Black girlhood in photos and writing

In 'Invisible Man,' Ralph Ellison tells the story of a nameless black protagonist who navigates the surreal and often hostile world of 20th-century America. The novel begins with the narrator living in an underground room, reflecting on his life and the various ways he has experienced social invisibility. He recounts his journey from a small Southern town to Harlem, involving experiences with racism, a brutal 'battle royal,' and his involvement with the Brotherhood, a civil rights group. The narrative delves into themes of identity, power, and the struggle for self-definition in a society that refuses to see him. Through his experiences, the narrator grapples with the complexities of being a black man in America, ultimately leading to a profound exploration of invisibility and the search for one's true self.

Black Nativity is Langston Hughes's adaptation of the Christmas Nativity story, performed by an entirely Black cast using gospel-style traditional carols and original songs. First premiered Off-Broadway in 1961, it features dramatic elements like barefoot singers in white robes, African drums for Mary's contractions, and a glowing star, blending dialogue, pantomime, and folk spirituals. The production toured Europe successfully and remains a thrilling holiday piece performed worldwide.

In these intimate, sometimes painfully frank poems, Andrew McMillan takes us back to boyhood and adolescence, exploring the messier, quieter moments of becoming—moments wrapped in sexuality, shame, desire, confusion, and discovery. From eating disorders and masturbation to circumcision and the loss of virginity, no subject feels off-limits, yet everything is handled with care and intention. The collection expands on his debut physical, praising the naivety of youth while examining intersections of violence, masculinity, class, and sexuality.