Parenting can be difficult, and there’s no doubt about that. One of the major challenges Black parents face is accessing complete resources that address their uniqueness and provide the right resources for raising their kids confidently. We understand this, so we’ve compiled a list of some of the best parenting books by Black authors to help make the experience a little less daunting.
These books offer insight and advice from experienced parents who share your cultural background, so you can feel confident that you’re on the right track. They will help you understand the challenges of being a black parent, how to overcome them and raise your kids confidently with love.
Read These 7 Best Parenting Books by Black Authors
The Black Parenting Book: Caring for Our Children in the First Five Years by Anne C. Beal
Anne tackles issues overlooked in most parenting books by combining pediatric expertise, cultural wisdom, insights from leading experts, the most recent research, and stories and advice from black parents across the country. The Black Parenting Book explores all aspects of a child’s early life–including sleep, nutrition, discipline, play, medical treatments, hair and body care, spirituality and education, race, and more.
Saving Our Sons: Raising Black Children in a Turbulent World by Marita Golden
Saving Our Sons is a parenting book that provides tips and advice on parenting Black teen boys and improving Black family health and relationships. The book explores Black boys’ difficult road to adulthood in the U.S. and why single Black mothers are often wrongly blamed for their son’s actions. It also covers the injustices Black children face in the U.S. and the importance of community for the success of Black teen boys.
Parenting for Liberation: A Guide for Raising Black Children by Trina Greene Brown
Parenting for Liberation is one of the best parenting books by Black authors. In a world of racialized violence against Black people, Trina Greene guides Black parents on how to raise fierce, fearless, joyful children and walk with a child through tumultuous times.
The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation by Anna Malaika Tubbs
In her groundbreaking debut, “The Three Mothers,” Anna celebrates black motherhood by telling the story of the three women who used their strength and motherhood to raise and shape some of America’s most pivotal heroes. This parenting book is an inspiration to all Black mothers providing a conviction that every human deserves dignity and respect despite the rampant discrimination they face.
Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender, and Parenting in America by Nefertiti Austin
Motherhood So White is a must-read for all mothers, most especially for a single Black mother who is adopting. Nefertiti Austin chronicles her parenting journey, starting a family through adoption as a single Black woman. She explores stereotypes of single Black moms and confronts the reality of what it looks like to raise children of color in a world where the face of motherhood is overwhelmingly white.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
This book is a classic coming-of-age story about a young black girl growing up in the South during the 1930s and 1940s. Maya chronicles her struggles with racism, poverty, and abuse, as well as her triumphs. Such as becoming the first African American female cable car conductor in San Francisco.
Fatherless Fathering: A Practical Guide for Men and Women Who Lacked the Benefit of Being Properly Raised by a Father by Jay Cameron
Suppose you grew up in a broken family and wonder if you can be the father or mother your children need. Jay’s Fatherless Fathering has all the answers. Jay provides a comprehensive guide to help you discover your true identity, develop successful parenting skills, and teaches you to apply wisdom to your life choices and your parenting style.
These parenting books by Black Authors are important for all parents, but most especially for Black parents who want to help their children navigate a world that can be hostile to them.
So what are you waiting for? Pick up one of these books today and start parenting with confidence.