The Bison Bookshelf

Dual Callings of Law and Ministry: Grounded in Faith, Family, And Service 
by Joe L. Webster (B.A. ’76; J.D. ’79)

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The first African American U.S. Federal Magistrate Judge in the Middle District of North Carolina offers a glimpse into his life and diverse experiences.

The Girl with the Iron Leg: Book One 
by Griselda Houseworth Clemons (BA ’64)

Clemons shares her memoir about her bout with poliomyelitis (polio) during the Jim Crow era and the polio epidemic of 1950. The disease attacked her nerves in the spinal cord and caused muscle weakness and atrophy, which changed her life as she knew it forever. Griselda shares with you her emotional and psychological needs during that time, and reveals how those needs were not a consideration during her recovery, as all attention was focused on her physical treatment and wellness. As she walks you through this journey, you will be met with amusement, and moments that will make you cry, as she shares her life with you about normal events involving a normal child with a disability.

Heir to the Crescent Moon
by Sufiya Abdur-Rahman (B.A. ’01)

In Heir to the Crescent Moon, Sufiya Abdur-Rahman’s longing to comprehend her father’s complicated relationship with Islam leads her first to recount her own history, and then delves into her father’s past. She journeys from the Christian righteousness of Adam Clayton Powell Jr.’s 1950s Harlem, through the Malcolm X–inspired college activism of the late 1960s, to the unfulfilled potential of the early 1970s Black American Muslim movement. Told at times with lighthearted humor or heartbreaking candor, Abdur-Rahman’s story of adolescent Arabic lessons, fasting, and Muslim mosque, funeral, and Eid services speaks to the challenges of bridging generational and cultural divides and what it takes to maintain family amidst personal and societal upheaval. She weaves a vital tale about a family: Black, Muslim, and distinctly American.

Her Truth and Service: Lucy Diggs Slowe in Her Own Words 
by Amy Yeboah Quarkume

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Through her letters, this book frames the significant contributions of Slowe as a renaissance woman that built a pathway for millions.

I Will Fear No Evil  
by John E. Jacob (B.A. ’57, MSW ’63)

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Howard University alumnus and Board of Trustees chairman emeritus John E. Jacob’s illustrious career and life’s journey is beautifully recounted in his new memoir “I Will Fear No Evil.” At 90 years young, Jacob’s memoir offers a glimpse into how he dealt with and persevered through segregation, as well as his continued commitment to service and public stewardship. Howard University’s School of Social Work called the book “a living archive of a boyhood shaped by scarcity, a manhood defined by service, and a lifetime of choosing to build bridges when others were busy building walls.”

The Judge and I by 
Phillis Lu Simpson (J.D. ’81)

In her memoir, Simpson weighs the difficult decision between keeping her job in the judicial system or her unborn child, a story about the struggles of daily life and the unexpected triumphs that make it worthwhile.

Love to Langston
by Tony Medina, Ph.D., Howard University faculty member

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Howard professor Tony Medina, Ph.D.'s biography on Langston Hughes celebrates his life through fourteen original poems. Each of Medina's engaging poems explores an important theme in Hughes' life - his lonely childhood, his love of language and travel, his dream of writing poetry. Illustrations by R. Gregory Christie.

- Read more in Howard Magazine

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
by Frederick Douglass (LL.D. '1872)

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Former slave, impassioned abolitionist, brilliant writer, newspaper editor and eloquent orator whose speeches fired the abolitionist cause, Frederick Douglass (1818–1895) led a life which include physical abuse, deprivation and tragedy; yet through sheer force of character, he was able to overcome these obstacles to become a leading spokesman for his people. In this, the first and most frequently read of his three autobiographies, Douglass provides graphic descriptions of his childhood and horrifying experiences as a slave as well as a harrowing record of his dramatic escape to the North and eventual freedom. 
 

Toni at Random 
By Dana A. Williams (M.A. '95, Ph.D. '99), dean of the Howard University Graduate School

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Drawing on extensive research and firsthand accounts, Williams' comprehensive study discusses Toni Morrison's remarkable journey from her early days at Random House to her emergence as one of its most important editors. During her tenure in editorial, Morrison refashioned the literary landscape, working with important authors, including Toni Cade Bambara, Leon Forrest, and Lucille Clifton, and empowering cultural icons such as Angela Davis and Muhammad Ali to tell their stories on their own terms.

