Through vibrant lyrical text, Black Artists Rock! The Cool Kids’ Guide A-Z is a celebration of the myriad of accomplishments by the best-of-the best and the coolest-of-the-cool Black artists of the twentieth century. Artfully curated, portrayals of extraordinary Black artists in music, literature, theater, film and much more highlight groundbreaking achievements, offering both little-known facts about household names (Duke Ellington, Maya Angelou, Quincy Jones), and key introductions to overlooked pioneers (Toni Cade Bambara, James Vanderzee, Faith Ringgold).

V IS FOR JAMES VANDERZEECREATING SILVER-TONED IMAGES OF GRACESHOWCASING LUXURIOUS FASHION AND CARSENJOYED BY HARLEM’S BLACK ELITE.

From early twentieth century tap dance phenoms like The Nicholas Brothers, to brilliant anthropologist and storyteller Zora Neale Hurston, Black Artists Rock! The Cool Kids’ Guide A-Z honors the African American creatives who followed their hearts, succeeded against all odds, and left legacies and works of art that will inspire countless generations to come.