"...to be revisited again and again...The candy-colored pages and straightforward stories are hard to resist..." -The New York Times

"This is an essential book for inspiring even the tiniest children to face the world with boldness and self-belief' -The Observer

"A brilliant addition to the new wave of inspirational anthologies for girls and boys...stylishly illustrated... - no fake news here!" -HuffPost

"A luminous and diverse tribute to black movers and shakers across the centuries." -Publishers Weekly

Meet 52 icons of color from the past and present in this celebration of inspirational achievement-a collection of stories about changemakers to encourage, inspire and empower the next generation of changemakers. Jamia Wilson has carefully curated this range of black icons and the book is stylishly brought together by Andrea Pippins' colorful and celebratory illustrations. Written in the spirit of Nina Simone's song "To Be Young, Gifted, and Black," this vibrant book is a perfect introduction to both historic and present-day icons and heroes. Meet figureheads, leaders and pioneers such as Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and Rosa Parks, as well as cultural trailblazers and athletes like Stevie Wonder, Oprah Winfrey and Serena Williams. All children deserve to see themselves represented positively in the books they read. Highlighting the talent and contributions of black leaders and changemakers from around the world, readers of all backgrounds will be empowered to discover what they too can achieve. Strong, courageous, talented and diverse, these extraordinary men and women's achievements will inspire a new generation to chase their dream... whatever it may be.