Explore African American History & Culture

Discover recommended readings and historical resources about African American history, highlighting its impact over the centuries for audiences of all ages.

Historical Research & More

Explore the lives of influential African Americans using library resources, including scholarly biographies and more learning materials suitable for all ages.

Learn About these Famous African Americans with Your Library Card

Mae Jemisson

Engineer & former NASA astronaut

Neil Degrasse Tyson

Astrophysicist & author

James Baldwin

Writer & civil rights activist

Ella Baker

Civil rights & human rights activist

Bessie Coleman

Aviator

Muhammad Ali

Professional boxer

Frederick Douglass

Abolitionist, writer, & statesman

Madam C. J. Walker

Entrepreneur & philanthropist

Local African American History

Books, websites, and DVDS on African American history in our community and elsewhere in Virginia.

Databases for Research

Black Freedom Struggle in the United States

Find historical newspaper articles, diaries, and more marked by the opposition African Americans have faced on the road to freedom.

Gale in Context: Biography

Search for people by name, birth or death year, nationality, ethnicity, occupation, or gender.

Ancestry for Virginians

The Library of Virginia provides access to select collections and content through an agreement with Ancestry.com.

Black Freedom Struggle in the United States

Find historical newspaper articles, diaries, and more marked by the opposition African Americans have faced on the road to freedom.

Gale in Context: Biography

Search for people by name, birth or death year, nationality, ethnicity, occupation, or gender.

Ancestry for Virginians

The Library of Virginia provides access to select collections and content through an agreement with Ancestry.com.

A-Z Online Resources

The Civil War in the Rappahannock Region

Genealogy Research

2025-2026: The 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution

Reading Recommendations

From captivating fiction about sagas in history to nonfiction reads on impactful individuals and groups, there's a book for everyone.

African American Fiction

Fiction, from a wide array of genres, all written by and about African American people.

Adult Fiction

African American Romance

Engaging romance novels by and about African Americans.

My Librarian: Afrofuturism and Fantasy

Afrofuturism is a subgenre of science fiction that has been around since the 1990s but has risen to prominence lately.

Notable Diverse Scares

From historical horror to modern terror, these books and movies by diverse authors and directors will keep you on the edge of your seat.

New African American Fiction

Adult Nonfiction

New African American Nonfiction

CRRLAdults

African American Success Stories

CRRLAdults

African American Voices

CRRLAdults

The African American Experience in Nonfiction

CRRLAdults

New African American Nonfiction

Learning Resources & More for Youth

Explore databases, exciting reading recommendations, and a wealth of resources tailored specifically for children from Kindergarten to 12th Grade.

Movies & Documentary Film

Explore films that showcase fictional and nonfictional heroic stories and significant historical lessons. Use your library card to borrow or download a movie.

Explore African American History & Culture

Historical Research & More

Learn About these Famous African Americans with Your Library Card

Local African American History

Other Resources

Reading Recommendations

African American History Reading Recommendations

Learning Resources & More for Youth

Learn about African American Inventors

The African American Experience for Children & Teens

Movies & Documentary Film