With Black History Month coming to a close, we wanted to recognize some influential Black writers, poets, and authors who have influenced writing and civil rights to this day. Throughout this month, I have researched and explored several of these people. The list goes on and on, but for the purposes of this article, I am going to be discussing a few writers who I found that really resonated with me.
Phillis Wheatley
(1753–1784)
Phillis Wheatley broke barriers as an enslaved woman who, through her determination and diligence, became one of the most well known and influential poets of pre 19th century America. Being captured and sold into slavery from a young age, Wheatley grew up with almost no opportunity to grow as a writer. However, she did manage to learn to read and write, and this exposure opened her eyes to the beauty of literature from a young age. Wheatley made history as the first Black person to publish a book of poems, and the second woman to do so.
Toni Morrison
(1931-2018)
In 1933, Morrison received the Nobel Prize in Literature. She became the first African American woman to do so. Additionally, she was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her influential work. Morrison’s pieces focused on the experiences of Black people in America, specifically Black women. Morrison focused her pieces around a central theme of unjust society and how her characters fought with the discrimination they experienced. She lives on through the Toni Morrison Foundation (which I greatly encourage you to check out!)
James Weldon Johnson
(1871-1938)
Johnson was a poet and author. Aside from his literary work, Johnson was passionate about civil rights and his work was not only influential to American culture, but also opened many White Americans' eyes to the true experiences of Black people. On a policy level, Johnson advocated for the rights of Black Americans, and at one point acted as the head of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) (Another great organization to explore!)
Alice Allison Dunnigan
(1906-1983)
At the age of thirteen, Dunnigan began her writing career authoring short columns for her local newspaper. After attending segregated schooling for most of her life, Dunnigan eventually attended university where she studied journalism and educated students about the impacts of African Americans. Dunnigan continued freelance writing, but took on a more involved approach with policy work. By the end of her remarkable career, Dunnigan had become the first Black woman to be a correspondent at the White House and member of press galleries in Congress.
Final Note
This past month researching and writing this article has been an eye-opening experience. Just because Black History Month is coming to an end does not mean we should stop celebrating African American figures in history. This article only touched upon a few incredible Black figures, but I encourage you to do your own research to discover even more stories. Today and everyday, I encourage us to read more pieces written by Black authors, educate ourselves on their stories, and play a part in making the world a more welcoming, inclusive, and just place to live.