AfriWare Books Website
  • Store
  • Events
  • Blog
  • SEARCH
  • AUTHOR INFORMATION
  • ARTIST BIO/PRICE
  • NNEDI OKORAFOR BOOKS
  • PODCAST
  • LARUE'S HAND IN CLAY
  • About Us
  • FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
  • BOOK FAIR /SCHOOLS / CLUBS
  • Photo Gallery
  • EJP BOOK DRIVE
  • Videos
  • Newsletter/Articles
  • Archives
  • External Links
  • Afriware Statement on COVID-19
  • GREATER LAKES
  • Afriware Merchandise
  • AFFILIATE INFO
  • SEBRON GRANT ART DESIGNS
  • Mother's Day Bundles
  • Welcome
  • CARTOON

Categories

All
Artist Interview
Black Boy
Black History Books For Kids
Book Lists
Book Reviews
Irving Bunton Page
Journals
NATURAL HAIR
Reading List
TOURISM

Archives

October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
June 2022
May 2022
March 2022
January 2022
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
January 2016
December 2015
June 2015
August 2014

BOOKS ON BLACK INVENTORS AND SCIENTISTS

5/23/2022

 
Picture
​A lighthouse of achievement can be found in the inventions and scientific discoveries of Africans worldwide. Reflecting on cultural milestones helps to drown out the predictable rhetoric otherwise.  When I found out that a Black woman named Sarah Boone invented the ironing board, I-was-done.  I was done with any attempts by mainstream media to undermine our achievements;  I was done with our historical contributions strategically left out of textbooks.   

The curated book list presented here will be a dynamic one.  There have been many books over the years that have unfortunately come and gone on the topic.  It is the very reason that I caution customers to grab a book sooner than later if it is “calling” them.  Those who enjoyed browsing the shelves at Afriware Books, Co pre-COVID miss this informal ritual most when shopping for books in-store.  Unlike browsing online, the in-store experience comes with the added bonus of a deeply personal exchange where a book will almost “call your name.”     For reasons unknown, I’ve noticed that the inventions and scientific discoveries category has one of the highest rates of books abruptly going in then out of print or circulation.  
Picture
Books List on Black Inventors and Scientists
  1. What Color Is My World?: The Lost History of African-American Inventors
  2. Black People Invented Everything: The Deep History of Indigenous Creativity
    Groundbreaking Scientists
  3. 101 Black Inventors and their Inventions
  4. African American Achievers in Science, Medicine, and Technology: A Resource Book for Young Learners, Parents, Teachers, and Librarians
  5. Black Inventors: 15 Inventions That Changed the World
  6. "A Friend to All Mankind": Mrs. Annie Turnbo Malone and Poro College
  7. Scientists, Healers, and Inventors: An Introduction for Young Readers (First)
  8. Sisters in Science: Conversations with Black Women Scientists about Race, Gender, and Their Passion for Science

Picture
​Sigh, the previous paragraph has triggered the conspiracy theory part of me which I'll indulge for only a few sentences, I promise.  While I don’t think it serves our best interests to belabor unproven theories that aren’t empowering, I do think it is important to make a note and keep it in our back pocket to check occasionally in case there’s a need to adjust our forward march to freedom and liberation.  Sometimes, I can’t help but think that the reason it is uncommonly hard to find and keep these titles in print is because of the intellectually impacting potency of the  content presented making it almost dangerous to reveal on a steady-state basis.  This category of books represents the crowning glory of our culture. I always believe that we've been educated about our accomplishments, we will instantaneously transform from a walking dead state back to back to life.  It sits squarely with the idea (paraphrasing Malcolm X) that if you think you never did anything, then you can never do anything.  When the truth is out, eyes become wide open and our decisions are better informed and strategic…