The Truths We Hold: An American Journey
by Kamala Harris (B.A. ’86) 

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In her acclaimed, #1 New York Times bestselling memoir, former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris delivers “a life story that genuinely entrances” (Los Angeles Times) as she looks back on how she was shaped by the core truths that unite us. The daughter of immigrants and civil rights activists, she reckons with the big challenges we face together. Drawing on the hard-won wisdom and insight from her own career and the work of those who have most inspired her, she communicates a vision of shared struggle, shared purpose, and shared values as we confront the great work of our day.

Voices in the Twilight 
by Louis Alexander Hemans (L.A. ’68, B.A. ’80)

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Hemans blends personal and professional insights on coming-of-age experiences including politics, romance, and philosophy in Jamaica.

The Adventures of Lailabean: A Journey of Discovery
by Jamia Furbush (MSW ’10) and Laila Smith

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Little Lailabean journeys through North America to discover how the diverse offerings can shape her into an adventurous, bright young girl ready to take on the world.

Ballet Beignet 
by Arian T. Moore (BA ’05) 

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Ballet Beignet follows Zoe and her brothers on their quest for fresh baked beignets. A mistake in baking gives Zoe magical dancing powers right before her ballet recital.

Brothers of the Knight
by Debbie Allen (BFA ’72, DHL ’93)

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Debbie Allen's contemporary retelling of the classic tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses with illustrations from Kadir Nelson tells the story of boys who love to dance with a father who is a preacher. They know their all-night dancing wouldn't fit with their father's image in the community. 

Chronically Loved 
by Natasha Graves (BS ’12)

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Aaliyah loves her Aunt Nia who was diagnosed with a chronic illness and lives with her. They use family time to talk about the disabled community and how children can be respectful and aware. It also talks to children about family and love.

Dancing in the Wings
by Debbie Allen (BFA ’72, DHL ’93)

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Sassy is a long-legged girl who always has something to say. She wants to be a ballerina more than anything, but she worries that her too-large feet, too-long legs, and even her big mouth will keep her from her dream. When a famous director comes to visit her class, Sassy does her best to get his attention with her high jumps and bright leotard. Her first attempts are definitely not appreciated, but with Sassy's persistence, she just might be able to win him over. Dancing in the Wings is loosely based on actress/choreographer Debbie Allen's own experiences as a young dancer.

The Doctor Says: Let’s Talk About Body Safety 
by Dr. Pat Morgan (BS ’89)

To instill safety and awareness in children, author Pat Morgan teaches children about body parts, and consent in a wonderfully written children's book with an important message of prevention and being brave. Dr. Pat Morgan, a board-certified child abuse pediatrician, brings you into the exam room and shares what she teaches children about how to keep their bodies safe. Using a rhyming pattern, pre-school and primary school aged children will learn how to be empowered and be brave, if they find themselves in an unsafe situation. Independent readers can read this beautifully illustrated book on their own and parents may read it to their young children as well. The book includes sections at the beginning and end of the book which include helpful suggestions and tips for grown-ups.

How I Became an Astronaut: Lil’ Brown Boy Book Series, Book 2 
by James C. Taliaferro (MS ‘03) and David W. Carrington

Another book in Taliaferro’s Lil’ Brown Boy Book series, this installation explores love for the planets and how to transform fascination for the stars into a full-on career as an astronaut. 

Shark Teeth
by Julia Guerrier (DDS ’13) 

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This illustrated children's book by Howard alumna and dentist Dr. Julia Guerrier helps children understand their teeth as they lose baby teeth and permanent teeth arrive. It also encourages parents to have their children regularly evaluated by the dentist.

Read more in Howard Magazine

Blood in the Water
by Tiffany D Jackson (B.A. ’04)

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A young girl from Brooklyn spends the summer with family friends in on Martha’s Vineyard when the shocking death of a popular teenager occurs, rocking the well-to-do community. What happened in the water? 

Cherry Blossom Blues
by Marla-Tiye Vieira (B.A. ’91)

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The love story of two men in 1920s Washington D.C. during the Harlem Renaissance as the Spanish Flu rages and American Prohibition, World War I, and the rising threats of future fascism loom large.

I Am Alfonso Jones 
by Tony Medina, Ph.D., Howard University faculty member

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Howard professor Tony Medina, Ph.D., has delivered a graphic novel which tackles one of the most important issues of our time. This unflinching graphic novel explores the afterlife of a young man killed by an off-duty police officer as he meets others who were the victims of similar crimes. Alfonso's family and friends struggle with their grief and seek justice for Alfonso in the streets. As they confront their new realities, both Alfonso and those he loves realize the work that lies ahead in the fight for justice. Co-illustrated by New York Times bestselling artist John Jennings, the book also incudes a foreword by Bryan Stevenson, executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative and author of "Just Mercy."

