The Black Creators Series

Seasoned author of adult crime fiction Aya de León pits a teen spy against the ominous workings of a white nationalist in Undercover Latina, her debut book for younger readers. This fast-paced upper-middle-grade novel is smart, entertaining, and politically astute. Listen in as Aya de León talks with Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul, New York Times best-selling author and founder of Red Clay Educators, about her work and how it can be shared in classrooms.

From his childhood in Senegal to his career in the NBA, Tacko Fall's inspiring story of practice, persistence, and hard work will motivate young readers to overcome obstacles and aim high—and higher still. Listen in as he shares his story with Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul, New York Times best-selling author and founder of Red Clay Educators.

Award-winning author Linda Williams Jackson centers her middle-grade novel The Lucky Ones around the historical touchstone of Robert Kennedy's southern "poverty tour," and pulls from her own childhood in the Mississippi Delta to tell a detail-rich and poignant story with memorable characters—sure to resonate with readers who have ever felt constricted by their circumstances. Listen in as she converses with Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul, New York Times best-selling author and founder of Red Clay Educators, about her work and the profound and inspiring ways it can be used in classrooms.

Author Atinuke was born in Ibadan, a city in southwestern Nigeria, and moved to Lagos with her family when she was five. She spent much of her childhood in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom, where she attended boarding school. She is the author of many books for young readers including the picture books Baby Goes to Market, B Is for Baby, and Catch That Chicken!; the early chapter book series Anna Hibiscus and Too Small Tola; and the gorgeous nonfiction book Africa, Amazing Africa. Listen in as she converses with Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul, New York Times best-selling author and founder of Red Clay Educators, about her work and the profound and inspiring ways it can be used in classrooms.

Every generation inherits the problems created by the ones before them, but no generation will inherit as many problems—as many crises—as the current generation of young people. But change, even revolution, is possible; you just have to know where to start. In Better Than We Found It, best-selling author Frederick Joseph and debut author Porsche Joseph make the case for addressing some of the biggest issues of our day. Listen in as they talk with Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul, New York Times best-selling author and founder of Red Clay Educators, and learn more about their momentous book and how it can be used to inspire students.

Greg Neri is a filmmaker, poet, and Coretta Scott King honor–winning author whose many books for young readers include Ghetto Cowboy, a thoughtful and entertaining coming-of-age story that was adapted into the Netflix film Concrete Cowboy, and the equally moving follow-up, Polo Cowboy. Listen in as he talks with Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul, New York Times best-selling author and founder of Red Clay Educators, about his work and the profound and inspiring ways it can be used in classrooms.

Rhiannon Giddens is an acclaimed musician, singer, songwriter, and cofounder of the traditional African American string band the Carolina Chocolate Drops. She has long used her art to mine America's musical past and manifest its future, passionately recovering lost voices and reconstructing a nation's musical heritage. Her debut picture book, Build a House, written as a song to commemorate the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth, tells the stirring story of a people who would not be moved and the music that sustained them. Join Grammy Award winner Rhiannon Giddens as she talks with Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul, New York Times best-selling author and founder of Red Clay Educators, about her work and the profound and inspiring ways it can be used in classrooms.

Uplifting, touching, charming, and a delightful multigenerational tale are just some of the ways reviewers have described Janet Costa Bates's newest picture book about the loving bond between a grandfather and his grandson. Listen in as Janet Costa Bates speaks with Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul about Time for Bed, Old House and the powerful ways it can live in classrooms.

Author of Hoop Queens and its companion, Hoop Kings, as well as Pick-Up Game, Chameleon, and Twelve Rounds to Glory—which was a Coretta Scott King Author Award Honor Book—Charles R. Smith Jr. talks about his new book, Hoop Kings 2: New Royalty, with Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul as they discuss the powerful ways it can be used in classrooms to inspire students.

Join author and acclaimed artivist De Nichols as she speaks with Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul about her book Art of Protest: Creating, Discovering, and Activating Art for Your Revolution, a thought-provoking look at protest art.