#NNPA BlackPress

Affirming Black Children Through Books: Stories That Help Them See Their Light

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — I spent my earliest years as an educator searching for books that reflected my students’ experiences; I wanted to introduce them to books that reflected not just the colors of their skin, but also the textures of their lives.

Published

9 months ago

October 27, 2025

Oakland Post

By Aundrea Tabbs-Smith, Emotional Well-being Literacy and Curriculum Coordinator, Friends Center for Children

I spent my earliest years as an educator searching for books that reflected my students’ experiences; I wanted to introduce them to books that reflected not just the colors of their skin, but also the textures of their lives. I wanted them to see themselves as I saw them: loved, powerful, and full of potential. Too often, those stories were missing from the shelves.

As the Emotional Well-being Literacy and Curriculum Coordinator at Friends Center for Children in New Haven, Conn., I lead programming for the organization’s new Books with Friends Trolley – a mobile library that provides professional development and age- and culturally-appropriate books to family- and center-based childcare providers across New Haven. I spend my days working with young children, teaching them to name their feelings, build confidence, and understand that every part of who they are deserves to be celebrated. Books are one of our best tools to do that work. When a child hears a story that reflects their truth, something shifts fundamentally. They feel seen. Their eyes light up, their shoulders relax, and their minds open to the possibilities that await them. Below are just a few of my favorite affirming books for Black children, which will help them build that sense of belonging and possibility from their earliest moments.

Homemade Love by bell hooks

Appropriate for ages birth through 3-years-old

The celebrated poet and feminist thinker bell hooks teamed up with illustrator Shane W. Evans to create a lyrical, love-soaked board book that reminds children that they are loved, cherished and supported, even when they make mistakes or feel afraid.

I love this book because it’s a gentle affirmation of unconditional love, perfect for bedtime or any moment a child needs reassurance. The text is simple yet lyrical, filled with affectionate nicknames and rhythmic phrasing that makes it perfect for reading aloud. This book is a tender anthem for secure attachment, which is something every young child needs to thrive.

Bedtime Bonnet by Nancy Redd

Appropriate for 2- through 6-years-old

This joyful tribute to family is the first picture book to shine a light on nighttime hair rituals for Black people, an experience familiar to many young girls who’ve misplaced their bonnet before bed. Bedtime Bonnet offers a tender glimpse into cherished hair care traditions and honors the deep bonds shared across generations in a loving, close-knit Black family.

This book showcases the importance of hair care in Black culture, making it both relatable and educational. It also reinforces the idea that these small acts are part of a shared experience. For any child with a nighttime hair routine, it’s a validating and joyful reflection of their lives.

I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes

Appropriate for 3- through 8-years-old

The bold and self-assured narrator in this story dreams big and embraces every part of who he is. He is imaginative, daring, intelligent, humorous, and loyal. He stumbles at times, but when the fear creeps in, he never stops showing the world his true self. This book is powerful because it centers a confident young Black boy who celebrates his identity, dreams, and resilience. It offers a counter-narrative to stereotypes, showing Black children as joyful, brilliant, and full of promise. And the prose is beautiful, rhythmic and bold; this reads like a spoken word poem.

Jayden’s Impossible Garden by Mélina Mangal

Appropriate for 4- through 9-years-old

Jayden finds beauty and life all around him in the city, from squirrels foraging to cardinals singing and dandelions blooming. But when his mom isn’t convinced that nature exists in such a busy place, Jayden is determined to change her mind. Jayden teams up with his friend Mr. Curtis to start a community garden. As the garden grows, so does a sense of connection among neighbors, and soon his mom begins to see the wonder of nature through Jayden’s eyes. This book gently challenges the idea that nature only exists in rural spaces. It shows how even in a bustling city, life flourishes. It inspires young readers to notice and care for the natural world around them, wherever they live.

Emotional well-being starts early and is built on the foundations of connection, reflection and love. When we read stories that affirm who children are, we teach them pride, compassion and belonging. These books aren’t just stories; they’re tools for building identity and healing. Some of my most powerful experiences working with young children have been reading to children who see themselves in a book for the first time, smiling as someone whispers, “That looks like me.”