- Read more in Howard Magazine

The Last Dreamwalker 
by Rita Woods (M.Ed. ’82)

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From Hurston/Wright Legacy Award-winning author Rita Woods, The Last Dreamwalker tells the story of two women, separated by nearly two centuries yet inextricably linked by the islands off the coast of South Carolina―and their connection to a mysterious and extraordinary gift passed from generation to generation. After her mother’s passing, Layla discovers the supernatural mystery of her family secrets in the islands. The terrifying nightmares that have plagued her throughout her life and tainted her relationship with her mother and all of her family, is actually a power passed down through generations of her Gullah ancestors. She is a Dreamwalker, able to inhabit the dreams of others―and to manipulate them.

On Again, Awkward Again: A Novel 
by Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia (B.S. ‘05)

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Thrown together to plan the freshman dance, is this the start of an imperfectly perfect love story?

Salt the Water 
by Candice Iloh (B.A. ‘10)

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Explores themes of family, self, the ability to dream, and what happens when those aspects of a young, Black, nonbinary teenager’s life collide in uncomfortable ways.

Saint-Seducing Gold 
by Brittany N. Williams (BFA ’07)

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In this action-packed and romantic second book in this historical fantasy trilogy, magical metal-worker Joan Sands must reforge the Pact between humanity and the Fae to stop the looming war in historic London.

Sh+aguar, The Night Huntress 
by Sandhi Smalls Santini (B.A. ’79)

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In a race to save humanity, Kitt Kougar, a woman who becomes infused with the DNA of a “melanistic jaguar,” takes on life saving responsibilities.

The Summer I Ate the Rich 
by HU Doctoral Student Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite

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Illuminates what happens when a Haitian American girl uses her cooking — and zonbi — abilities to exact revenge on the wealthy elites who have hurt her family.

Their Eyes Were Watching God
by Zora Neale Hurston (A.A. ‘24) 

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One of the most important and enduring books of the twentieth century, "Their Eyes Were Watching God" brings to life a Southern love story. Controversial initially because of it centers on a strong Black woman in the South, the book explores her evolution as she confronts love and trauma to discover her sense of self.

Them Summer Daze 
by Dorothy Givens Terry (BA ’84)

Dottie can see the future. Civil unrest, family disputes, and life-altering events shifts Dottie’s South Carolina 1969 summertime in this coming-of-age story. But the boring summer Dottie was expecting turns out to be anything but! Her visions are happening with more frequency than usual and a criminal encounter with "the Project Girls" sets into motion more uncomfortable encounters to follow, all while the summer explodes around her in a hot ball of mysterious fires in the neighborhood, civil unrest around town and family drama at home, ending with a life-altering event that has Dottie rethinking what’s “cool” and questioning whether being “in” with the “in crowd” is worth the price of admission.

The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, Beloved (Box Set)
by Toni Morrison (B.A.’53, H ’95)

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A box set of Toni Morrison's principal works, featuring The Bluest Eye (her first novel), Beloved (Pulitzer Prize winner), and Song of Solomon (National Book Critics Award winner). Staring unflinchingly into the abyss of slavery, Beloved t tells the story of a former slave who escapes to Ohio, but eighteen years later is still not free. In The New York Times bestselling novel, The Bluest Eye, a young black girl, prays every day for beauty and yearns for normalcy, for the blond hair and blue eyes, that she believes will allow her to finally fit in. Yet as her dream grows more fervent, her life slowly starts to disintegrate in the face of adversity and strife. In Song of Solomon, Morrison follows Milkman Dead from his rustbelt city to the place of his family's origins, introducing an entire cast of strivers and seeresses, liars and assassins, the inhabitants of a fully realized black world.

When the Red Ball Express Came Home 
by Rev. Cleven L. Jones, Sr. (B. Div. ’76)

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A fictional account of the hardships, friendships, and lessons of Black soldiers who fought tyranny and racism during World War II. 

