It’s Black History Month and the books are rolling in for reviews. We chose three of them, all from independent publishers, including an art, children’s, and facts book.
In the second edition of “Connecting People with Art” by Evelyn Redcross and Mercer A. Redcross III, there are more than 1100 images. “Most of the art comes from artists that have participated in our expos,” says the Redcrosses who have been the canvas behind Philadelphia’s famed October Gallery for more than 35 years. The hardcover, 600-page coffee table art book also includes photos of patrons and individuals that have supported the African American art industry for decades.
The Philadelphia couple released the first edition in 2006. It had 500 pages. “The first edition book was sold hard and soft cover. “Initially, this second edition is sold solely as a hardcover with dust cover book,” added Mercer.
“Destiny, With My Two Mommies Who Love Me!!” Is a very colorful hardback book with super bold artwork. The storyline is simple, about a family day at the park. The words are simple and in large type.
Writer K. Ron Edwards poetically wrote lines, such as this one, that allows dramatic readers to use them and shine: “Soon after that, I lay my head in my mommy’s lap. She says to mom, “Let’s take her home for a nap.”
New Interesting Art, Children, and Black Fact Books
We Matter by Chloe Brenfeatured in "Connecting People with Art."
I was pleasantly surprised to see Invisible Ink’s latest fact book, Black Firsts: 500 Years of Trailblazing Achievements and Ground-Breaking. It recalled another of their fact books that we covered very early in our 25 years of publication.
Similar to the earlier book, Black Firsts expands the notion of what “facts,” to expect. For instance, when looking up facts about my hometown, Gary, I had to look under “Indiana.” Dr. Jessie Carney Smith, the book’s author, includes a short biography of former Gary mayor Karen-Freemen Wilson versus the expected: former Gary mayor Richard Gordon Hatcher, one of the first two elected Black mayors of a major American city. Her biography mentions some of Wilson-Freeman’s firsts, but not her becoming Gary’s first female mayor.
Similar to the challenges Port Of Harlem faces, independent publishers often face challenges of not having an expanded staff to cover everything from contemplating story ideas to distribution. So, we applaud these independent publishers for providing so many a good voice that otherwise may not be heard.
Attention Artist: From These Shores: You Can Help Create a New Diaspora History Exhibition
Attention Independent Publishers Supporters: Invite a friend to sign up to Port Of Harlem magazine, it's still free.
Similar to the earlier book, Black Firsts expands the notion of what “facts,” to expect. For instance, when looking up facts about my hometown, Gary, I had to look under “Indiana.” Dr. Jessie Carney Smith, the book’s author, includes a short biography of former Gary mayor Karen-Freemen Wilson versus the expected: former Gary mayor Richard Gordon Hatcher, one of the first two elected Black mayors of a major American city. Her biography mentions some of Wilson-Freeman’s firsts, but not her becoming Gary’s first female mayor.
Similar to the challenges Port Of Harlem faces, independent publishers often face challenges of not having an expanded staff to cover everything from contemplating story ideas to distribution. So, we applaud these independent publishers for providing so many a good voice that otherwise may not be heard.
Attention Artist: From These Shores: You Can Help Create a New Diaspora History Exhibition
Attention Independent Publishers Supporters: Invite a friend to sign up to Port Of Harlem magazine, it's still free.
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