essays on black joy

Save $4.00 (22%)

Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration

A timely collection of deeply personal, uplifting, and powerful essays that celebrate the redemptive strength of Black joy—in the vein of Black Girls Rock , You Are Your Best Thing , and I Really Needed This Today .

When Tracey M. Lewis-Giggetts wrote an essay on Black joy for The Washington Post , she had no idea just how deeply it would resonate. But the outpouring of responses affirmed her own lived experience: that Black joy is not just a weapon of resistance, it is a tool for resilience.

With this book, Tracey aims to gift her community with a collection of lyrical essays about the way joy has evolved, even in the midst of trauma, in her own life. Detailing these instances of joy in the context of Black culture allows us to recognize the power of Black joy as a resource to draw upon, and to challenge the one-note narratives of Black life as solely comprised of trauma and hardship.

Black Joy is a collection that will recharge you. It is the kind of book that is passed between friends and offers both challenge and comfort at the end of a long day. It is an answer for anyone who needs confirmation that they are not alone and a brave place to quiet their mind and heal their soul.

There are no customer reviews for this item yet.

Classic Totes

Tote bags and pouches in a variety of styles, sizes, and designs , plus mugs, bookmarks, and more!

Shipping & Pickup

We ship anywhere in the U.S. and orders of $75+ ship free via media mail!

Noteworthy Signed Books: Join the Club!

Join our Signed First Edition Club (or give a gift subscription) for a signed book of great literary merit, delivered to you monthly.

Harvard Square's Independent Bookstore

© 2024 Harvard Book Store All rights reserved

Contact Harvard Book Store 1256 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02138

Tel (617) 661-1515 Toll Free (800) 542-READ Email [email protected]

View our current hours »

Join our bookselling team »

We plan to remain closed to the public for two weeks, through Saturday, March 28 While our doors are closed, we plan to staff our phones, email, and harvard.com web order services from 10am to 6pm daily.

Store Hours Monday - Saturday: 9am - 11pm Sunday: 10am - 10pm

Holiday Hours 12/24: 9am - 7pm 12/25: closed 12/31: 9am - 9pm 1/1: 12pm - 11pm All other hours as usual.

Map Find Harvard Book Store »

Online Customer Service Shipping » Online Returns » Privacy Policy »

Harvard University harvard.edu »

• Clubs & Services

'Black Joy': Inspiring new book reminds Black Americans happiness looks beautiful on them

These days, self-care is what the cool kids are doing. Social media users are wont to share attractive posts about meditation and yoga, or balancing their chakras. Before athletic superstars Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka chose self-care over performing in their respective fields, women pushed for full autonomy over their bodies by fighting for reproductive freedoms. Despite self-care creeping into mainstream spaces, its importance should not be diminished. 

In her new book “Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience and Restoration” (Gallery Books, 288 pp., ★★★ out of four, out Tuesday), Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts delivers a collection of ebullient essays showing how self-care and joy play out in the day-to-day lives of Black people. 

Lewis-Giggetts shows how Black joy operates as a hidden tool in the practice of Black resistance. Self-care was also a central theme within the Black Power movement. In addition to its survival programs, which focused on nutrition, clothing and health care, party members and leaders Ericka Huggins and Angela Davis practiced yoga and meditation during their incarceration. 

They're trying to ban 'Maus': Why you should read it and these 30 other challenged books

During the eruption of Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, media outlets mostly spoke about, and showed footage of, protestors looting and rioting. As Lewis-Giggetts shows in “Black Joy,'' running parallel to the pain and desperation associated with police violence were acts of pleasure and love. Between marches, protestors danced and sang. Men proposed to their girlfriends, and some couples even had weddings in the middle of BLM protests. “The engagements and weddings that happened in the middle of marches were too often considered anecdotal for some but were actually intentional acts of defiance,” Lewis-Giggetts writes. 

Blacks have been dehumanized for generations. By choosing joy and acts of love – such as engagements and marriages during protests – in the face of trauma and turbulent times, Blacks are exercising their humanity. When Biles and Osaka prioritize their mental health over entertaining America, they were biting back at perceived stereotypes of Black self-worth and giving flesh to all of the enslaved men, women and children who were forced to entertain slaveowners on Sundays and holidays. It is true that expressing joy in the face of police violence and inequality will not change the hearts of people. Neither will Black joy change laws; but Black joy is one of many subtle ways to challenge authority. 

In his supremely informative book “The Body Keeps the Score,” Bessel van der Kolk explains how traumatic feelings become trapped inside of the body, throwing off the nervous system. Meditation, breathing and movement are strategies that can release trauma and restore the nervous system back to its normal state. 

More: Rare Toni Morrison short story 'Recitatif' to publish as book with intro by Zadie Smith

In “Black Joy,” Lewis-Giggetts paints a beautiful picture of Blacks passionately and lustily swaying their glistening bodies against each other to the blues in shadowy hole-in-wall clubs. She also writes of how Black grandmothers, mothers and aunties rock back and forth while moaning sweet nothings during Sunday church service. Lewis-Giggetts even shares a narrative of how, as a little girl, she would stand naked in front of the mirror mouthing her favorite Mary J. Blige songs, or mimicking the off-kilter flow of E-40. Lewis-Giggetts describes how these joyful and carefree performances made her feel like she was at one with the universe.  

This type of body movement, along with meditation, yoga and deep breathing, releases the trauma that is trapped inside the body, helping to return the nervous system back to its original state. “The way the mothers of the church would sway to a beat provided by the shoes and wooden canes, it’s like they knew,” writes Lewis-Giggetts. “They didn’t have the fancy language, the academic jargon for it. They didn’t do any research on somatic experiencing and how moving the body in certain ways can help alter how trauma functions in the body or move it out entirely. They just had the song, and the meditation.” 

Lewis-Giggetts’ new tome adds a square to the quilt of Black radical imagination, posing the question: What type of world do Blacks imagine? “Black Joy is a poetic and fun reminder that Blacks are obligated to be gentle to themselves. As with the attractive social media posts about self-care, Lewis-Giggetts argues that the acknowledgment of joy in the everyday is an act of resistance. One just has to look for it.

Search Website Search

Black Joy is…

Black Joy possesses a range that is boundless and is not easily defined.

The most accurate definition is:

Black Joy is anything that inspires, supports, and uplifts Black culture.

This page is dedicated to highlighting, celebrating, and uplifting BLACK EXCELLENCE. The idea of Blackness is oftentimes limited to a particular lens or perspective. Black Joy is dedicated to expanding, stretching, and contributing to the overall definition of Blackness and Black Excellence.

The goal of Black Joy…

Engagement, Empowerment, Excellence, Enjoyment, Eudaemonia (look it up)

Each quarter will have a focus with particular topics tied to that focus:

Quarter Plan

Black Success - Fall Quarter

• Black Entrepreneurship
• Black Scholars
• Black Creatives
• Black Wealth

Black Love - Winter Quarter

• Black Romance
• Black Family
• Black Friendships
• Black Self- Love

Black Accomplishment - Spring Quarter

• Black Achievements
• Black Protest
• Black History
• Black Firsts

***Will highlight these topics every Tuesday on BBRC website and social media platforms***

Have a great idea for something that should be included on this page. Please submit here!

SUBMIT HERE

Our picks of the week

Vibe out to our picks of the week/month by scanning the Spotify QR code or searching for “BlackBruinJoy” on Spotify or Apple Music! Open Spotify, click the search icon at the bottom, and tap the camera icon to the side of the search bar to scan QR code.

Spotify Playlist

Memes of the Week

Need a laugh? Why of course you do because those never get old! Click here for some hilarious memes!

Link to Jamboad

We are all about the wellness of mind, heart, body, and soul. Check out these resources online and visit us in person for activities that engage all elements that keeps you whole.

Download and print these pages to improve focus, escape, and creativity.

Therapy for Black Girls is an online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls.

TherapyForBlackMen.org was born from the idea that Black men and boys face unique challenges and stigmatization, and therefore need a dedicated space for seeking and finding mental health support. We’ve made it our mission to strip away that stigmatization and ease the process of finding help.

Books by Black Authors

Be educated, empowered, and inspired by these authors.

