Happy Black History Month! Celebrated in the month of February, Black History Month is a time to celebrate Black excellence, Black Pride, Culture, Art and History.

Knowing your history is so important in knowing who you are as an individual, and it can shape your values and belief systems. Black History Month also presents a great opportunity to remember and honor our ancestors and acknowledge the sacrifices made by many for the freedoms and opportunities that we enjoy today.

In 2019, though we still have a long way to go in eradicating hate, racism and discrimination completely in the United States, progress has been made and we must celebrate those accomplishments and hard fought victories while continuing to push forward and advocate for fairness and equality for all.

Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream that his children "will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." Many (especially persons of color) in this country still have this same dream and remain hopeful this will be true some day.  The truth is as human beings we are more alike then we are different.  We must learn to celebrate our unique differences and bond over our shared goals and commonalities.  The time is now to respect other people's rights to live freely and happy on this earth.

In celebration of Black History Month, I recommend the below books for anyone interested in learning more about Black culture, Black authors, Black history and the struggle for civil rights. Don't restrict yourself to this list however, select and read any book by a black author, autobiography of a person of color or a book about black culture and history. Knowledge is power and self-education is the best gift that you can give yourself. Ignorance should no longer be tolerated as an excuse. You will not be taught everything at school, this I have learned.

1. Becoming by Michelle Obama

2. We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo

3. The Dew Breaker by Edwidge Danticat

4. Home by Toni Morrison

5. God Help the Child by Toni Morrison

6. Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

7. Mom & Me & Mom by Maya Angelou

8. Between The World And Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

9. Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim

10. If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin

11. The Women of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor*

12. Waking From The Dream (The Struggle for Civil Rights in the Shadow of Martin Luther King, Jr.) by David L. Chappell

* #11 is the book I am currently reading. Have you read any of the suggested books above? Comment below and also let me know if you choose to read one (or more). Happy reading and it's hibernating season anyway due to the polar vortex frigid cold temperatures so no excuse. Be safe, warm/cozy and relax at home with a good book!