But I digress…
Picture
My greater point is that our inventions and scientific discoveries have shaped the world as we know it.  Awareness of this is fortifying to our resolve to push forward despite what we may see in the media.  I was happy to see a book released called, “Black People Invented Everything” by Dr. Sujan Kumar Dass after a prolonged pause in the publishing industry.  The last comprehensive work that was published on the topic was in 2013 with one for adults and one for children, namely “Scientists, Healers, and Inventors: An Introduction for Young Readers (First),” and, “What Color Is My World?: The Lost History of African-American Inventors” respectively.  This is stark raving unacceptable to me because of the potentially life changing impact it could have on young people. For a list of STEM books for young people, I refer you to my blog prior to this one called, "STEM for Black Students." 
​In ”Black People Invented Everything," the reader is inundated with inventions in all categories including science, technology, agriculture, medicine, manufacturing, business, language, mining, sports and much more.  In the author’s words, the book  “touches on so much, and offers so many paths for further discussion and explorations, it could spark conversations for decades to come.  Telling these stories, telling the original history, can change our present and our future deeply.“  The pictures sprinkled throughout lend credibility to what could be thought of as far fetched or exaggerated.  The cover alone draws pause for proud reflection with its ancient sculpture rich content.
As always, if you’d like to know more, I encourage you to read for yourself and come to your own conclusions.  All titles mentioned in this post are available from Afriware Books, Co, a Black-owned bookstore.  If you do not find the title on the site, please feel free to email us at afriwarebooks@afriwarebooks.com

Comments are closed.

    AUDIOBOOKS

    Picture

    MERCH

    Picture

    GIFTS

    Picture

    ​join email list

    Picture

    ACADEMIC BOOKS

    Picture
    Picture

    blog Author/
    ​EDITOR

    My name is Nzingha Nommo,  I've been in business since 1993 as owner/Founder of Afriware Books, Co.  Thought I could share a few things I learned from my journey.  I also dabble in veganism, natural hair and other odds and ends.  Learn more on our About Us page.

    Archives

    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    January 2016
    December 2015
    June 2015
    August 2014

    Categories

    All
    Artist Interview
    Black Boy
    Black History Books For Kids
    Book Lists
    Book Reviews
    Irving Bunton Page
    Journals
    NATURAL HAIR
    Reading List
    TOURISM

    RSS Feed

​AFRIWARE BOOKS CO. A COMMUNITY BOOKSTORE SERVING:



Berkely, IL
Brookfield, IL
Elmwood Park, IL

Franklin Park, IL
Hillside, IL



Maywood, IL
Belwood, IL
Broadview, IL

​River Grove, IL
​Westchester, IL

Oak Park, IL
​Forest Park, IL
Austin, Chicago, IL


Melrose Park, IL
​River Forest, IL
​

Global Communities online

AFRIWARE HOME PAGE
SEARCH OUR SITE
JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

SEARCH | About Us | Blog |  FAQ |  Podcast |  Return Policy |  Shipping Policy | Donation

AFRIWARE BOOKS, CO,
1701 S. 1ST AVE., SUITE 400,
MAYWOOD, IL 60153
​708-223-8081


Holiday Hours:  Thurs-Fri. 12-6pm
​Sat. 12-5pm
(Face Masks Requested)
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
afriwarebooks@afriwarebooks.com
Want to try a great website builder, try Weebly at:  https://www.weebly.com/r/9SAD4V
  • Store
  • Events
  • Blog
  • SEARCH
  • AUTHOR INFORMATION
  • ARTIST BIO/PRICE
  • NNEDI OKORAFOR BOOKS
  • PODCAST
  • LARUE'S HAND IN CLAY
  • About Us
  • FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
  • BOOK FAIR /SCHOOLS / CLUBS
  • Photo Gallery
  • EJP BOOK DRIVE
  • Videos
  • Newsletter/Articles
  • Archives
  • External Links
  • Afriware Statement on COVID-19
  • GREATER LAKES
  • Afriware Merchandise
  • AFFILIATE INFO
  • SEBRON GRANT ART DESIGNS
  • Mother's Day Bundles
  • Welcome
  • CARTOON