From the award-winning, bestselling author of We Should All Be Feminists and Half of a Yellow Sun—the story of two Nigerians making their way in the U.S. and the UK, raising universal questions of race, belonging, the overseas experience for the African diaspora, and the search for identity and a home. Find Book Here

A fierce coming-of-age verse novel about identity and the power of drag, from acclaimed poet and performer Dean Atta. Perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo, Jason Reynolds, and Kacen Callender. Michael is a mixed-race gay teen growing up in London. All his life, he’s navigated what it means to be Greek-Cypriot and Jamaican—but never quite feeling Greek or Black enough. As he gets older, Michael’s coming out is only the start of learning who he is and where he fits in. When he discovers the Drag Society, he finally finds where he belongs—and the Black Flamingo is born. Told with raw honesty, insight, and lyricism, this debut explores the layers of identity that make us who we are—and allow us to shine. Find Book Here

Dr. Anderson's first book is a classic. It tracks slavery and Jim Crow public policies that used black labor to construct a superpower nation. It details how black people were socially engineered into the lowest level of a real life Monopoly game, which they are neither playing or winning. Black Labor is a comprehensive analysis of the issues of race. Dr. Anderson uses the anaylsis in this book to offer solutions to America's race problem. Find Book Here

This book is the collaborative effort of 3 black women who are passionate about the importance of mental health and self-care within the Black community. Too often we as Black Americans find ourselves confronted with the harsh realities of the stigmas associated with therapy and mental health awareness. So as a psychologist, an advocate, and an imaginative artist, we wanted to provide an alternative avenue for self-expression and creative therapy utilizing doodling and illustrations as a prompt towards a mental and personal breakthrough. It’s our hope that the Color-Coded Therapeutic Sketch Journal evokes inspiration and introspection as you progress along life’s journey. Find Book Here

When the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863, the black community owned less than 1 percent of the total wealth in America. More than 150 years later, that number has barely budged. The Color of Money seeks to explain the stubborn persistence of this racial wealth gap by focusing on the generators of wealth in the black community: black banks. With the civil rights movement in full swing, President Nixon promoted “black capitalism,” a plan to support black banks and minority-owned businesses. But the catch-22 of black banking is that the very institutions needed to help communities escape the deep poverty caused by discrimination and segregation inevitably became victims of that same poverty. In this timely and eye-opening account, Baradaran challenges the long-standing belief that black communities could ever really hope to accumulate wealth in a segregated economy. Find Book Here

In one of the greatest American classics, Baldwin chronicles a fourteen-year-old boy's discovery of the terms of his identity. Baldwin's rendering of his protagonist's spiritual, sexual, and moral struggle of self-invention opened new possibilities in the American language and in the way Americans understand themselves. Find Book Here

Antiracism is a transformative concept that reorients and reenergizes the conversation about racism—and, even more fundamentally, points us toward liberating new ways of thinking about ourselves and each other. At its core, racism is a powerful system that creates false hierarchies of human value; its warped logic extends beyond race, from the way we regard people of different ethnicities or skin colors to the way we treat people of different sexes, gender identities, and body types. Racism intersects with class and culture and geography and even changes the way we see and value ourselves. In How to Be an Antiracist, Kendi takes readers through a widening circle of antiracist ideas—from the most basic concepts to visionary possibilities—that will help readers see all forms of racism clearly, understand their poisonous consequences, and work to oppose them in our systems and in ourselves. Find Book Here

A collection of 25 essays examining the neuroses of white supremacy. Find Book Here

9 memoirs that celebrate Black joy and help paint a fuller picture of the Black experience in America

• The Black Lives Matter movement focuses on several serious topics like police reform and inequality.
• But activists say that the movement should also highlight Black joy and success. 
• Book review website Goodreads compiled a list of 96 books that celebrate Black joy. 

Black History Month is an important time to educate yourself on the Black experience in America. 

The Black Lives Matter movement is raising awareness around several serious topics: police reform, over-incarceration, inequality in education, racism in the workplace, discrimination in the health system, to name a few.

But that's only part of the story.

"The other part about Black Lives Matter that I think people miss is Black joy and Black liberation," Genisha Metcalf, a 35-year-old mother of two and Black Lives Matter activist told Insider in August.

Book review website Goodreads recently compiled a list of 96 books on Black joy, which includes titles in fantasy, romance, science fiction, and essay collections. Here are nine memoirs by Black authors that highlight other sides of the Black experience.

This article was originally published in August 2020. 

"It's About Damn Time," by Arlan Hamilton

Arlan Hamilton , the founder of Backstage Capital and one of the few queer Black women in venture capital, shares her story about how she went from living on food stamps to breaking into the boy's club of Silicon Valley. Hamilton's story challenges the conventional narrative of what it takes to become successful. 

Find it here>>  

"Year of Yes," by Shonda Rhimes

American TV producer and screenwriter Shonda Rhimes is the force behind top hits like "Scandal" and "Grey's Anatomy." In this bestseller, she shares her story of a one-year experiment when she said "Yes" to new opportunities and challenges. Her story is a call for people to get outside their comfort zone and try new things. 

Find it here>> 

"The Light of the World," by Elizabeth Alexander

In "The Light of the World," Pulitzer prize finalist and poet Elizabeth Alexander recounts the sudden death of her husband and her journey from grief to hope. Former First Lady Michelle Obama called the book "magnificent." 

"Perhaps tragedies are only tragedies in the presence of loss, which confers meaning to loss," Alexander writes.

Find it here>>

"The Pretty One," by Keah Brown

Keah Brown, who has cerebral palsy, recounts her journey from self-hate to self-love in "The Pretty One." Brown explains how she went from wanting to be "normal," to accepting herself, and then celebrating her difference in creating the viral hashtag #DisabledAndCute. 

“Dressed in Dreams,” by Tanisha Ford

In "Dressed in Dreams," Tashina Ford uses pieces of fashion to tell her coming-of-age story as a Black woman. Ford, a history professor at The City University of New York, explains how the personal is political with each fashion story: from how wearing the wrong color can lead to gang violence to the appropriation of Black culture in today's society. 

"More Than Enough," by Elaine Welteroth

Elaine Welteroth, editor in chief of Teen Vogue, tells her story of climbing the ranks in the world of media and fashion, sharing the valuable life lessons about race and gender she learned along the way. 

Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai says the book "is a guide for young people who want to find their voice, a crash course for those who want to challenge the status quo, and an adventure story for all of us." 

"Mind and Matter," by John Urschel and Louisa Thomas

In this bestselling book, John Urschel tells his incredible story of how he pursued and obtained his PhD in mathematics at MIT while he was an offensive lineman for the Baltimore Ravens. His story talks about the importance of ignoring self-limiting doubt.

"The Warner Boys," by Ana and Curt Warner

Former NFL Seahawks star Curt Warner and his wife, Ana, took a step back from the public in the 1990s. Their two youngest sons, twins Austin and Christian, had been diagnosed with autism, which they decided to keep secret for years. In this memoir, the couple talks about going from self-isolation and fear to a place of peace and advocacy. 

"Black Girls Rock!" by Beverly Bond

In 2006, model and DJ Beverly Bond founded "Black Girls Rock!" an awards show that celebrates Black women in entertainment, entrepreneurship, and more. In this book, Bond recounts starting the awards show and presents a collection of essays from a mix of powerful Black women, including actress Kerry Washington, filmmaker Ava DuVernay, and tennis champion Serena Williams. 

• Main content

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then   View saved stories .

• Conditionally
• Newsletter Signup

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Health Conditions Chevron

Mental Health Chevron

• COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Black Joy Isn’t Frivolous—It’s Necessary

When I first started writing this, I was excited to wax poetic about black joy and Instagram battles. I started drafting this story a week before Mother’s Day, buzzing from how the internet coalesced around Teddy Riley and Babyface and excited to watch Erykah Badu and Jill Scott battle it out . Amid the coronavirus outbreak, these Verzuz battles were reminding me of how vital it is for black people to experience joy. It’s a secret ingredient to black resilience, in my opinion.

At the time, my primary motivation for writing this was compensatory. It’s well documented that black and brown people are at greater risk of death from COVID-19. I wanted to talk about how joy has to be part of black health too, and how finding these moments of lightness can help us persevere. Inevitably, when the conversation turns toward black folks enjoying themselves, someone suggests that it’s a distraction from larger issues. But happiness and levity have quantifiable health benefits, and I was ready to discuss them.

Then I heard about Ahmaud Arbery , the 25-year-old man gunned down while jogging near his Georgia home in February. And news tumbled in of Breonna Taylor , a 26-year-old EMT in Kentucky who died in March after being shot by police while she slept in bed. Processing racism alongside a pandemic left me far more exhausted than joyful.

