The Goods

Celebrate Black History Month With These Bookish Goodies

These bookish goodies feature some of the most influential and groundbreaking Black American authors, starting with some fab YA authors.

Erica Ezeifedi

Associate Editor

Erica Ezeifedi, Associate Editor, is a transplant from Nashville, TN that has settled in the North East. In addition to being a writer, she has worked as a victim advocate and in public libraries, where she has focused on creating safe spaces for queer teens, mentorship, and providing test prep instruction free to students. Outside of work, much of her free time is spent looking for her next great read and planning her next snack. Find her on Twitter at @Erica_Eze_.

View All posts by Erica Ezeifedi

Feb 17, 2025

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

While we love to celebrate diverse writers 24/7/365, it feels especially important to display support for and highlight them more these days. As Black history (which is American history) is being stripped from schools, and books by and about Black people (and others) are being taken off school library shelves, showing your love for your favorite Black authors is starting to feel a little radical. At least to me.

So yes, let’s celebrate Black History Month this February and beyond by reading Black authors and showing our love for them, even as others try to deny their stories. The bookish goodies below feature some of the most influential and groundbreaking Black American authors, starting with some fab YA authors.

Black Writers Young Adult Writers Sweatshirt — Image courtesy of TheDireApparel on Etsy

This sweatshirt features the names of some of thee best Black YA writers publishing today. Seriously, I wish I had their books when I was still in the YA target age range, but I’ll settle for reading them now. $45+

Toni Morrison Shirt — Image courtesy of TheMeekApparel on Etsy

Black American literature—really, American literature in general—would not be what it is today without Toni Morrison. She’s my favorite author and my play Auntie. You can show your love for her impact with this Shirt. $20

The Goods

Blind Date With A Book - Black Author — Image courtesy of WaterforRoses on Etsy

With this Suprise Date With A Black Book package, you can choose from a tea lovers or coffee lovers mix, your drinkware, the genre of book you’d like, and you can even link your Goodreads account to make sure you don’t get a repeat. $48+

Black Authors Button Pinback Magnet Mirror — Image courtesy of AfroFlair on Etsy

I love original pictures, and these photos capture these influential Black authors at the height of their careers. Pick which one author you’d like on a pin for $4 each.

Zora Neale Hurston Mug — Image courtesy of thetrinigee on Etsy

Here’s another thing with an original pic of Hurston—this time with a pop of color at the lip. I live. 21+

There are a few options for James Baldwin T-shirts on Etsy. This one is among the chicest, though. $30+

Octavia Butler Shirt — Image courtesy of TheDireApparel on Etsy

I don’t think truer words than “Octavia Butler told y’all” have ever been spoken. Real ones know. Get the word out with this shirt for $33+

Black Authors Bookmark Series Set of — Image courtesy of PremierPosterz on Etsy

This Black authors bookmark set is slick, polished, and is the only item on the list that features Ta-Nehisi Coates. $16

Black Women Writers Shirt — Image courtesy of hetrinigee on Etsy

This shirt has 25 Black women writers to rep. $30

Ida B. Wells sweatshirt — Image courtesy of TheCultureRef on Etsy

Turn the light on the heroic journalist Ida B. Wells with this quote sweatshirt and Long Sleeve T-Shirt. $35

After you’ve gotten a few Black lit bookish goodies, you can continue your celebration of Black writers with this list of the best Black romances by our Romance Expert, Jessica Pryde.