Between “American Fiction”, Cord Jefferson’s directorial debut, “The Color Purple”, “Rustin”, and “The Last Repair Shop” there is no shortage of award-winning (and award-worthy) Black cinema playing in theaters around Philadelphia and across the country right now.
While we honor these works of art in line with Black History Month, the impact and influence of distinctly Black stories deserve recognition year round. And, as most citizens of the 21st century know, movies are hardly the be-all and end-all of storytelling. This Black History Month, why not turn to recommendations directly from Metro Philadelphia’s Black Power Players list honorees?
Isabel Wilkerson is the most frequently recommended author by the Black Power Player honorees. She is the author of “The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration” and “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents”. The latter was recently adapted into the biographical drama, “Origin”, adapted and directed by another artist frequently recommended by honorees on the Black Power Players list, Ava DuVernay, the Academy Award-winning director of “13th”.
From Donald Generals of Philadelphia Community College to Errin Haines of The 19th to Sara Lomax of WURD Radio, many of the honorees gave their highest regards to both of Wilkerson’s books and the Duvernay adaptation.
Ernest Owens of the Ernest Media Empire recommended Wilkerson along with a host of other nonfiction and documentary suggestions. He said, “Read “Caste” by Isabel Wilkerson, watch “I Am Not Your Negro” directed by Raoul Peck, read “Legacy” by Dr. Uché Blackstock, watch “Kokomo City” by D. Smith, read “Four Hundred Souls” edited by Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain, [and] watch “South to Black Power” directed by Llewellyn M. Smith and Sam Pollard.”
In the wonderful world of fiction, Lorina Marshall Blake suggested “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store” by James McBride. She said, “The setting is Pottstown, Pennsylvania, so it has a lot of local culture. The book made me laugh and cry and I loved how it shows how diverse cultures can all live together.”
If you would rather make your own selections or prefer perusing the shelves and seeing what calls your name, the Black Power Player honorees offered exciting places to discover and engage with Black history.
Shawn Mooring, head of Philadelphia programs at the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, said, “I would definitely recommend folks check out Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books (5445 Germantown Ave., Phila., PA 19144) and Harriet’s Bookshop (258 E. Girard Ave., Phila., PA 19125) for books any time of the year! You will find wonderful gems in both establishments that will enlighten your mind and support our community. For movies, I would say check out cinéSPEAK (4300 Chester Ave., Phila., PA 19104) an independent minority owned movie house!”.
At either bookshop be sure to check out Lauren Footman’s excellent recommendation: “Sisters of the Yam: Black Women and Self Discovery” by bell hooks.
Recommendations are one thing, but with a list of such talented individuals, many of the Black Power Player honorees have created award winning projects of their own. James Ijames, Philadelphia-based Pulitzer Prize winning playwright and director, for instance, has penned and directed some of the most exciting contemporary theatre across the United States. His take on “Hamlet”, “Fat Ham”, premiered in a filmed production at the Wilma Theater in April 2021 and was staged there from December 2023 to January 2024. After its initial run in 2021, “Fat Ham” won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in drama and was nominated for five Tony Awards, including “Best Play” and “Best Direction of a Play”.
A documentary about The 19th, the independent nonprofit newsroom, called “Breaking the News” premieres February 19th on PBS, featuring Errin Haines, a Black Power Players honoree and the 19th’s editor-at-large. The documentary is about the early days of The 19th, their newsroom, and what it takes to sustainably combat misinformation.
February is by no means the only month to seek out Black stories and art, but it is often the case that the most inspiring leaders were once inspired themselves. The interviews and recommendations from the Black Power Player honorees reveal how a lifetime of different influences create an inspiring group of leaders across all industries
You can read more about each honoree and find all of their recommendations in Metro Philadelphia’s Black Power Players list.
