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An inspiring collection of pithy, easy-to-recall one-liners and quotable short passages from historic and contemporary thought leaders throughout the African Diaspora.
Famous Black Quotations, first published in 1986, has long been the go-to resource for the eloquent words of Black history makers. In this new, expanded edition, Famous Black Quotations for the Twenty-First Century, editor Janet Cheatham Bell includes the words of people who have come to prominence in recent decades, such as Barack and Michelle Obama, Alicia Garza, John Legend, Colin Kaepernick, Kamala Harris, and Nikole Hannah-Jones. Bestselling author Bell has curated more than five hundred quotes along with dates, sources, and biographical information of the people quoted. This guide to significant events in the experiences of people of African descent can be used to educate and inspire. Much has changed in the past few decades as Black Americans speak out to demand fair treatment and equal opportunity, and Famous Black Quotations for the Twenty-First Century has been updated and repackaged to inspire a new generation.
“There is nothing like a timely, well-placed quote to make one’s writing, speaking, or presentations sparkle. And to find that perfect quote, there is no more convenient or easy-to-use source than Famous Black Quotations. . . . Highly recommended.” —The Black Collegian
“Janet Cheatham Bell has extracted the best from the best and packed it all into one small but powerful space!” —Les Brown, motivational speaker
“Everywhere I go all over this country, African American leaders are using Famous Black Quotations.” —Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., Pastor Emeritus, Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago
“Famous Black Quotations is a valuable resource.” —Susan L. Taylor, Editor-in-Chief, Essence 1981-2000
“[Famous Black Quotations] is an excellent and much-needed addition to the literature.” —Earl G. Graves (1935-2020), Editor/Publisher, Black Enterprise
“I have been using my first copy of Famous Black Quotations since it came out in 1986. It is a wonderful collection and an extremely useful resource.” —Deborah Prothrow-Stith, M.D., dean and professor of medicine, Charles R. Drew University College of Medicine
“An invaluable reference. . . . The book provides a saying of substance for a variety of occasions. Famous Black Quotations is truly a godsend.” —Judy Richardson, series associate producer, Eyes on the Prize; and coproducer, Malcolm X: Make It Plain
“Famous Black Quotations is right here in my study; I use it all the time.” —Dennis Kimbro, Ph.D. co-author Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice
“Janet Cheatham Bell is a pioneer in doing books of Black quotations.” —Henry Louis Gates Jr., host, Finding Your Roots; director, Hutchins Center for African & African American Research, Harvard University
Janet Cheatham Bell is an educator, recovering academic, author, and publishing entrepreneur. After teaching African American literature and composition at several universities, she became a curriculum consultant for ethnic studies. Beginning in 1978, she became an editor of high school literature textbooks, working to make them more inclusive. That experience in book publishing encouraged her to self-publish her first collection of Black quotations in 1986. By 2002, she had nine books of quotations on the market. In addition, she has published two memoirs, The Time and Place That Gave Me Life (2007) and Mixed Marriage (2018). She has also written two essay collections—Victory of the Spirit (2011) and Not All Poor People Are Black (2015). She considers her highest achievement to be that of her Emmy-winning comedian-filmmaker son, W. Kamau Bell, as well as her Hugo-winning, bestselling niece, N. K. Jemison, who both credit her for inspiring them to pursue their dreams. Now a grateful grandmother in her eighties, she is still writing and still taking risks.
Introduction
Preface
Abbreviations
Struggle: Resisting White Supremacy
Identity: Defining Ourselves
Women: Overcoming Handicaps
Men: Finding That Balance
Children: Preparing the Future
Love: Willing Sacrifices
America: Contending Multitudes
Challenges: Creating Opportunities
Power: Claiming Our Destiny
Appendix: Bill to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals
Appendix: Lift Every Voice and Sing
Index
Acknowledgments
About the Curator