Clint Smith is a talented writer known for poetry and thoughtful nonfiction. His book How the Word Is Passed explores America's history of slavery. Another incredible work is his poetry collection Counting Descent, noted for its powerful emotion.
If you enjoy reading books by Clint Smith then you might also like the following authors:
Ta-Nehisi Coates explores race, history, and identity with honesty and depth. In his book, Between the World and Me, Coates writes vividly about his experiences as a Black man in America, shaped into heartfelt letters addressed to his son.
His reflections shed light on issues of racism and struggle, making readers think deeply about society.
Isabel Wilkerson writes with empathy and detail about history, race, and migration. In her work, The Warmth of Other Suns, she tells the personal stories of African Americans who relocated from the South during the Great Migration.
Wilkerson combines moving narratives with careful research to illuminate the human experiences behind major historical events.
Bryan Stevenson is an author deeply committed to justice, fairness, and equality. His powerful book, Just Mercy, details his experiences defending those wrongly accused or harshly sentenced in the criminal justice system.
Stevenson writes clearly and passionately, inviting readers to consider issues of morality, redemption, and reform with fresh perspectives.
Ibram X. Kendi approaches themes of race, inequality, and racism with clarity and insight. In his influential book, How to Be an Antiracist, Kendi challenges readers to recognize racism in everyday life and actively oppose it.
His writing combines personal stories, historical analysis, and practical suggestions, encouraging genuine reflection and social change.
Nikole Hannah-Jones writes thoughtfully about race and history by highlighting overlooked perspectives. In The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story, she re-examines American history by highlighting Black experiences and contributions often left out of mainstream narratives.
Hannah-Jones brings fresh context and perspective, prompting readers to reconsider fundamental aspects of national identity and history.
Heather C. McGhee writes clearly and insightfully about inequality and racial injustice in America. Her nonfiction explores how racism affects everyone, not just communities of color.
In The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together, McGhee explores racism's hidden consequences and highlights ways that working together benefits all of society.
Jesmyn Ward is a gifted storyteller whose novels explore family bonds, poverty, race, and resilience in the American South. Her writing is lyrical yet direct, sharply depicting the realities that people in marginalized communities face.
In Sing, Unburied, Sing, Ward blends powerful storytelling with elements of ghost stories to examine the legacy of trauma and racism impacting multiple generations.
Saeed Jones is an expressive writer who confronts race, sexuality, and identity with honesty and emotion. His memoir, How We Fight for Our Lives, vividly portrays the challenges of growing up Black and gay in America. The writing is raw, insightful, and deeply moving.
Danez Smith's poetry is forceful and vibrant, tackling topics like race, violence, queerness, illness, and joy head-on. Their voice is emotional, lively, and deeply empathetic.
In their collection Don't Call Us Dead, Smith explores urgent themes like police brutality and Black queer identity, providing honest reflections that resonate strongly with readers.
Reginald Dwayne Betts approaches themes of incarceration, systemic injustice, and redemption through deeply personal and compelling writing. His background informs his compassionate voice, providing firsthand insight into the criminal justice system.
In Felon, Betts combines poetry with legal documents to illuminate the humanity, complexity, and injustices faced by those involved with America's prison system.
Annette Gordon-Reed is a historian known for her thoughtful exploration of American history, race, and slavery. Her careful research sheds clear light on important yet overlooked experiences.
In The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family, she examines the life of Sally Hemings and her family to reveal a fuller picture of Thomas Jefferson and American history.
Eddie S. Glaude Jr. writes honestly about race, politics, and American identity, asking critical questions about hope, disappointment, and what America truly represents to all its citizens.
His book Begin Again: James Baldwin's America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own blends personal reflection and insightful analysis of Baldwin's legacy to help readers reconsider our country's present and possible futures.
Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor is an author who speaks plainly and directly about racism, inequality, and the struggles for justice in modern America. She uncovers connections between past and present and argues passionately for meaningful change.
Her book From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation offers powerful perspective on recent protests, racial justice movements, and paths toward liberation.
Michelle Alexander thoughtfully examines the impact of race and inequality within American society and our prison system. She carefully connects history, policy, and personal consequences in ways that are clear and eye-opening.
Her widely-read book The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness demonstrates how racial bias still shapes criminal justice, challenging readers to rethink the fairness of our institutions.
James Baldwin wrote honestly and eloquently about race, identity, and humanity, combining powerful reflection with sharp social critique. His insightful writing makes complex ideas understandable and deeply moving.
His work The Fire Next Time remains an influential classic, examining America’s troubled racial history and calling for genuine confrontation of the truths behind injustice.