Description: "With sparkling wit and humor-and lots of fun pop culture references-digital content creator Taylor Cassidy (creator of TikTok sensation "Fast Black History") takes readers on a journey through the Black history that she wishes she was taught in school. Weaving together research and personal anecdotes that illuminate each trailblazer's impact on her own life, Taylor paints a vibrant picture of twelve figures from Black history whose groundbreaking contributions shaped America as we know it today. From activists like Claudette Colvin and Marsha P. Johnson to literary giants Zora Neale Hurston and Maya Angelou, fashion designer Patrick Kelly, Olympic Gold medalist Tommie Smith, and more, this one-of-a-kind collection makes Black history relatable, relevant, and inspiring, so modern readers can recognize themselves within its pages. By the end, you'll want to proudly proclaim: "Black history is my history!""--
Brief description: Taylor Cassidy is a content creator who gained popularity from her online series Fast Black History, where, with quick wit and strong passion, she teaches Black history to her audience of millions. She uses her platform to advocate for representation, education, and creativity. She earned a Creator Honor from Liza Koshy at the Streamy Awards for her online series Black Girl Magic Minute and spent three years as a host for Sirius XM's TikTok Radio channel. She's been featured on TikTok's Top 100 list under "Voices of Change: Most Impactful Creators," Teen Vogue's 21 Under 21 list, and Forbes's 30 Under 30 list. In 2023, Taylor became an Emmy-nominated host for her work as a correspondent on Nickelodeon's Nick News, as well as the first-ever youth speaker at the United Nations' International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Generous with sharing motivation and good energy online, Taylor is passionate about encouraging others to dream bigger for themselves. She continues to use her platform to teach, spread joy, and share fun pictures of herself.
Review Quotes: "The lively, colloquial language makes this work accessible and appealing to those who might shy away from traditional history texts. Bellet's whimsical illustrations add to the sense of joy. . . . Relatable history and personal storytelling that will reach digital natives."--Kirkus Reviews