Books connect us in ways that stir our minds, imaginations and emotions. As we celebrate the 2024 EBONY Power awardees and honorees, we’re giving flowers to those who have shared their words (and pictures) with others. From children’s books that empower our youth to the collection of inspired lessons of some of our greatest leaders, these reads remind us that words can shape our world, inspire our dreams and connect us across time and space. Here are ten books from our Power 100 list that can be the building blocks of our thoughts and the bridge that unite us as a global community.
Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative
Keke Palmer (2024)
Palmer, one of the most hard-working actresses of our generation, slips back into author mode for her latest memoir. Unpacking the last ten years of her career, and her transition to single mom in just a few months, she talks about everything from her struggles with boundaries to unconditional love, forgiveness and worthiness. This Media Mavens awardee has been through it all, and now she wants to help others have the tools to receive their blessings and potential opportunities.
I Am Extraordinary
Stephen Curry (2024)
Curry, a Leaders in Sports awardee, is making sure everyone can participate in sports with his children’s book. Zoe, a young girl with hearing loss, dreams of playing on her school’s soccer team. She’s hesitant at first, but with the help of and perspectives from new friends she learns what it means to be extraordinary. Through these words, Curry teaches kids how to look inside themselves to find self-acceptance and the confidence to achieve any goal.
You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!): A Lil TJ Book
Taraji P. Henson (2024)
The esteemed actress, mental health advocate and Entetainment Powerhouse awardee dives into the world of a young girl named TJ who is relentlessly teased for being her own shining star. It’s the wise words of her grandmother that help TJ realize no one can dim her light. While this is a children’s books, Henson’s wise words of wisdom can be appreciated by all, and are ones that have driven the star in building a career on her own terms.
What If We Get It Right?: Visions of Climate Futures (2024)
Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
Dedicated to making our world a place where future generations can thrive, Dr. Johnson, a STEM Trailblazers honoree, guides us through solutions and possibilities at the nexus of science, policy, culture, and justice. Visionary farmers and financiers, architects and advocates, help us conjure a flourishing future, one worth the effort it will take—from every one of us, with whatever we have to offer—to create.
Love & Whiskey: The Remarkable True Story of Jack Daniel, His Master Distiller Nearest Green, and the Improbable Rise of Uncle Nearest
Fawn Weaver (2024)
In this engaging read, Weaver, who is accepting the EBONY Power 100 Entrepreneur of the Year award on behalf of Uncle Nearest, shares the hidden narrative behind one of America’s most iconic whiskey brands. Filled with extensive research, personal interview, and the uncovering of long-buried documents, she reveals the remarkable bond between master distiller Nearest Green and Jack Daniel. Along with running the billion-dollar company, Weaver is making sure that Nearest’s legacy stays alive.
Gabriel Moses: Regina
Gabriel Moses (2024)
In his first monograph, the work of Moses, an Artist in Residence awardee, is unveiled in lusciously colored reproductions, marked by deep colors and rich textures of his subjects, which include iconic names in music, fashion, or sports. The book includes a foreward from the visual artist, along with compelling essays from fellow creators who expertly dive into his artistic beauty and talent for storytelling.
Before I Let Go
Kennedy Ryan (2022)
Dedicated to depicting authentically connected, emotionally intense and thoughtfully crafted stories, this novel delves into the complicated relationship of Yasmen and Josiah Wade. They couldn’t save their marriage…or can they, as the two find themselves inexpicably drawn back to one another. It’s a testament to this Artist in Residence awardee’s talent of creating strong, multidimensional female characters filled with depth and compassion.
Note to Self: Inspiring Words From Inspiring People
Gayle King (2018)
The CBS This Morning cohost and Entertainment Powerhouse awardee collected some of her favorite letters shared on the the popular CBS This Morning segment “Note to Self,” where contemporary luminaries penned advice and encouragement to the young people. With the inclusion of Oprah, President Joe Biden, Maya Angelou and more, King uses her far-reaching platform to extend the joys and challenges of growing up for a younger generation.
My Mother Was a Freedom Fighter
Aja Monet (2017)
This Artist in Residence honoree pens a beautiful collective ode to mothers, daughters, and sisters—the tiny gods who fight to change the world. Within its pages, the writer tackles racism, sexism, genocide, displacement, heartbreak and grief, but also celebrates love, motherhood, spirituality and Black joy, a testament to her lyric voice that advocates themes of identity, social justice and personal experience.
The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates
Wes Moore (2011)
The Community Crusader presented by Nationwide awardee had a sliding door moment with his name in 2000. On the same day his local paper ran a story about his Rhodes Scholarship, another young Black with the same name was on the lam for murder. Moore reached out to his name twin and corresponded with him for years to understand how they could have gone down such divergent paths. Moore’s compassion in that matter is the same quiet determination led him to become the first Black governor of the state of Maryland.