I still believe that joy is an integral part of black well-being, and I’m not the first person to say this. Audre Lorde wrote eloquently about how caring for oneself is an act of resistance. There’s also the Black Joy movement, sprouted alongside Black Lives Matter, which celebrates the happiness, playfulness, and freedom that undergird social justice. Adrienne Maree Brown’s 2019 anthology, Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good , gives a nudge toward understanding the power inherent in being delighted. While I’m not the first to say that joy, creativity, and even eroticism are necessary components of black health, I lend my voice to the chorus because we’re facing overwhelming challenges, and the things that sustain us—no matter how small or playful—should never be discounted.

This notion that joy fortifies isn’t just philosophical. A 2019 meta-analysis published in the Annual Review of Public Health found associations between affective well-being (defined as joy and seeking pleasure) and lowered stress hormones like cortisol. (Overproduction of cortisol from chronic stress can contribute to a host of ailments from heart disease to depression, the Mayo Clinic says.) There’s evidence that laughter, thanks to its stress-relieving effects, can help support your immune system, among other benefits. And, since this piece was inspired by Instagram battles, it’s worth noting that a consistent habit of dancing (hopefully swaying in your seat is included) does count as exercise and, as such, can nurture the parts of the brain that have to do with memory, planning, and organizing, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. There’s also some evidence that listening to music might help reduce chronic pain thanks to the power of distraction, the National Institutes of Health explains. And a 2017 meta-analysis published in Perspectives of Public Health found an encouraging link between listening to music (as well as singing it) and improved mood in adults of all ages. My point? Joy isn’t a distraction—it’s nourishment. It’s part of where some of us find the energy to continue thriving.

The essay I wanted to write is no longer as relevant—the Jill Scott and Erykah Badu battle was restorative (the Nelly and Ludacris battle, a little weird)—but that essay was probably incomplete. Finding joy is useful, but I can’t talk about the necessity of it right now without making space for the inherent risks—a man was shot while jogging down the street, a woman shot while sleeping in her bed. I can’t talk fully about black joy in public without talking about these killings. And I refuse to make a recommendation for black joy without acknowledging that joy alone won’t change the ways we’re under threat. But I still believe it’s something that pours out of us organically, and it should never be undervalued.

My hope, as we weather the pandemic and the latest round of senseless killings, is that you’re able to find respite in moments of joy and laughter. And if you can, throw yourself unapologetically into those feelings. Those are legitimately good for you.

• Letter of Recommendation: Finding Joy in Movement During the Pandemic
• You’re Allowed to Feel Joy Right Now
• Erykah Badu and Jill Scott’s ‘Verzuz’ Was the Healing Moment Black Women Needed

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.

14 Amazon end-of-summer problem-solvers, from $10

• Share this —

• Watch Full Episodes
• Read With Jenna
• Inspirational
• Relationships
• TODAY Table
• Newsletters
• Start TODAY
• Shop TODAY Awards
• Citi Concert Series
• Listen All Day

Follow today

More Brands

• On The Show
• TODAY Plaza

10 exceptional people who are using Black joy as a form of resistance

As Black people continue to fight for justice against police brutality , discrimination , institutionalized racism , and more, Kleaver Cruz of the “ Black Joy Project " is just one of many who have been encouraging Black people to choose joy as a form of resistance.

Cruz notes that Black joy is a type of “internally driven” happiness that can happen when someone consciously chooses pleasure as a way to combat the traumas of racism.

“We choose it all the time anyway,” he told TODAY. “In the notion of choosing it actively and consciously, it then becomes something that you can feel isn’t just happening to people.” He added: “It honestly feels like an ancestral responsibility.”

According to a recent study from researchers at UCLA , discrimination can greatly impact a young adult’s mental health, causing them to turn to drugs or experience "psychological distress," because of higher levels of anxiety and depression.

Other than getting therapy , adequate sleep, and practicing self-care — like Maysa Akbar, author of “Urban Trauma: A Legacy of Racism,” suggests — Cruz notes that it can also be helpful to choose Black joy to get your mental health back on track.

"I think one of the most radical things you have access to is imagination. We literally have the ability to create what does not yet exist that we need," he said. "And Black joy, choosing it as a way to practice that imagination, to make it real. And deciding like, this is what I need."

As a way to celebrate Black history this month , TODAY is here to share 10 exceptional people who are exemplifying Black joy while uplifting their communities.

1) A’Lelia Bundles and Cara Sabin

A'Lelia Bundles is continuing the legacy of her great-great-grandmother, Madam C.J. Walker, who was the first Black female to become a millionaire in America after she sold her Black hair care products.

To pay homage to her ancestor, Bundles teamed up with Cara Sabin — CEO of Sundial Brands, the parent company of MADAM by Madam C.J. Walker — to change Black hair care as we know it.

The duo collaborated to launch 11 new "damage-defying" products for the MADAM by Madam C.J. Walker line, which they hope will evoke more joy in women of color.

"We want MADAM to be that tool that really helps her unleash her individuality and just the depth and complexity of who she is and do it in a way that is really seamless," Sabin told TODAY.

"And I think when you're using the products, just knowing this legacy of Madam C.J. Walker, I think it's empowering for women of all ages," Bundles added.

2) Sage the Flame

In May 2020, the news of George Floyd's death sparked Black Lives Matter protests around the world. Many people of color were impacted deeply by witnessing the realities of racism in America across every news outlet and social media platform, including a woman who goes by the name of Sage the Flame on Instagram.

"I felt physical stress. I was having trouble sleeping. I was feeling like physically unwell," she told TODAY.

To cope, Sage began searching for the funniest videos she could find of Black people laughing — and then she shared her favorites on Instagram .

"I was like, let me put this together and share so that other people can feel something lighter during this time of darkness," she said.

Sage's post quickly went viral with the caption: “Our rage is undeniably justified however our joy is also necessary."

“Feel free to share these glorious laughs,” Sage told TODAY.

3) Kenzo Brooks

While watching Disney's "Encanto" with his parents, 2-year-old Kenzo Brooks felt overjoyed when he noticed that the character Antonio looked just like him.

“He immediately gravitated towards the image of Antonio,” Kenzo’s mom, Kaheisha Brand, recently told TODAY Parents. “It just made my heart smile because I do believe that he thought he was seeing himself because of the resemblance between him and Antonio.”

Brand took a cute picture of the moment and shared it on social media in December 2021. Her post gained thousands of likes, which made her realize just how important it was for people of color to be represented on-screen.

"I think that for me, and for us, it made us feel like there’re so many people that echoed the same sentiments that we felt in that moment that our child was being seen,” she said.

Brand continues to post adorable photos of her son smiling on Instagram like when she shared a collage of photos of Kenzo making faces on Feb. 4 or her January 11 post of Kenzo riding a scooter.

"It's the joy for me," Brand wrote in the caption.

4) Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union's family

Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union and their family do not hold back from displaying Black joy across social media. To start, their 3-year-old daughter, Kaavia James — a.k.a "Shady Baby" — is winning hearts on Instagram with her hilarious facial expressions and honest reactions. She's not even in kindergarten yet, but the toddler already has over 1 million followers.

Union is also a stepmom to Wade's three older kids — Zaire Wade, 20, Zaya, 14, and Xavier, 8 — from previous relationships, and this brood has displayed Black joy time and time again.

For starters, Zaya, who identifies as transgender, came out to Union and her dad last year . Her act of courage made Wade see his child differently. “When I look at Zaya, I get hope,” he told People in April 2021. “Because I’m like, OK, we raised [our kids] to be authentic.”

Zaya, living in her truth, is another instance of Black joy and on Instagram, she's shown what happiness looks like for her. In December, Zaya shared a pic of herself smiling and captioned it "happy" with the yellow-heart emoji. Then, in November she posted a pic of her family having a great time together.

"Thankful 🖤," Zaya captioned the post.

5) Jonah Larson

Even though Jonah Larson is only 13 years old, he’s already a prodigy. Larson taught himself how to crochet when he was 5 years old, and his unique designs and hard work have earned him a massive following on social media and a successful business known as Jonah’s Hands .

“I see crochet as a positive way to bring the world together, and it’s just a craft that everybody comes together and enjoys,” he previously told TODAY .

On his social media accounts, Jonah shows himself making everything from warm blankets to beautiful headbands , and sometimes you might catch him making something cool for his sister, Mercy.

Last Valentine's Day, he gifted her with a cute velvet teddy bear that he made by hand and this year, he made her an adorable plush owl that she can take anywhere.

Jonah's Instagram bio reads, "Let’s bring the world closer together one stitch at a time."

If that's not Black joy, then I don't know what is.

6) Claire Siobhan Sulmers 

As the CEO and founder of Fashion Bomb Daily , an upscale fashion blog dedicated to highlighting fashions from the African diaspora, Claire Sulmers tells TODAY that her website didn't get to 2 million followers on Instagram overnight. In fact, it was the way that she made Black people feel represented in Hollywood that made her an internet sensation.

