I love to highlight why I love my culture so much. Let’s be honest, we are the culture. Anywho, I knew when I bought my new coffee table I wanted to feature books that are not always seen in your fave’s house. I want to spread the love and share some coffee table books I own or itching to get my hands on that you should purchase too. Even if you are not Black, it’s always a great idea to expand your worldview and read things that don’t feature characters or images that look like you.
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DARK GIRLS
I am a dark skin girl who struggled when I was younger with being teased for my complexion. There are still some days that I battle with this struggle. It’s taken me a while really appreciate my complexion, and I just wanted this book to reaffirm the beauty of dark skin women and girls.
KWAME BRATHWAITE: BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL
Kwame Brathwaite is a photographer that popularized the political slogan “Black Is Beautiful” in the 50s & 60s. Whenever I think about the 50s and 60s (really any part of history) in this country I think of struggle and turmoil. So, to have a book that features beautiful images of Black folk from that time is comforting.
HOW TO SLAY: INSPIRATION FROM THE QUEENS AND KINDS OF BLACK STYLE
Because slaying comes naturally; it’s in our veins. Inspiration for me comes from everywhere. And this book is a great source. It shares the styles of Black folk throughout the 20th century. And because fashion is cyclical, it’s the perfect inspiration when you’re in a style rut.
BLACK GIRLS ROCK
One more time for the folks in the back! Because Black girls indeed rock. This book pays tribute to the many accomplished and badass Black women doing amazing things. The author, Beverly Bonds, is the creator of the Black Girls Rock movement and the award show that occurs every year. If you ever need a reminder that Black women are it, this book is for you.
AFRICA IS IN STYLE
This was an important book to incorporate because there is a misconception everywhere about the continent of Africa. I emphasize continent because waayy too many times I’ve heard- and corrected – people referring to Africa as if it’s a whole country. It’s not. So, I decided to educate people who come to my Liberian home that the continent of Africa, like Black people, is not a monolith and there’s beauty throughout.
If anything, this coffee table book is a great conversation starter. But the images are what captures everyone’s attention.
BONUS – SUPREME MODELS: ICONIC BLACK WOMEN WHO REVOLUTIONIZED FASHION
Because, let’s be honest, Black women have changed the game in fashion. Supreme Models is a fabulous, colorful book highlighting Black women models past and present that have made a mark in the fashion world. This is so important because all of the many fashion books in your fave’s house rarely touch on the Black women that make up the industry. This is a great book about beautiful Black women.
WHAT COFFEE TABLE BOOKS BY BLACK AUTHORS – OR IMAGES OF BLACK PEOPLE- SHOULD I ADD TO MY AMAZON CART?
SHOP THE BOOKS!
Dark Girls || Kwame Brathwaite: Black is Beautiful || How To Slay: Inspiration from the Queens and Kings of Black Style || Black Girls Rock || Africa is in Style || Supreme Models: Iconic Black Women Who Revolutionized Fashion
