I love reading. Even in the face of the demands of raising tiny human beings, reading is one pre-baby hobby I maintained. OK, it’s a hobby I have clung to with ferocity. When my kids were babies, I would often go missing after putting them to bed. My husband routinely searched for me and would find me sitting in a rocking chair with a baby snuggled against my chest. Balancing a book on their diapered butt with one hand while rubbing their back with the other became second nature. In those early days of mom-ing, I especially appreciated books for Black parents.
I found reading our parenting stories written by Black authors deeply affirming as I started my family. But admittedly, I often had to go out of my way to locate books for and by Black parents. Books that centre the experience of raising Black children our seem like rare unicorns, but they do exist. There are great books by Black writers who have a talent for sharing unique personal stories while amplifying shared experiences.
In the hopes of sparing other time-crunched book-loving parents the work, I’ve started on a journey to create a list of books for Black parents by Black parents.
To say Black parenting is underrepresented in mainstream media and books is an understatement.
10 Must-Read Books for Black Parents
These are books some of us don’t come across every day. Books authored by experts and parents whose voices we don’t hear from or see enough of. These books provide Black parents with perspective, comfort, information, and practical advice through every phase of raising children. From pregnancy to navigating toddlerhood and teenagery-ness through to sending our kids to university, these books serve as invaluable guides.
What’s most important is they do so while centering the experience of parenting in our skin. They offer honest and heartfelt reflections of Black families that centre our joy and tell stories that give voice to our cultures, family life and our ways. They make the daily lives of new parents’ first year relatable and assure toddler parents they will survive. Meanwhile, hold space to honour the double-edged experience of watching your Black teen boys grow into Black men.
These books ones that capture and elevate the experiences of those of us parenting while Black are a gift – and this is just the start of my list!
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Black, Pregnant and Loving It: The Comprehensive Pregnancy Guide for Today’s Woman of Color, by Yvette Allen-Campbell, Dr. Suzanne Greenidge-Hewitt
While offering a month-to-month pregnancy guide, this book delves beyond the physical aspects. Like most books created by us and for us, the authors explore the unique cultural, social, and emotional dimensions of our experience. They provide practical tips for a healthy pregnancy and guidance on handling societal expectations and stereotypes.
This book provides information and affirmation for soon-to-be Black parents that helps us feel both informed and empowered. It’s like having a supportive friend or Auntie who understands, right there on your bookshelf, offering invaluable information, support, and guidance throughout the incredible journey of becoming a parent.
Ain’t That a Mother: Postpartum, Palsy, and Everything in Between, by Adiba Nelson
Brace yourself with tissues before delving into Adiba Nelson’s powerful narrative, and trust me, this isn’t just a casual warning! Nelson’s storytelling style instantly transforms readers into her sister-friends,
As a single, Black mother navigating the unique challenges of raising a child with a disability, Nelson’s journey may seem worlds apart from mine, yet felt totally relatable. She had me laughing and then crying (I am warning you!) at the ways motherhood demands the same for all of us, even when we are on paths that look nothing alike. It’s a testament to the common threads that weave through our distinct stories.
I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You: A Letter to My Daughter, by David Chariandy
In the realm of parenthood, books can be more than just stories; they become a vehicle for giving voice to our collective narratives. David Chariandy’s letter to his daughter is a powerful response to an experience of racism.
A Canadian writer, Chariandy weaves in references to some iconic authors and their works. Chariandy’s writing feels intimate and real. It’s like he’s inviting you into a conversation over coffee (sans racist attacks), where he’s sharing his deepest thoughts. This is a good book filled with the kind of life lessons that many Black parents would wish to share with their children.
My Mother’s Daughter: A Memoir of Struggle and Triumph, by Perdita Felicien
If you’re not already a fan of Perdita Felicien’s her memoir will make you one! As a revered athlete and accomplished sports reporter, Felicien grew up in my neck of the woods and I have loved watching someone who looked like me, be like her.
Diving into Felicien’s memoir felt like peeking into a girlfriend’s diary. Her descriptions of everything from the scents of her kitchen to her self-confessed naivety hit a chord with me. This memoir is more than a chronicle; it’s a testament to the power of family. Felicien’s narrative beautifully illustrates how a family’s deeply affirming love and support can empower a child with unwavering resilience.