"I started Fashion Bomb Daily in 2006 as a response to what I felt were imbalanced representations of people of color in the media," Sulmers said. "And I just wanted to express my passion for fashion while also showcasing Black excellence in all its various forms through fashion."

Sulmers clearly achieved her goal, because her blog became so popular that she started Fashion Bomb Daily Shop , a marketplace where Black designers can sell their designs and create generational wealth for their families.

"When you remove that stress from yourself then you can truly be joyful and free," she said.

7) Dr. Thema Bryant

Another great way to choose Black joy is to make sure that you're keeping tabs on your mental health. Black people are seeking more medical attention during the coronavirus pandemic as a June 2020 Washington Post poll  found that 1 in 3 Black people knew someone who had died from COVID-19.

Dr. Thema Bryant , president-elect of the American Psychological Association and NAACP Image Award nominee, has been helping Black people deal with their mental health struggles by sharing helpful quotes on Instagram , such as her February 7 post .

She wrote, "Living from a place of panic will have you always prepared for the worst. May you have the safety to settle your spirit enough to embrace good."

On January 19, she also shared an inspirational quote , which read, "Recognize the pattern of those who want to break your spirit. They can't accompany you to the place you want to go."

Dr. Thema's uplifting posts have helped many people of color on Instagram. "Thank you Dr. Thema 🤲 Your voice and words has been a pillar of support along the path," one person commented on one of her posts . "You’re right, growth does look good on me 🥳🥰🙏💚."

Another said , "Thanks for reminding us that we too can have compassion for ourselves. When I started to practice this my healing came thru. I am so proud of myself. Thank you Dr Thema. ❤️❤️."

Sahaj Kohli, founder of Brown Girl Therapy , previously told TODAY how important it is for children of immigrants to get therap y.

“It’s hard to believe that you deserve quality care when the care doesn’t look like you,” Kohli said. “One in 4 children in the United States is a child of immigrants. We deserve quality care, we deserve to be seen.”

8) Davis Jamison

In 2019, Davis Jamison, aka “ The Dope Educator ," became a face for Black joy when he created a unique handshake for all 75 of his students — and remembered them.

"More black men are needed in the school system!" he wrote on Twitter at the time. "In my 3 years of teaching I’ve never had discipline problems because I make sure that all my students feel counted for. The foundation in maximizing the fullest potential of all students is through love and human interaction."

Jamison's post went viral. People loved it so much that GAP decided to team up with Jamison and a few of his kids for a back-to-school campaign they launched in 2021.

"This is major," Jamison said when she shared the news on Twitter . "You can now find me and my students of @SCSK12Unified on a billboard on Times Square in New York City! The confidence of my scholars has grown tremendously throughout the campaign for @gapkids! We are forever grateful to represent the 901."

But no matter how famous Jamison gets, he says that he'll still greet his kids with a "dope" handshake every chance he gets.

"I remember being asked in an interview last year, 'would I still welcome my students with customized greetings once they return?'" he recalled on Twitter in March 2021. "My response remains the same, you don’t have to physically touch a child to actually 'touch' a child. #thedopeeducator ."

9) Wisdom Cole

Wisdom Cole is the National Director of the NAACP Youth & College Division. As someone who works on over 800 youth councils, Cole knows how important it is for Black children to work through the "trauma of the past" and choose joy.

"During this period of time, it can be really difficult to be happy to find joy," he told TODAY. "But finding Black joy is also healing, right? Like as Black people, we have a lot of trauma from the past. There are things that have been unresolved in our family and within our community. And so when I think about Black joy, I really think about this process of making sure that we are good matches for today, but for the future. Making sure that we are able to step into our power."

10) Jessica Watkins

In 1992, Dr. Mae C. Jemison made history when she boarded the Endeavour and became the first Black woman in space . Nearly 30 years later, history is being made again with NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins, who is set to become the first Black woman that will be part of an International Space Station crew.

This April, Watkins will be making her journey into the great unknown alongside NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren and Robert Hines, and astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency. They'll be departing Earth on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule, and they're not expected to return until six months later, when they finish their mission known as Crew-4.

Watkins, who was selected for NASA'S astronaut program in 2017, told NPR’s Morning Edition in January how happy she was to undertake this mission.

“We are building on the foundation that was laid by the Black women astronauts who have come before me,” she said. “I’m definitely honored to be a small part of that legacy, but ultimately be an equal member of the crew.”

Watkins is currently getting ready for her journey into space as tensions continue to arise between Washington and Moscow over Ukraine. However, she says that Crew-4 can show how cooperative everyone can be since the U.S portion of the international space station is docked in the Russian segment.

“We are all coming together to accomplish this really hard thing that none of us would be able to do on our own,” Watkins said. “I think that is just such a beautiful picture of what we can all do if we come together and put all of our resources and skill sets together.”

Related video:

Joyann Jeffrey is a trending news reporter based in New York City

11 inspiring Black American heroes whose stories deserve to be celebrated

Celebrate black history.

11 Black history facts to commemorate Black History Month

It's Black History Month. Here's everything you need to know

Here are 10 words that will be featured in the African American English Dictionary

Atlanta queer-friendly Black church is source of solace for LGBTQ youth: 'I look over and see my people'

She quit her job to open her town’s only bookstore focused on BIPOC-authors. Hundreds showed up to the opening

Meet a surviving member of the WWII Black female battalion unit 'Six Triple Eight'

Lelanie Foster says it was an 'honor' to shoot Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s official portrait

‘The Gilded Age’ gives viewers a rare glimpse into the 19th-century Black elite

Morning Edition

Listen live.

BBC Newshour

In-depth analysis and commentary on today's biggest news stories as only the BBC can deliver. BBC "Newshour" covers everything from the growth of democracy to the threat of terrorism with a fresh, clear perspective from across the globe.

• Race & Ethnicity

On the sound of black joy

The music filled me with joy; the music made me feel free, even when the lyrics were speaking to conditions of struggle..

• R. Eric Thomas

( M.G.J. /Big Stock Photo)

2017 GOT ME FEELING LIKE 🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/kWjQFjM0wD — 🌻 (@JAYVERSACE) January 13, 2017

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Brought to you by Speak Easy

Thoughtful essays, commentaries, and opinions on current events, ideas, and life in the Philadelphia region.

Part of the series

WHYY celebrates Black History Month with Philly.com by publishing essays for their series Black History Untold: Joy.

You may also like

Air Date: August 8, 2024 12:00 pm

2023 In Review: Behind the Scenes of Our Favorite Episodes

Cherri and Avi revisit their most memorable segments, from famous authors, to cocktail mixologists, to live music and the host of Jeopardy.

Air Date: December 28, 2023 12:00 pm

James McBride’s ‘The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store’

In his new book, award-winning author James McBride pairs a page-turning murder mystery set in Pottstown, P.a. with a powerful story of compassion, community and love.

Air Date: August 11, 2023 12:00 pm

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal

THE BLACK JOY PROJECT ®

AVAILABLE WHEREVER BOOKS ARE SOLD!

Featuring 117 full-color photos and eight breathtaking essays on a force that fuels Black life all around the globe.

“In literature, there are some books that transcend mere pages and ink, becoming essential pieces of cultural expression. One such book poised to make its mark is  The Black Joy Project …. This ambitious work breaks new ground.” – Essence

Black Joy is everywhere. From the bustling streets of Lagos to hip-hop blasting through apartment windows in the Bronx. From the wide-open coastal desert of Namibia to the lush slopes of Jamaica’s Blue Mountains. From the thriving tradition of Candomblé in Bahia to the innovative and trendsetting styles of Soweto, and beyond, Black Joy is present in every place that Black people exist. Now—at last—is a one-of-a-kind celebration of this truth and a life-giving testament to one of the most essential forces that fuels Black life: The Black Joy Project ®.

THE BLACK JOY PROJECT®

An historic site and cultural center in Central Brooklyn that uses education, arts and a social justice lens to preserve, document and inspire engagement with the history of Weeksville, one of the largest free Black communities in pre-Civil War America.

One morning in late November of 2015,

I woke up feeling like a ton of bricks were on top of me that morning. I could not get out of my bed. I laid still, heavy, wondering what was the source of my sadness. I thought about how, earlier that year, my family and I had experienced the sudden and tragic loss of my uncle Ali—may he rest in peace. I thought about how present I was for and to Black death and pain through my organizing work with various activist collectives in New York City, and the ways I felt bombarded by these things on a daily basis. By the time I woke up that morning, I had already made a commitment to not watch anymore videos of Black death and continue refusing to repost them anywhere on the internet.

