African American History

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

Engineer & former NASA astronaut

Astrophysicist & author

Writer & civil rights activist

 Civil rights & human rights activist

Aviator

 Professional boxer

Abolitionist, writer, & statesman

Entrepreneur & philanthropist

Local African American History

Local African American History

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

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.

Other Resources

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 History Reading Recommendations

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.

Adult 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.

Learn about African American Inventors

The African American Experience for Children & Teens

Our Stories: The African American Experience for Children

Experience the brave and inspiring voices through these African American books for children up to grade 6.

Our Stories: The African American Experience for Teens

Experience the brave and inspiring voices of African Americans through these African American books for young adults.

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.

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