Aundrea Tabbs-Smith is the emotional well-being literacy and curriculum coordinator at Friends Center for Children in New Haven. She’s also the author of Never Too Much and For the Quiet Black Girl: Trying to Find Her Voice in a Predominately White Space.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

D.C. Shooting Shakes Up Howard University Homecoming

Don't Miss

The Clash: Museum Advocates vs. the Smithsonian Board of Regents

Oakland Post

Click to comment

#NNPA BlackPress

Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park

ATLANTA VOICE — A mural depicting late journalist Jovita Moore, painted on the exterior wall of a building now occupied by Bellwood Coffee in Grant Park, was painted over in April. Moore passed away in 2021 after decades of working in Atlanta television news. Bellwood Coffee owners stated in May they were unaware of Moore’s identity or significance to the community before painting over the mural.
The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

At the corner of Boulevard, SE. and Rosalia St., SE., directly across the street from an abandoned home and a Methodist Church, is Bellwood Coffee. One of hundreds of coffee shops in Atlanta, this place of business would not be worth a solitary discussion if not for the way its exterior walls are currently painted. There was once a mural depicting the late Jovita Moore, a beloved journalist who worked in Atlanta for decades. Moore, who passed away in 2021, mentored many of the people you see on television newscasts today. Though her legacy will never be forgotten, it was the mural of her image that was erased.

In April, members of the Grant Park community voiced their disgust at the mural, which graced a side wall of the building now occupied by Bellwood Coffee’s Grant Park location, before it was painted over. In its place are the words “Bellwood Coffee; Cocktails, Biscuits, Dry Goods, Air Conditioning. *Heat Too”. In May, the business owners responded to the community pushback on social media by acknowledging they did not know who Moore was before painting over her image. And later admitted that they did not attempt to find out what she meant to the community.

On May 21, the Bellwood Coffee Instagram account had a post about being “in close contact with Jovita’s family and are actively working on next steps in this process.” Two months later, the mural has not been replaced, repainted, or repositioned on the property. Nothing has been done. Black history is often erased, most recently by the current Presidential administration, but oftentimes on a smaller, quieter scale. The mural was originally painted by muralist Tommy Bronx, who had been in contact with the business owners about repainting it. As of July 6, Tommy Bronx had responded to a direct message via his Instagram account from The Atlanta Voice about any updates on his plans to repaint the mural.

“We’re currently working on it. You should see some movement in the weeks to come,” he wrote in a response.

On Monday, July 6, the business had several patrons inside and was running smoothly with three employees manning the counter. The Atlanta Voice dropped by Bellwood Coffee to get a look at the exterior wall where the mural once stood as a memorial to a journalist and mother who lost her life to brain cancer at the young age of 54. Moore’s image added some color to the block. The grey wall in its place does not.

A direct message was sent to the Bellwood Coffee Instagram account, and there hasn’t been a response as of 7 p.m. on Monday.

The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

Based on reporting by Atlanta Voice.

The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator

ATLANTA DAILY WORLD — A New York man faces felony hate crime charges for allegedly posting a threat against New York State Senator Lea Webb. James A. Crosby, 49, of Binghamton, was arrested by New York State Police after investigators determined he posted a threatening comment on a social media news post about a Juneteenth celebration.
The post ‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

A New York man is facing felony hate crime charges after allegedly posting that he’d be “proud to hang” New York State Senator Lea Webb from a tree in response to a news story about a Juneteenth celebration.

James A. Crosby, 49, of Binghamton, was arrested June 23 by New York State Police after investigators determined he posted a threatening comment on a WBNG 12 News Facebook post. “I’d be proud to hang her from a tree,” Crosby wrote, according to WBNG.

Crosby was charged with making a terroristic threat as a hate crime, a class C felony, per the New York State Police. He is currently being held at Broome County Jail.