I decided that my social media timelines needed some joy amidst the sharing of important information, thoughts, art, photos and videos that can be upsetting and at its worst depressing and (re)traumatizing. So, I posted a picture of my mom smiling on Facebook and asked for others to post their #BlackJoy moments. I then decided to take on a 30-day personal challenge (that I kept to myself) to share photos of Black joy. After a few weeks and a couple of moving responses, it seemed right to make this a regular installation and share it more openly. It was then that The Black Joy Project was formally born. It has been a journey of traveling and being in community with Black people in all kinds of places and contexts to understand what Black joy means to us wherever we exist in the world and how it can be a source of healing, community building and ultimately a contribution to revolutionary practices that will realize global Black liberation. Welcome!

RESOURCE GUIDE

Over the course of developing and expanding The Black Joy Project, I have crossed paths with many joy makers and outlets of joy. What better way to conjure more joy than sharing about the places where it already exists? The following is a list to browse through if you are eager to learn about more places to find joy. Make new connections with people, discover a new place, and try something new in your neighborhood. Let this list inspire you, as it has inspired me. By no means is the list exhaustive, let it serve as a launch pad. 

TBJP Book Playlist

Music has been a lifeline on the journey of writing this book and the many challenging life and world events that occurred during the process. This playlist is an amalgam of the lyrics, beats, sounds and languages that sparked joy in moments when it was most fully present and when it was hard to find at all.

Black Collagists | @blackcollagists

A digital archive aimed to highlight works of Black collagists around the world. Founded and curated by Teri Henderson.

The Black Joy Museum | www.museumofblackjoy.com

A digital museum created and curated by long-time activist and artist, Andrea “Philly” Walls to serve as “a borderless refuge for the observation, cultivation, celebration and preservation of black joy.”

Osengwa | osengwa.disha.page

A neo-African encounter. A collection of lovingly curated pieces of contemporary African influenced art, music and clothing designs.

TAK-The Art Kultured | @theartkultured

A Nairobi-based art agency that amplifies the many talents of African artists. They have an incredibly insightful project called #100daysofwomenartistsea to amplify art made by women in East Africa.

Gallery Gurls | @gallerygurls

Gallery Gurls spotlights Black and POC changemakers in contemporary art in New York City and beyond. Since 2012, its Black Latina EIC and Founder, Jasmin Hernandez, and contributors, have reviewed dope exhibits, interviewed game changers in contemporary art, both emerging and established, and much more.

BOOKS + MAGAZINES

Back in the days | jamel shabazz.

A photographic documentary of the hip-hop scene in 1980s New York City before it blew up into the global multi-million-dollar industry it is today.

The Black Trans Prayer Book | Co-edited by J Mase III + Dane Figueroa Edidi

An interfaith and beyond faith collection of poems, spells, incantations, theological narrative, and visual offerings by Black Trans, Non-Binary, and Intersex people.

FESTAC ’77 | Ntone Edjabe, Graeme Arendse, Ziphozenkosi Dayile, Duduetsang Lamola, Stacy Hardy, Bongani Kona, Ben Verghese, Moses März, Akin Adesokan, Mamadou Diallo, Dominique Malaquais, Terry Ayugi, Andrea Meeson, Eva Munyiri

An incredible anthology and collection of materials and primary sources related to FESTAC ’77, the 2nd World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture hosted in Lagos, Nigeria in 1977.

Forever Young: James Barnor | Edited by Renee Mussai

The first monograph of legendary Ghanaian photographer James Barnor who’s work and life has spanned some of the most iconic and historic moments in Black history of the 20th century.

Justice of the Pies: Sweet and Savory Pies, Quiches, and Tarts Plus Inspirational Stories from Exceptional People: A Baking Book | Maya-Camille Broussard

Delicious recipes for with a purpose from celebrated Chicago baker and star of Netflix’s Bake Squad.

Quarto de Despejo / Child of the Dark | Carolina Maria de Jesus

A seminal work in Afro-Brazilian history, de Jesus’ diary entries-turned book about her daily life in a 1950s São Paulo favela changed the world forever when it was first published in 1960.

We Do This ‘Till We Free Us | Mariam Kaba

A powerful collection of essays about liberation that uplifts the understanding that the power to get free is within everyday people. Kaba offers her always insightful perspective as she works through questions of freedom and how to get there.

The World According to Fannie Davis: My Mother’s Life in the Detroit Numbers | Bridgett Davis

Set against the backdrop of Detroit in the 1960’s and 1970’s, the story of the life of a one-of-a-kind matriarch whose business in the Numbers made her daughter’s dreams come true. (Source: Goodreads)

Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration | Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts

When Tracey M. Lewis-Giggetts wrote an essay on Black joy for The Washington Post , she had no idea just how deeply it would resonate. But the outpouring of positive responses affirmed her own lived experience: that Black joy is not just a weapon of resistance, it is a tool for resilience.

Black Joy | Various, Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff (Edited by), Timi Sotire (Edited by)

Edited by award-winning journalist, and former gal-dem editor-in-chief, Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff and up-and-coming talent Timi Sotire , twenty-eight iconic voices speak on what Black joy means to them in this uplifting and empowering anthology.

Dive in Well

A company founded by Maryam Ajayi to make the wellness space more equitable and accessible to BIPOC people. The company works with individuals and businesses with the intent to amplify people of color’s voices in the world of wellness and its industry.

Drama MaMa Bookshop

This Baltimore, MD based business was borne from a healing process to work through the loss of a close friend, Alison L. Brock’s shop sells beautifully crafted journals as well as host workshops for participants to create their own.

A creative wellness agency that supports communities and organizations with joy-flavored trainings and experiences.

A passion project turned clothing and apparel brand led by Brittany and Rashaad Dixon made to inspire.

Most Incredible

Most Incredible is a New York and Chicago-based creative studio aimed at celebrating and commemorating the artists and moments that continue to elevate and define hip-hop culture – through LEGO.

Rayo and Honey

Owner and artist, Roachele Negron transforms phrases from literature, affirming quotes, and pop-culture references that inspire her, into hangable and wearable artworks.

The Sable Collective

A Philadelphia-based boutique curated for Black women to explore their narratives of joy, beauty, and wellness.

Shoppe Black

A trusted hub and resource for all things Black-owned created by Shantrelle P. Lewis and Tony Lawson.

A power tool for black and queer creatives. Founded and led by Ricky Davii

A creative studio that provides decolonized learning and creative development for makers, creators, and organizations across Black and indigenous diasporas.

Zambo Aroma

A Black-queer owned and New York City-based shop that specializes in crafting herbal-infused all-natural body care products, including soaps, body butters, body scrubs, candles, and more. Their soaps are made by hand, using natural oils and botanicals. Each item is not just skincare but a work of art created to promote self-care and love.

MOVIES + DOCUMENTARIES

Summer of soul | directed by ahmir “questlove” thompson.

Over the course of six weeks in the summer of 1969, just one hundred miles south of Woodstock, The Harlem Cultural Festival was filmed in Mount Morris Park (now Marcus Garvey Park). The footage was largely forgotten–until now. SUMMER OF SOUL shines a light on the importance of history to our spiritual well-being and stands as a testament to the healing power of music during times of unrest, both past and present.

The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 | Directed by Göran Olsson, IFC Films

The film mobilizes a treasure trove of 16mm material shot by Swedish journalists who came to the US drawn by stories of urban unrest and revolution. Gaining access to many of the leaders of the Black Power Movement—Stokely Carmichael, Bobby Seale, Angela Davis and Eldridge Cleaver among them—the filmmakers captured them in intimate moments and remarkably unguarded interviews.

Moonlight | Directed by Barry Jenkins, A24

A moving film that chronicles the life of a young black man from childhood to adulthood as he struggles to find his place in the world while growing up in a rough neighborhood of Miami.

Rafiki | Directed by Wanuri Kahiu

Bursting with the colorful street style & music of Nairobi’s vibrant youth culture, RAFIKI is a tender love story between two young women in a country that still criminalizes homosexuality.

The Wiz | Directed by Sydney Lumet

A 1978 classic film and re-imagining of The Wizard of Oz through a Black cultural lens. Starring Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Ted Ross and Nipsey Russell.

Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse | Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller

In this epic animated film we are introduced to Miles Morales, the Spider-verse’s first Afro-latinx Spiderman and his journey to becoming the iconic superhero.

Breathing Black | Directed by Tina Canady

An exploration of the roles of Black joy, healing and breath in the lives of Black Baltimoreans filmed in the wake of the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

ORGANIZATIONS

African voices magazine.