Very Intentional Parenting: Awakening the Empowered Parent Within, by Destini Ann Davis
Ok, I don’t know who else shares my journey of taking our own paths towards breaking generational curses and parenting with intention – But for all of us on this path, I wish this book was out when my children were little! It would have saved me so much time! This book is honest, simple and down to earth.
One thing I absolutely loved about the book is that it’s not preachy. It doesn’t tell you what you should or shouldn’t do as a parent. Instead, it encourages you to reflect on your values and beliefs and how they align with your parenting style. It is practical and gives you steps you can take today as a parent. It’s all about finding your unique path, and I’m all for that.
These 10 Must-Read Books for Black Parents tell stories unique to parenting in our skin that other books overlook.
I Wish My Dad: The Power of Vulnerable Conversations between Fathers and Sons, by Romal Tune
From the first moment I started reading this book, I was drawn into Romal Tune’s deeply personal narrative. His vivid and honest storytelling creates a powerful connection, as if Tune is right there, sharing his life story across the table. The emotion and vulnerability in his writing make it incredibly relatable.
What sets this book apart is its unique focus on fathers and sons. As Tune points out, they rarely get invited to engage in conversations that bring them together to discuss their feelings. The collection of conversations and wisdom felt deeply rooted in honesty, courage and healing. In reflecting on the book, I found myself contemplating how to parent my son in a way that might free him from society’s restrictive and unhealthy ideas of manhood.
I’m Still Here, by Austin Channing Brown
I love an affirming book, and reading “I’m Still Here” affirmed me in ways I didn’t know I was missing. I was hooked, especially when I read her heartfelt chapter addressed to her unborn son; it turned me into a lifelong Austin Channing Brown.
While she has also adapted this book for young readers, as a Black parent, this gave me a guiding light, a source of inspiration, and an affirmation of Black dignity. Even though she uses American examples, she so skillfully unpacks the false sense of peace that arises when we ignore racism and act “nice” – I thought she might be Canadian! Her reflections on the dangers of mistaking diversity and inclusion for reconciliation made me feel so seen.
They Said This Would Be Fun: Race, Campus Life, and Growing Up, by Eternity Martis
As I read Eternity Martis’ memoir, there were moments when I contemplated setting it aside. Like that might help me to preserve a facade of everything being just fine. Just fine. However, as a graduate of a Canadian university with children aspiring to follow suit, the realities Martis shares couldn’t be denied.
Martis’ book is filled with heartfelt conversations and paints a painfully honest picture of campus life. From her accounts of ‘code-switching’ to her “cheat sheets” for managing encounters unique to people in our skin reading the book brought up familiar feelings of indignation that had me shaking my head and rolling my eyes in solidarity with her experience. Her reflections on Black sisterhood and friendship had me texting my old university roommate. There were no lies told in this book. It is a crucial read for Black university-bound students and their parents.
Motherhood So White, by Nefertiti Austin
Nefertiti Austin’s authentic reflections on her journey as a single Black woman adopting and raising two children provide a much-needed perspective.
Austin shares the challenges and joys of the adoption process, but she also unfolds her journey in a world where the diverse experiences of Black motherhood are unseen. Sharing her path to adoption, healing, and motherhood gives voice to a story we rarely see.
The Brown Mama Mindset: A Blueprint for Black Moms on Life, Love and Home, by Muffy Mendoza
This book, shared from the lived experience of a Black mom who truly understands, serves as a valuable guide. Mendoza’s writing helps readers navigate parenting hurdles, strengthen relationships, and prioritize self-care.
Mendoza’s writing fosters that strong sense of community I usually find in books for Black parents, written by Black parents. She reminds readers to believe in the possibility of managing our unique parenting challenges and successes while thriving in relationships and making self-care a non-negotiable priority.
I am always seeking out books for Black parents
I’m always on the lookout for that affirming wisdom and knowledge that helps me handle the special twists and turns of parenting while Black with confidence and grace. These books for Black parents tell the stories of different aspects of our experiences that other books overlook. They provide the comfort of knowing that we are not alone in our experiences.
So, let’s celebrate these books, and share them with fellow parents. I’ve shared here 10 books for Black parents, but I know this is in no way an exhaustive list. By this time next year, I hope to create and publish a list of 100 books every Black parent should read.
Help me! I’m calling on my fellow bookworms to share in the comments any books I should add to my ever-growing TBR (To Be Read) list! I’m especially ready to see and read those books written by Black Canadian writers!
Share suggestions in the comments!