During the subsequent investigation, state police found Crosby was in illegal possession of firearms despite being prohibited from owning them due to a prior felony conviction. Investigators recovered a rifle, a large-capacity ammunition feeding device, and a firearm suppressor — all prohibited under New York state law, per the NYSP.

Crosby was charged with four additional counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, all class D felonies.

Webb, who represents New York’s 52nd Senate District, had been a featured speaker at a Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony at Binghamton City Hall, where the celebration included prayers and the singing of the Black national anthem.

Police said Crosby’s comment was posted in response to a WBNG news story covering the event.

The day before his arrest, Crosby posted a Facebook apology claiming the comment “was not intended to be racial in any way” and was made in reference to what he described as a “criminal,” citing criticism of Webb over her use of nonprofit legal aid in a foreclosure case — a matter state watchdogs said created an appearance of a conflict of interest, per the Ithaca Voice. He was arrested the following day.

Webb issued a public statement June 25 condemning the threat.

“It was extremely disappointing and hurtful to see the now-deleted threat and attacks on my life in response to a story about Juneteenth, a national holiday that recognizes the ending of slavery in America,” she said. “Feedback and thoughts on policy are one thing, but to make a public call for lethal violence is absolutely unacceptable and dangerous. We must recognize our shared humanity and reject violence in all forms.”

She thanked Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and law enforcement for their “swift response.”

Following Crosby’s comments, social media users called for a boycott of his contracting business, Crosby Home Improvements.

The Binghamton City Democratic Committee also called for an investigation into the incident before his arrest.

The Black Information Network is your source for Black News! Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HEREto tune in live.

The post ‘Proud to hang her from a tree’: Man arrested for threatening Black Senator appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

Based on reporting by Atlanta Daily World.

The post ‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations

NEW YORK CARIB NEWS — Outgoing CARICOM Chairman Terrance Drew called on regional leaders to build a stronger and more effective Caribbean Community that benefits future generations. Speaking at the 51st Regular Meeting, Drew urged modernization of governance structures and improved implementation of Community decisions to make CARICOM safer and more prosperous.
The post CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

Speaking Sunday at the opening of the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in Saint Lucia, Dr. Terrance Drew said the region must modernize its governance structures, improve the implementation of Community decisions, and ensure CARICOM becomes safer, more prosperous, and more relevant to the lives of its citizens.

The meeting, being held under the theme “CARICOM: From Resilience to Renewal in a Changing World,” coincides with the Community’s 53rd anniversary. During the ceremony, Dr. Drew formally handed over the rotating CARICOM chairmanship to Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre.

Reflecting on his six-month tenure as chairman, Drew praised fellow regional leaders for maintaining their commitment to democracy, good governance, unity, and the rule of law despite mounting global economic and geopolitical challenges.

“Throughout these challenges, CARICOM chose engagement over isolation. Together, we reaffirmed our commitment to a fair and rules-based international trading system and ensured that the interests of small developing states continued to be heard.”
Trending
2021 Mercedes Benz AMG GT Roadster/Convertible and POV Test Drive

He highlighted progress made in strengthening the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, including deeper trade cooperation, expanded labour mobility, and efforts to lay the foundation for long-term economic growth. Drew also noted the Community’s growing partnerships beyond the Caribbean, particularly with the African Union, while stressing that every international partnership should advance the interests of all parties involved.

The outgoing chairman also expressed appreciation to Dr. Carla Barnett and the CARICOM Secretariat for their professionalism and unwavering support during his tenure.

“Whenever I called, you answered. Whenever support was required, you and your team responded with diligence, competence, and excellence.”

Dr. Drew urged the Secretariat to continue preserving its impartiality while faithfully implementing decisions made by Heads of Government, saying that balance has helped strengthen the regional integration movement.

The conference continues in Saint Lucia with regional leaders expected to deliberate on key issues including regional security, climate resilience, trade, economic integration, food security, Haiti, reparations, and strengthening the CSME.

Based on reporting by New York Carib News.

The post CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations appeared first on BlackPressUSA.