A not-for-profit cultural arts organization dedicated to fostering cultural understanding and awareness through literature and the arts. Established in 1992, African Voices publishes a quarterly literary magazine and sponsors literary readings, art exhibitions, writing workshops and community programs.

AfroResistance | Bronx, New York

A community-based organization that addresses the diverse political, economic, and cultural needs of the growing Latinx and Caribbean populations in the United States, with a special emphasis on African Descendants and Indigenous people. www.afroresistance.org

Alma Preta Jornalismo | São Paulo, Brazil

Uma agência de notícias e comunicação especializada na temática étnico-racial no Brasil.

A news and communication agency specialized in race-based issues in Brazil.

The Black Feminist Project | Bronx, New York

Its mission is to enrich the lives of, restore agency, justice, joy, and health to Black Womxn, girls, and non-men, often referred to as marginalized genders or MaGes and the children they care for—with an emphasis on mother-led families.

Black Joy Parade | Oakland, California

A hyper-positive non-profit that celebrates the Black experience and community’s contribution to history and culture with its signature parade and celebration, partnerships, and events.

Black Veterans Project | U.S.

An organization committed to elevating public education around the unique history of Black veterans in the United States.

BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective) | U.S.

A national training, movement building, and grant making institution that is dedicated to the healing, wellness, and liberation of Black and marginalized communities.

The Black Archives | Amsterdam, The Netherlands

The Black Archives is a unique historical archive for inspiring conversations, activities and literature from Black and other perspectives that are often overlooked elsewhere. It also documents the history of Black emancipation movements and individuals in the Netherlands. www.theblackarchives.nl

Black Cultural Archives | London, UK

A groundbreaking institution in London’s Brixton neighborhood that aims to collect, preserve, and celebrate the histories of people of African and Caribbean descent in the UK

Black Trans Femmes in the Arts | US-based

A community-based arts organization that builds community and mobilizes resources to support Black trans femme artists (artists who were assigned male-at-birth and now identify somewhere underneath the femme umbrella). www.btfacollective.org

Blak Dot Gallery | Naarm (Melbourne), Australia

The leading gallery for contemporary First Nations art in Australia. Blak Dot Gallery was established in 2011 as a contemporary First Nations artist-run space to showcase contemporary artworks from world Indigenous cultures.

Bondfire Radio | Brooklyn, New York

An interactive live stream network providing a unique blend of entertainment and valuable information for its listeners led by Keisha “TK” Dutes + Conscious Walker.

Coletivo Kilomba (Kilomba Collective) | United States

Kilomba Collective é um coletivo dedicado a centrar a perspectiva e a realidade do povo negro brasileiro, especialmente mulheres e meninas negras em suas múltiplas identidades, no cenário internacional, conectando-se com outros movimentos de mulheres negras da diáspora africana.

A collective dedicated to centering the perspective and realities of Black Brazilian people, especially Black women, and girls in their multiple identities, as well as connect with other Black women’s movements in the African Diaspora.

EveryBlackGirl, Inc | Columbia, South Carolina

A South Carolina-based organization that  organizes and provides programming to address the conditions leading to BlackGirls  being pushed out of schools and becoming at risk for arrest, confinement and incarceration. Specifically, EveryBlackGirl, Inc. is interested in creating change to prevent: d isciplinary referrals, suspensions, and expulsions of  BlackGirls; s tate and interpersonal violence; a nti-Blackness and invisibilization of  BlackGirls.

The Free Black Women’s Library

The Free Black Women’s Library is a social art project, interactive installation and book collection that celebrates the brilliance, diversity and imagination of Black women and Black non-binary authors. The library features four thousand books written by Black women, as well as workshops, readings, story circles, performances, cultural conversations and a monthly reading club.

Marsha P. Johnson Institute | US-based

Named after the iconic activist, MPJI is an organization with a mission to protect and defend the human rights of BLACK transgender people by organizing, advocating, creating an intentional community to heal, developing transformative leadership, and promoting our collective power.

Muñecas Negras RD | Dominican Republic

Es una iniciativa que busca el empoderamiento de mujeres negras y niñas de la Republica Dominicana

An initiative to empower Black women and girls via Black doll-making and self-esteem workshops facilitated by local Black women and activists.

A digital platform for storytelling; born out of not seeing enough Queer Black stories and stories, in general, of people of Black ancestry. The focus is to make stories by African, Caribbean and Afro-Latinx fam available and readily accessible.

Sankofa Village Community Garden | Pittsburgh, PA

Led by Master Gardner Vicky Ayanna Jones, this initiative aims to teach young people in the Homewood neighborhood of Pittsburgh. The initiative is intended to address issues of a food apartheid as well as train folks on techniques of self-sustainment.

Soul Fire Farm | Grafton, NY

An Afro-Indigenous centered community farm committed to uprooting racism and seeding sovereignty in the food system. Its programs reach over 160-thousand people a year. www.soulfirefarm.org

Still Nomads | Melbourne + Sydney, Australia

A creative research platform focused on African black art based on Wurundjeri + Boonwurrung + Darug lands.

Black Trans Travel Fund | Bronx, NY

BTTF is an initiative to help Black trans women self determine safer options for travel in NYC/NJ, a direct response to the heightened relentless & unacceptable violence Black trans women across the country experience

F2L: Relief Fund

Relief fund that provides commissary support to incarcerated Black, Indigenous & People of Color who are queer, trans and/or two-spirit in New York.

BLINC | South Florida

An acronym for Black LGBTQ+ Liberation, Inc. is a South Florida based organization founded by Nik Harris and G Wright. Formed after running their event series, Thou Art Woman, which addressed numerous issues in the BIPOC LGBTQ+ community. Along with being the first to bring an LGBTQ+ exhibition to a Caribbean space, they’ve employed and engaged over 100+ LGBTQ+ women and ally artists.

The Okra Project

A mutual aid collective is focused on supporting Black Trans people and alleviating the barriers that the community faces.

Black Trans Art & Joy Fund | Netherlands & Belgium

Community care initiative to uplift and support the Black Trans community in the Netherlands and Belgium.

PODCASTS AND MORE

A platform all “about queer Africans living, loving, surviving and thriving, in the African continent and its Diaspora.”

Black in the Garden

A celebration of Black experiences in the garden at the intersection of Black culture and horticulture. Hosted by Cola B. Tawkin.

The Cheeky Natives

A Black literature podcast and platform focused on archiving and amplifying Black stories. Hosted by Dr. Alma Nalisha and Letlhogonolo Mokgoroane.

Girl Down Podcast

Hosted by Aeon, a Black trans woman in the DMV area, as she unpacks the uncertainty of her 30s one episode at a time. Aeon frames her experiences through a Black fat queer transfeminist lens.

Oroko Radio

A not-for-profit independent internet radio station based in Accra, Ghana that aims to connect, inspire and empower through conversation, collaboration and community.

Radio Caña Negra

Hosted by Janvieve Comrie, Dash Harris and Evelyn Alvarez who engage in critical conversation “with the sharpness of a machete and the sweetness of cane sugar” focused on Black Latin American experiences.

Tea with Queen + J

“Two womanist race nerds dismantling white supremacist patriarchal capitalism over tea!”

Ursa Short Fiction

A platform dedicated to celebrating outstanding short fiction, with an emphasis on spotlighting underrepresented voices.

FQ Crazy, Sexy & Cool Podcast

Hosted by three ballroom icons : Asia Snowden, Tabytha, & Tempress Gonzalez. The series centers the trans women experience covering from relationships to ballroom culture.

GATHERINGS + INITIATIVES

Black queer joy | @blackqueerjoy (instagram).

A platform dedicated to amplifying the joy of Black queer folks. Founded by Dalila Ali Rajah

Black Men Smile | @blackmensmile (Instagram)

An apparel and programming platform to amplify and celebrate the way Black men see themselves.

E.N.D. - Every Nigga Deserves | @everyniggadeserves (Instagram)

The name says it all.

Moyo Afrika

A digital platform created to showcase, empower and connect Africa to the world, Africans in Diaspora, our culture, lifestyle, entertainment and everything that keeps the heart of Africa beating.

UK Black Pride

Europe’s largest celebration for LGBTQI+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American and Middle Eastern descent. In additional to the annual event, they promote and advocate for the spiritual, emotional, and intellectual health and wellbeing of the communities they represent.

Black Joy Fest

Based in Oakland, CA is a hyper-positive non-profit founded by Elisha Greenwell. Created to unite the Black community, it celebrates the Black experience and community’s contribution to history and culture with its signature parade and celebration, partnerships and events.

