The Dyckman Farmhouse Museum celebrates Black History Month as a way to continue to bring awareness to the importance of the history and contributions of Black Americans. As a museum, it is important to acknowledge and highlight the silenced histories to create an inclusive historical narrative for our visitors and community.
Through our DyckmanDISCOVERED initiative, we have conducted extensive research on the lives of Francis Cudjoe, Hannah, Harry and Will, who were enslaved and free workers on Dyckman property. Despite little to no records and primary sources available, we have come to know many Black members of the household through details describing their attributes and daily livelihood.
As we gather their stories, we are developing a reinterpretation plan for the house to center the focus around all those who lived and worked on the farm. We are proud to be a part of a diverse community that supports our commitment to move the community and American history forward.
We’d like you to join us in empowering Black Americans through reading and listening to Black voices. We’re sharing a compilation of our favorite reads, book clubs, podcasts, and music. 🎵
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Save this post as a resource guide, and comment your recommendations to build our lists! 📖
BOOKS
FOUR HUNDRED SOULS
Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain
THE CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE
Tomi Adeyemi
CITIZEN
Claudia Rankine
AFTERSHOCKS
Nadia Owusu
HOW WE SHOW UP
Mia Birdsong
BOOKS (continued)
BETWEEN THE WORLD AND ME
Ta-Nehisi Coates
STAMPED FROM THE BEGINNING
Ibram X. Kendi
THE FIRE NEXT TIME
James Baldwin
THE BLUEST EYE
Toni Morrison
JUST MERCY
Bryan Stevenson
BOOK CLUBS
NONAME BOOK CLUB
An online/irl community dedicated to uplifting POC voices, founded by rapper and poet Noname.
www.nonamebooks.com
SMART BROWN GIRL
An empowering platform that pairs texts with historiographical component, and hosts live online group discussions.
www.smartbrowngirl.com
BOOK CLUBS (continued)
WELL-READ BLACK GIRL
Book club selections for YA and adults. Founder Glory Edim published a collection of essays by Black women writers!
www.wellreadblackgirl.com
LEVAR BURTON READS
A podcast hosted by LeVar Burton, telling numerous short fiction stories!
www.levarburtonpodcast.com
PODCASTS
Code Switch (from NPR)
Hosted by journalists of color, Code Switch explores the subject of race and its impact on society.
www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch
Irresistible/Healing Justice
A community dedicated to the practice in collective healing and social change.
www.irresistible.org
PODCASTS (continued)
THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN SLAVERY
Exploring how the institution of Slavery came to shape our country’s politics, economy, and culture.
https://slate.com/podcasts/history-of-american-slavery
LARRY WILMORE:BLACK ON THE AIR
Emmy Award winning producer, actor, and comedian Larry Wilmore is joined by guests on a podcast discussing issues of the week.
www.thelarrywilmore.com
THE PLAYLIST
STAND BY ME
Ben E. King
A CHANGE IS GONNA COME
Sam Cooke
DAMAGE
H.E.R.
LOVE AND HAPPINESS
Al Green
MIDNIGHT TRAIN TO GEORGIA
Gladys Knight & The Pips
WAIT A MINUTE!
WILLOW
COME HOME (FT. ANDRÉ 3000)
Anderson Paak
YOUR LOVE KEEPS LIFTING ME HIGHER AND HIGHER
Jackie Wilson
BROKEN CLOCKS
SZA
LOVIN’ YOU
Minnie Riperton
LOVELY DAY
Bill Withers
GOLDEN
Jill Scott
YOU DON’T KNOW MY NAME
Alicia Keys
JUST FINE
Mary J. Blige
ANOTHER SAD LOVE SONG
Toni Braxton
911 / MR. LONELY (FT. STEVE LACY & FRANK OCEAN)
Tyler, the Creator
DARK RED
Steve Lacy
ON & ON
Erykah Bad