By Sierra Ryan
February is Black History Month, so here is a list of movies, tv shows, songs and books celebrating black culture. Each recommendation is from genres such as comedy, drama, sci-fi, sketch, romance, and fantasy. The list aimed to include classic shows and movies from the 90s and some that are more contemporary. The books on this list feature black protagonists and are written by black authors. The stories range from fantasy to mystery.
Movies
“Akeelah and the Bee “
Genre: Drama
Akeelah (Keke Palmer) is an 11-year-old girl who learns that she has a talent for spelling. With the help of her mentor, she then enters the Scripps national spelling bee.
“Black Panther“
Genre: Action/Adventure
After his father’s death, T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns home to Wakanda to take his place as king. However, when an enemy shows up and tries to take his place, T’Challa must protect his home and his people.
“Last Holiday“
Genre: Romantic Comedy
When Georgia Byrd (Queen Latifah) learns she has a terminal illness, she decides to take her life savings and live out her last days in Europe.
“Rocks“
Genre: Drama/Coming of Age
A teenager named Olushola “Rocks” Omotoso (Bukky Bakray) has to care for her brother Emmanuel after their mother disappears, leaving behind a letter promising her return and some money.
“See You Yesterday“
Genre: Sci-fi/Drama
Two teenagers named CJ Walker (Eden Duncan-Smith) and Sebastian Thomas (Danté Crichlow) build a time machine to go back into the past to save Walker’s brother, who a racist police officer killed.
Tv Shows
“In Living Color“
Genre: Sketch Show
Created by Keenen Ivory Wayans, In Living Color starred different comedians who poked fun at pop culture, social and political issues.
“Abbot Elementary “
Genre: Comedy
Created and starring Quinta Brunson, Abbot Elementary follows a group of determined teachers and their principal working in an underfunded Philadelphia public school as they try to help their students while navigating their personal lives.
“One on One”
Genre: Comedy
Flex Washington (Flex Alexander) is a sportscaster and a single father whose daughter moves in with him when his ex-wife gets a job abroad.
“Insecure“
Genre: Comedy-Drama
Two best friends, Issa (Issa Rae) and Molly (Yvonne Orji), unpack the Black female experience as they navigate everyday life.
“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”
Genre: Sitcom
Will Smith (Will Smith) is a teenager who moves to Bel-Air to live with his aunt and uncle after he gets into a fight with some troublemakers.
Books
“This Poison Heart” by Kalynn Bayron
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy, LGBT
Briseis is a teenager who can grow plants by just touching the seeds. Briseis and her mom move to rural New York after her aunt dies, leaving them her estate. Hoping to learn how to control her ability, Briseis discovers she has a talent for making potions and runs afoul of a group that wants an immortality potion.
“Charming as a Verb” by Ben Philippe
Genre: Romance, Young Adult
Henri “Halti” Haltiwanger is a teenager who attends the prestigious fate academy in Manhantan’s Upper East Side. He is an ambitious, charming student who dreams of attending Columbia university. However, when his neighbor and classmate Corrine discovers his dog-walking business isn’t legitimate, she blackmails him into helping her change her image at school.
“Cinderella is Dead” by Kalynn Bayron
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, LGBT
Years after the Cinderella fairytale ended, girls across the land are now required to attend the ball to find a prince. But those who don’t are never heard again. Sophia Grimmins attempts to flee the ball to be with her best friend, Erin. But, after meeting a descendant of the stepsisters from the original fairytale, Grimmins teams up to take down the king.
“Take a Hint, Dani Brown: a Novel” by Talia Hibbert
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Danika Brown is a Ph.D. student who has given up on romance. After a video of her friend, Zafir Ansari, a rugby player turned security guard, saving her goes viral, they decide to fake date to save a children’s charity.
“The Other Black Girl” by Zakyia Dalila Harris
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Twenty-six-year-old Nella Rogers is tired of being the only black woman at her book publishing job. When a new coworker is hired, Nella starts receiving threatening messages and begins to suspect Hazel, the new black woman at the firm.
