who lived it. Frederick Douglass recounts his harrowing experiences as a slave and his remarkable journey to freedom. He rose to become one of the most influential abolitionists and civil rights figures. His story is both captivating and inspiring – a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the human side of slavery and its abolition in the US. 

2. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

The first of seven autobiographical volumes, this modern classic by legendary poet and activist Maya Angelou traces her life from ages three to sixteen. It offers a raw glimpse into the experiences that shaped her, from trauma and resilience to self-discovery and empowerment. Both heartbreaking and hopeful, it remains one of the most powerful explorations of identity, race and womanhood. 

3. Tomorrow Died Yesterday by Chimeka Garricks 

As someone from the Niger-Delta region, I was immediately drawn to this book for its subject matter. Set in Rivers state, the novel follows four childhood friends – a militant, a professor-activist, an oil company executive and a lawyer – whose lives are irrevocably shaped by the oil crisis in the Niger Delta region. Years later, fate brings them back together through a series of tragic events. If you want to understand the complexities of the Niger Delta, start here and then listen to The Republic’s excellent podcast series on Ken Saro-Wiwa, which features Garricks himself. 

4. And So I Roar by Abi Dare

While this sequel to The Girl with the Louding Voice has received mixed reviews, hearing the author discuss it at a book club helped me see it in a new light. In this novel, Adunni finally finds her voice and becomes an advocate for women who cannot speak for themselves. It tackles critical issues such as child sex trafficking, female genital mutilation, and climate change with empathy and courage. Abi Dare continues to remind the reader of the power of education and self-expression through Adunni’s moving story. 

5. Dear Ijeawele or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions 

This concise yet powerful handbook, written as a letter to a friend, offers fifteen thoughtful suggestions on how to raise a feminist child. It is classic Chimamanda – wise, witty, and deeply resonant. Following its release, I had the privilege of attending a talk at the Southbank Centre, where she spoke about the importance of feminism in the modern age and raising the next generation to think critically about culture, identity, and gender equality. 

What are some of your favourite books about empowerment and growth by black authors?