Abolition and the Underground Railroad in South Jersey: Not Without a Fight 
by Ellen D. Alford (BA ’80)

During the Civil War era, South Jersey was a hotbed of slave fugitives, freedmen, and abolitionists. This included the proud 22nd Regiment of the United States Colored Troops and abolitionists such as Harriet Tubman, Abigail Goodwin and Benjamin Sheppard, who operated among key landmarks of the Underground Railroad in South Jersey counties such as Cape May, Cumberland and Salem. Slavery and the rights of Black Americans were at the heart of a melee in a Cape May hotel between Black waiters and white patrons, the covert signaling of boats ferrying fugitive slaves across the Delaware River and the daring rescue of a runway slave from the hands of slave catchers by local church worshipers. 

The Almighty Black P Stone Nation: The Rise, Fall, and Resurgence of an American Gang
by Natalie Moore (BA ’98) and Lance Williams

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This exposé investigates the evolution of the Almighty Black P Stone Nation, a motley group of poverty-stricken teens transformed into a dominant gang accused of terroristic intentions. Interwoven into the narrative is the dynamic influence of leader Jeff Fort, who—despite his flamboyance and high visibility—instilled a rigid structure and discipline that afforded the young men a refuge and a sense of purpose in an often hopeless community. Details of how the Nation procured government funding for gang-related projects during the War on Poverty era and fueled bonuses and job security for law enforcement, and how Fort, in particular, masterminded a deal for $2.5 million to commit acts of terrorism in the United States on behalf of Libya are also revealed. In examining whether the Black P Stone Nation was a group of criminals, brainwashed terrorists, victims of their circumstances, or champions of social change, this social history provides both an exploration of how and why gangs flourish and insight into the way in which minority crime is targeted in the community, reported in the media, and prosecuted in the courts.

Read more in Howard Magazine

We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Resistance 
by Kellie Carter Jackson (BA ’04)

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As a historian, Jackson examines the history of Black resistance to white supremacy. Violent and non-violent forms of resistance are highlighted to show the tactics that shape Black struggles on the road to Black liberation. 

Mechanical Engineering at Howard University 1911-2023 
by Dr. Lewis Thigpen (BSME’64; M.S. ’67; Ph.D. ’70)

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Details the establishment and origins of the university’s mechanical engineering department and its curriculum.

One Shot Away 
by Guy Thompson  (B.A. ’80)

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The story of the Howard's men’s basketball teams in 1966-67, who reset the program's trajectory in the classroom and the hardwood after a 14-year losing season streak.

Ethics in Leadership 
by Howard faculty members Dr. Efosa C. Idemudia, Dr. Dennis Patterson, and Dr. Ralph Ferguson

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Common-sense methods that encourage ethical decision-making and assist leaders in building organizations with effective processes.

Leadership for Such a Time as This: A Leader’s Journey to Global Inclusivity 
by Muteba Mukendi (MBA ’09)

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Author Muteba Mukendi speaks to world leaders about inclusiveness, intersectionality, and intercultural competencies to give perspective on solving problems plaguing today’s society. From a global pandemic, a race and social justice movement, a politically-polarized US election, a brazen attack on the US Capitol, and the Russian-Ukraine war, and a global economic crisis, solving today's problems requires leaders to develop other leaders by cultivating social characteristics and behaviors that effectively influence others who might not look, think, and act like them. This book explores how the three components of intersectional identities, moral capabilities, and intercultural competencies allow leaders to excel in this ever-more-connected world. 

The New Negro: Voices of the Harlem Renaissance
Edited by Alain Locke, Ph.D.

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From legendary former Howard professor Alain Locke, known as the father of the Harlem Renaissance, came a powerful, provocative, and affecting anthology of writers who shaped the Harlem Renaissance movement and who help us to consider the evolution of the African American in society. With stunning works by seminal black voices such as Zora Neale Hurston, Countee Cullen, and W.E.B. DuBois, Locke has constructed a vivid look at the new negro, the changing African American finding his place in the ever shifting sociocultural landscape that was 1920s America. 

Between the Night and Its Music  
by A.B. Spellman (B.A. ’56)

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Jazz critic and poet A.B. Spellman’s latest collection of poems are sensual selections that explore the relationship between Black collective conscious, music, and dance. 

I Love My People 
by Kim Singleton (BS ’83)

I Love My People is a poetic tribute to African American history-makers and culture-shakers, complete with nostalgic photography and vibrant, playful illustration. In the vein of Gill Scott-Heron's poetry of the 1970s, author Kim Singleton invites us into call-and-response and brings a refreshing cadence to the page that captures every decade of Black joy in all its resilient, diverse, and excellent splendor.