Black Joy Parade

A festival that centers Black Joy, hosted by the Black Health Coalition and led by volunteers in Orlando, FL.

© 2024 Kleaver Cruz. All Rights Reserved

• Published Work
• TBJP: Press

7 Essays To Read This Week: Black Joy, God, And When You "Literally Can't Even"

This week, Alex Andreou wrote about caring for his mother with Alzheimer's for BuzzFeed Idea's Carers Issue. Read that and others from The New Inquiry , Hazlitt , The New Yorker , and more.

BuzzFeed Editorial Assistant

1. " Caring for My Mother With Alzheimer’s Gave Me the Best Birthday I Ever Had " — BuzzFeed Ideas

Alex Andreou's mother has Alzheimer's disease, which has robbed her of many memories of her son. On his 44th birthday, Andreou chose to celebrate with his mother by helping her remember his childhood and their time together. He wrote about the experience in a moving essay for BuzzFeed Ideas' Carers Issue. Read the piece at BuzzFeed Ideas .

2. " Summer Heat " — The New Inquiry

Mariame Kaba dreads summer. She explains why in a piece for The New Inquiry . Simply put, "It’s the season of hyper-surveillance and even more aggressive policing of young people of color in my neighborhood." In her essay, she touches on the recent McKinney pool party chaos, the Baltimore riots, and past police aggressions. Read it at The New Inquiry .

3. " What Do Muslim Women Need? " — Hazlitt

Growing up, Sarah Hagi rejected feminism because it didn't seem like something that included girls like her — black and Muslim. "Within mainstream feminism, the only time we seem to get attention is through the most extreme and rare stories ... honour killings, forced marriages, etc.," she writes in an essay for Hazlitt . "These things do happen, of course, but their pervasiveness in the discourse shows me we’ve been dehumanized; pawns in a political debate more than anything else." Read her piece at Hazlitt .

4. " How an Atheist Answered Her Daughter’s Question About God " — BuzzFeed Ideas

When you're an atheist, talking about God with your kid can be tricky. Prompted by her 9-year-old daughter's questions about God, Kate Cohen wrote about this conundrum, her own views on religion, and parenting. "The few books that offer advice to atheist parents counsel us not to be definitive. They tell us to let children decide for themselves what they do or do not believe," she writes. Read it at BuzzFeed Ideas .

5. " I Got Maced at Summer Jam 2015 " — The New Yorker

When Nicolas Niarchos arrived at Summer Jam 2015, he'd expected to watch Kendrick Lamar perform. What he didn't anticipate was getting maced by the police, who'd arrived in riot gear. He wrote about his firsthand experience with police brutality for The New Yorker . Read it here .

6. " When You ‘Literally Can’t Even’ Understand Your Teenager " — The New York Times Magazine

Amanda Hess wrote about the phenomenon that is "I can't even" slang, and what teens really mean. "Teenagers may not be able to drive or vote or stay out past curfew or use the bathroom during school hours without permission, but they can talk," Hess writes. "Their speech is the site of rebellion, and their slang provides shelter from adult scrutiny." Read her piece at The New York Times Magazine .

7. " Even Black Joy Is a Crime " — Dame Magazine

Racism runs deep. That much is evident in what happened to one black family, arrested for cheering at a high school graduation. Stacey Patton wrote a scathing condemnation of this recent event, touching on America's educational inequality and how little things have changed. Read it at Dame Magazine .

Want to read more? Here are some other essays BuzzFeed published this week.

Sarah Jones wrote about how TLC's fundamentalism-as-kitsch hurts women . Lucy McKeon recalled her brief career as a waitress dominatrix . Nell Zink explained why cultural significance is the best job ever . Mira Jacob documented and illustrated 37 difficult questions from her mixed-race son . Blanca Fernandez, a manicurist, explains why she's suing the salon where she worked for six years. Chelsea Martin wrote a funny essay about losing a tooth at work . Daniel Dalton wrote a hilarious guide to the 21st century for straight white men . And finally, for BuzzFeed UK's Carers Issue, professional carers and family members spoke honestly about the reality of what they do.

• United Kingdom

Fiction Books About Black Joy You Need To Read Now

11 fiction books about black joy you need to read now, more from books & art, r29 original series.

Account Login | Catalog Make a Gift

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Bucks County Free Library

Established 1956

20 Books That Celebrate Black Joy

February 1, 2022

As we begin Black History Month, we encourage you to pick up a book that centers and celebrates Black joy. On this list you’ll find a variety of books – romances, fantasies, adventures, memoirs and more – that highlight Black lives, communities and relationships.  

For even more titles, be sure to check our Black History Month shelf on cloudLibrary .

Books for Adults

The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin

A brilliant allegorical fantasy! Every city on earth has a soul – and New York City has five. When an ancient evil threatens to destroy New York City and its protectors, five New Yorkers from different walks of life will have to band together to defend themselves and their home.

The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country by Amanda Gorman

A beautifully printed version of Amanda Gorman’s stirring poem “The Hill We Climb,” which she delivered at President Biden’s inauguration. The Hill We Climb is an inspirational call for unity and a celebration of America’s promise.

Love in Color: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retold by Bolu Babalola

A perfect read for Valentine’s Day! This vivid collection of myths and folktales decolonizes love stories from various cultures and locations, including West Africa, the Middle East, ancient Greece and more.

Meals, Music and Muses: Recipes from My African American Kitchen by Alexander Smalls

Chef and world-renowned opera singer Alexander Smalls blends food and music. This book explores the foods that shaped the South and is filled with classic Southern recipes and unique twists on favorite dishes. Each chapter is named for a type of music and helps readers fully appreciate the spirit behind each recipe.

Popisho by Leone Ross

A magical-realism feast for the senses! This book is a love story and a vibrant portrait of a unique community. Each person on Popisho is born with a magical gift that manifests before adulthood. Xavier’s gift for food comes with a charge from the gods: to make each person on Popisho one perfect meal when the time is right. His long-lost love, Anise, has healing powers. But strange things start happening in Popisho, and soon Xavier discovers that change is in the air.   

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

A funny and pleasantly messy love story! Eva and Shane have both been dealt difficult hands in life, but they’ve achieved their dreams nonetheless. This book strikes a nice balance between serious topics – like disability and substance abuse – and sizzling romantic chemistry.

Wow, No Thank You: Essays by Samantha Irby

The laugh-out-loud essays in this book explore marriage, aging, and life in small-town American. A bonus: Samantha Irby also narrates the audiobook!

Books for Teens

Charming As a Verb by Ben Philippe

As a trusted dog walker, star debater and popular student at a prestigious academy, Henri can charm anyone. Except his classmate and neighbor Corinne, that is. When she discovers his not-so-honest dog-walking scheme, she blackmails him into helping her transform her image at their school.

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Inspired by Yoruba folklore! This book – the first in a three-part series – tells the tale of three teenagers who discover a way to return magic to their world. Although it depicts social injustice and mistreatment of Black Americans, Children of Blood and Bone is ultimately a story about strength and rebellion.  

Pride by Ibi Zoboi

A smart and witty retelling of Pride and Prejudice! When the wealthy Darcy family moves in across the street from Zuri Benitez, she initially spurns their two teenage sons – particularly the arrogant Darius. But her initial dislike of Darius soon blooms into an understanding, and maybe more.

Wings of Ebony by J. Elle

Half-human, half-god Rue is whisked away by her father to a hidden island of people who can use magic. The leaders there protect their magic at any cost and thrive on human suffering. Missing her sister, Rue escapes and returns home to to Houston, only to discover her sister and her neighborhood are in danger from the same evil that lurked on her father’s island.

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

The one place Emoni feels free of the responsibilities of life is the kitchen, where she adds a little bit of magic to everything she makes. Even though she lacks the free time to take her school’s new culinary arts class and can’t afford the class trip to Spain, she’ll still find a way to pursue her passion.

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

Liz’s plan to escape her small Midwestern town is to attend an elite college and someday become a doctor. When her financial aid unexpectedly evaporates, she turns to her school’s scholarship for the prom king and queen. But Liz doesn’t want to run for prom queen, especially with smart, funny Mack as her competition. After all, falling for Mack could keep Liz from pursuing her dreams.

Books for Children

Bedtime Bonnet by Nancy Redd

Reading age: 3 to 6

This picture book is a heartwarming look at Black nighttime hair traditions within a loving multi-generational family. Different kinds of hair and treatments are depicted, and it’s a sweet book to read together before bed.

Rocket Says Look Up! by Nathan Bryon

Reading age: 4 to 7

Space-obsessed Rocket wants everyone to see tonight’s comet with her – especially her big brother, Jamal. Rocket’s passion for science unites her neighbors and family to watch the comet together.

Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment by Parker and Jessica Curry

On a visit to the National Portrait Gallery, young Parker Curry’s life was changed forever when she looked up at the portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama. In the portrait, Parker saw possibility and promise for her own future. If you remember the viral picture taken of Parker Curry in front of Michelle Obama’s portrait, you’ll love this book!  

Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrews

A superb autobiography! This book introduces readers to Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, who got his nickname from playing a trombone twice as long as his height. A musical genius, Troy was leading his own band by age six and now works with some of the biggest names in music today.

Ways to Make Sunshine by Renee Watson

Reading age: 7 to 10

Ryan’s dad has a new job – which means the Hart family is moving into a new (old) house. Even when things don’t go as she would like, she knows how to make sunshine out of setbacks. If you loved the Ramona Quimby books as a child, try this book with your own kids!

Black Boy Joy edited by Kwame Mbalia

Reading age: 9 to 12

A book of pure magic. Seventeen acclaimed Black writers contributed to this collection, which is brimming with adventure, creativity and confidence. Best of all, it’s got something for everyone: stories, poems, and wonderfully illustrated comics.

Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks by Jason Reynolds

Reading age: 10 to 13

A walk home can take so many different directions! This funny novel told in ten blocks shows what happens between the school bell ringing at the end of the day and the opening of your front door. Together, the stories weave into a joyful portrait of the detours we sometimes take in life.

• Our Mission
• Library Jobs
• Suggest a Purchase
• U.S. Passport Service

224

COMMENTS

1. Black Joy: Resistance, Resilience and Reclamation

   Black Joy is an affirmation and an action that claims control where we can. It is not escapism or a way of avoiding reality. ... The overwhelmingly positive response to an essay written for The Washington Post on Black joy by podcast host Tracey Lewis-Giggetts led to the evolution of a timely collection of intimate, uplifting, and powerful ...

2. Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration

   With deeply personal and uplifting essays in the vein of Black Girls Rock, You Are Your Best Thing, and I Really Needed This Today, this is "a necessary testimony on the magic and beauty of our capacity to live and love fully and out loud" (Kerry Washington). When Tracey M. Lewis-Giggetts wrote an essay on Black joy for The Washington Post, she had no idea just how deeply it would resonate.

3. My daughter reminded me that black joy is a form of resistance

   My daughter reminded me that black joy is a form of resistance. (iStock) Perspective by Tracey Michae'l Lewis-Giggetts. June 19, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. EDT. The laughter that poured out of us that day ...

4. Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration

   Winner of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work - Instructional With deeply personal and uplifting essays in the vein of Black Girls Rock!, You Are Your Best Thing, and I Really Needed This Today, this is "a necessary testimony on the magic and beauty of our capacity to live and love fully and out loud" (Kerry Washington). When Tracey M. Lewis-Giggetts wrote an essay on Black ...

5. Black Joy

   A timely collection of deeply personal, uplifting, and powerful essays that celebrate the redemptive strength of Black joy—in the vein of. is a collection that will recharge you. It is the kind of book that is passed between friends and offers both challenge and comfort at the end of a long day. It is an answer for anyone who needs ...

6. Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration

   It is a collection of essays that focus on the Black Joy within America through the lens of one Black Woman's experience. The writing was transparent, vulnerable and honest. Trauma is expected and joy is hoped for in the Black community and finding ways to obtain joy through trauma seems impossible. This essay collection shows that Black Joy ...

7. Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration

   ISBN 9781982176556. A timely collection of deeply personal, uplifting, and powerful essays that celebrate the redemptive strength of Black joy—in the vein of Black Girls Rock, You Are Your Best Thing, and I Really Needed This Today. When Tracey M. Lewis-Giggetts wrote an essay on Black joy for The Washington Post, she had no idea just how ...

8. 'Black Joy': Lewis-Giggetts' new book argues Black joy is resistance

   In her new book "Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience and Restoration" (Gallery Books, 288 pp., ★★★ out of four, out Tuesday), Tracey Michae'l Lewis-Giggetts delivers a ...

9. Black Joy

   Black Joy is dedicated to expanding, stretching, and contributing to the overall definition of Blackness and Black Excellence. ... A collection of 25 essays examining the neuroses of white supremacy. Find Book Here. 308 Westwood Plz, #168 Los Angeles, CA 90095-8355 Facebook @uclabbrc.

10. The Boundlessness of Black Joy: Reshaping the Narrative

    The Boundlessness of Black Joy: Reshaping the Narrative. February 08, 2022. The Black experience in America is not a monolith. Traditionally, especially during Black History Month, we hear a ...

11. 'Black Joy' is a delightful celebration of Black Britishness

    Co-edited by Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff and Timi Sotire and published by Penguin, 'Black Joy' is a collection of essays that celebrates Black Britishness. Smart Shopper Tech Science Life Social Good ...

12. Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration

    When Tracey M. Lewis-Giggetts wrote an essay on Black joy for TheWashington Post, she had no idea just how deeply it would resonate. But the outpouring of positive responses affir

13. 9 Inspiring Memoirs That Celebrate Black Joy and Perseverance

    Book review website Goodreads recently compiled a list of 96 books on Black joy, which includes titles in fantasy, romance, science fiction, and essay collections. Here are nine memoirs by Black ...

14. We Need Black Joy More Than Ever—Here's Why

    Amid the coronavirus outbreak, these Verzuz battles were reminding me of how vital it is for black people to experience joy. It's a secret ingredient to black resilience, in my opinion. At the ...

15. What is Black Joy? Meet 10 People Who Exemplify It

    4) Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union's family. Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union and their family do not hold back from displaying Black joy across social media. To start, their 3-year-old daughter ...

16. Black Joy : Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration

    Winner of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work - Instructional With deeply personal and uplifting essays in the vein of Black Girls Rock!, You Are Your Best Thing, and I Really Needed This Today, this is "a necessary testimony on the magic and beauty of our capacity to live and love fully and out loud" (Kerry Washington).When Tracey M. Lewis-Giggetts wrote an essay on Black ...

17. On the sound of black joy

    WHYY celebrates Black History Month with Philly.com by publishing essays for their series Black History Untold: Joy, culminating in a live event at WHYY on Tuesday, Feb. 28.Convening African American community leaders, the program features networking over cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, live entertainment, and a panel discussion co-moderated by the Inquirer's Sofiya Ballin and WHYY's The ...

18. The Black Joy Project

    Featuring 117 full-color photos and eight breathtaking essays on a force that fuels Black life all around the globe. "In literature, there are some books that transcend mere pages and ink, becoming essential pieces of cultural expression. One such book poised to make its mark is The Black Joy Project…. This ambitious work breaks new ground."

19. Black Joy by Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff

    "Black joy is essential but difficult to define" (XI). "Black joy is a form of resistance & resilience"(XII) This is an anthology of essays by 28 black British minds centred around black joy, especially within British society. I love essays but don't read them nearly as much as I should. I enjoyed this collection so much.

20. Irenosen Okojie on 'black joy' and why we need it in our lives

    Author Irenosen Okojie says we need to make space for black culture to be celebrated. Listen to highlights from the Radio 3 Free Thinking festival in 2019 Originally published on 4 July 2019

21. 7 Essays To Read This Week: Black Joy, God, And When You "Literally Can

    7 Essays To Read This Week: Black Joy, God, And When You "Literally Can't Even". This week, Alex Andreou wrote about caring for his mother with Alzheimer's for BuzzFeed Idea's Carers Issue. Read that and others from The New Inquiry, Hazlitt, The New Yorker, and more. Susan Cheng. BuzzFeed Editorial Assistant. Posted on June 12, 2015, 10:58 am. 1.

22. 11 Fiction Books About Black Joy You Need To Read Now

    2 of 11. You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson. Liz Lighty has always believed she is too Black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed Midwestern town. But she ...

23. 20 Books That Celebrate Black Joy

    The laugh-out-loud essays in this book explore marriage, aging, and life in small-town American. A bonus: Samantha Irby also narrates the audiobook! Books for Teens. Charming As a Verb by Ben Philippe. ... Black Boy Joy edited by Kwame Mbalia. Reading age: 9 to 12. A book of pure magic. Seventeen acclaimed Black writers contributed to this ...

24. Kamala Harris is tapping into the Black Joy movement

    It's not just joy. Kamala Harris is tapping into an actual movement called "Black Joy." Led by artists and activists, this movement aims to create a joy "that no White man can steal."

• essay
• homework
• paper
• phd
• project
• resume
• review
• speech
• study