Recent Works from Black Authors We Follow
As you know, we’ve got books on our minds!
In celebration of Black History Month, we want to highlight recent works by Black authors we follow, several of them in the Women Talk Design community.
Whether you’re interested in improving customer experiences or learning how people across America are working to create real positive change in our structures, we encourage you to check out these books.
Learn more. ⤵️
📚 Be a Revolution – Ijeoma Oluo
“With Be A Revolution: How Everyday People are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World—and How You Can, Too, Oluo aims to show how people across America are working to create real positive change in our structures. Looking at many of our most powerful systems—like education, media, labor, health, housing, policing, and more—she highlights what people are doing to create change for intersectional racial equity. She also illustrates various ways in which the reader can find entryways into change in these same areas, or can bring some of this important work being done elsewhere to where they live.
This book aims to not only be educational but to inspire action and change. Oluo wishes to take our conversations on race and racism out of a place of pure pain and trauma, and into a place of loving action. Be A Revolution is both an urgent chronicle of this important moment in history, as well as an inspiring and restorative call for action.” — from goodreads
📚 White Supremacy is All Around – Dr. Akilah Cadet
“This is the story of how I became an unapologetic Black disabled woman in a white world. This book is for people who look and live structurally like me to be valued, seen, heard, and perhaps some advice on how to navigate life amongst white supremacy. This book is also for white people who have been “doing the work” since the murder of George Floyd to read my story and be able to clearly see systemic oppression, racism, and ableism. There are books sharing the historical context of white supremacy, providing tips on how to be an ally or anti-racist, and firsthand experiences from Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) which are important. I push the conversation that leads to real change through my story. This book is for the Black woman who is looking to be seen and soft in shared lived experience. It is for the white person who is immersing themselves in the community they want to advocate for. It is for anyone who understands that learning and unlearning is lifelong.” — from Dr. Akilah’s website
📚 Design for Identity – Jessica Bantom
“Design is an expression, a service, an act of creativity. But if designers design for everyone, how can there be so little diversity in the profession? In this book, Jessica Bantom examines the implications of design in everyday life, from spaces and products to images and the fashion industry. Too often design concepts are based on assumptions and stereotypes that don’t necessarily reflect customers’ lives and values. Certain company symbols and brands, such as the image of Aunt Jemima, have stirred controversy for years but only recently has there been a corporate social awakening. The demographics of our society are changing and becoming more diverse, yet different perspectives are often ignored unless there’s fallout from public backlash. Bantom explores the concept of human-centered design that taps into an understanding of identity: how people live, what’s important to them, and what informs their perspectives and experiences. Engaging directly with customers to identify their challenges and working with them to test ideas and solutions is the foundation of human-centered design. It’s vital for businesses to get on board and change outdated mindsets if they want to be successful. Bantom explains the six habits of culturally competent designers that can make this shift happen, and result in design solutions that resonate with people of diverse backgrounds. She offers a Design for Identity Blueprint that honors humanity, celebrates diversity, promotes equity and inclusion, and ensures that the design profession mirrors and keeps up with the realities of our evolving world.” — from Jessica’s website
“On February 16, 2024, Triumph in the Trenches, an anthology featuring 26 Black Professionals with deep experience in Corporate America. Each expert shares a story from the workplace where they have been forced to overcome almost insurmountable circumstances.
These stories will uplift, inspire, and motivate you to keep pushing even when times are the most difficult. Learn from the life lessons of experienced Black professionals who have handled situations you might find yourself in effectively and courageously.” — from Delia’s website
📚 Today is the Perfect Day to Improve Customer Experiences – Lisa D. Dance
“This e-book addresses the biggest problem in business that people aren’t talking about… how customer experiences enabled by technology can go absurdly wrong, costing time, money, and the goodwill of customers and employees. It includes a collection of visually compelling true stories of customer experiences gone ridiculously wrong that serve as a wake-up call to organizations’ relying on ill-conceived and poorly executed technology.
Stories from various industries including banking, healthcare, retail, cable, electricity, and government along with tools to help you improve your customer experiences. Released January 24, 2024.” — from Lisa’s website
Thank you to all of the Black speakers who share your voice, perspective, and talents with the world.
Are you a Black author with an upcoming or recently released book? Let us know so we can amplify it!