Are You For Real?: Imposter Syndrome, the Bible, and Society 
by Stephanie Buckhanon Crowder (BS ’91)

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Matters of racism, sexism, classism, and gender come to the forefront as the author engages imposter syndrome through the lens of Biblical texts. 

107 Days
by Kamala Harris (B.A. ’86)

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From the chaos of campaign strategy sessions to the intensity of debate prep under relentless scrutiny and the private moments that rarely make headlines, Kamala Harris offers an unfiltered look at the pressures, triumphs, and heartbreaks of a history-defining race. With behind-the-scenes details and a voice that is both intimate and urgent, this is more than a political memoir—it’s a chronicle of resilience, leadership, and the high stakes of democracy in action. Written with candor, a unique perspective, and the pace of a page-turning novel, 107 Days takes you inside the race for the presidency as no one has ever done before.

Read more in Howard Magazine:

- Kamala Harris: Elevating the Light of Truth and Service

Media Racism: The Impact of Media Injustice on Black Women's Lives 
by Marquita M. Pellerin-Gammage (BA ’06) 

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Media Racism: The Impact of Media Injustice on Black Women’s Lives by Dr. Marquita M. Pellerin-Gammage (BA ’06) defines and examines the role of media in shaping the lives of Black women while providing insight into the intersection of race, gender, and media representation in today's everchanging world.

The Message
by Ta-Nehisi Coates 

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In a three-part story that takes place in Senegal, South Carolina, and Palestine, Coates discusses the importance of a storyteller’s undying, healthy relationship to the truth. 

Politically Preaching: Why Politics Are Local to The Black Church 
by Kevin A. Slayton (MDiv ’11)

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Politically Preaching examines rich legacy of the Black Church in our western culture. Pastor, professor, lobbyist, and community advocate Kevin Slayton presents a dynamic look into the culture of local politics as they intersect with the African American faith community and overall electoral outcomes. He also, points to the tools and best practices for being an effective faith leader in these emotionally charged and divisive times. 

The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation
by Natalie Moore (BA ’98) 

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In this intelligent and highly important narrative, Chicago-native Natalie Moore shines a light on contemporary segregation in the city's South Side; with a memoirist's eye, she showcases the lives of these communities through the stories of people who reside there. The South Side shows the impact of Chicago's historic segregation - and the ongoing policies that keep the system intact.

Read more about the author in Howard Magazine 

Dance Through the Storms: 22 Faith-Filled Reflections
by Brianna Hairlson (BBA ’12)

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Dance Through the Storms: 22 Faith-Filled Reflections to Maintain Your Joy will provide inspiration and guidance to readers who may feel like there is no hope during or after the storm. Author Brianna Hairlson also wants her readers to hold fast to the promises of God and believe that on the other side of the storm, there is a beautiful testimony.

How to Help Your Doctor Help You: A Guide for Men and Women to Manage Health Proactively
by Bonita Coe (M.D., ’94)

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A practical guide designed to empower individuals to manage their health better while building stronger patient-doctor relationships.

The Journey: An African American Woman’s Road Map to Independence  
by Troy A. Young, C.F.P. (B.B.A. ’88)

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Philosophies on Black women’s financial development including employee benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. 

Negotiating While Black: Be Who You Are to Get What You Want 
by Damali Peterman (JD ’08)

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Readers are guided through Peterman’s decades of experience in navigating spaces as the only Black women in the room. Peterman shows readers that everything can be up for discussion and by being yourself you have a better chance of obtaining the things that you want.  

Optimizing Your Gifts for Career Success: My Journey Leveraging Resilience, Mentorship and Leadership Mien 
by Ronald Edward Smiley (BS ’70)

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This book describes Smiley’s unique journey that resulted in the culmination of his successful career as an engineering professional and senior executive. The book seeks to offer advice for burgeoning professionals who are seeking career advancement in today’s job market. 

The Power of Conscious Connection: 4 Habits to Transform How You Live and Lead in a Disconnected World 
by Talia Fox (BA ’02, Med ’04)

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Fox draws from her personal journey as a Black female leader, providing powerful insights and stirring stories that expose the potent impact of leading with conscious connection. It encourages the reader to be more present, more engaged, and more attuned to the intricacies of our interconnected world. Harnessing the power of her signature habits model, the LOVE (Listen, Observe, Value, Engage) system, Fox's book awakens your senses and challenge you to commit to a new way of living and leading. It’s about feeling more alive, more connected, more fulfilled.