One strategic objective from Pioneer’s Board of Directors is to build diversity, equity and inclusion into our co-op’s storytelling. This post, part of our yearlong Bookshelf series, shares books our staff members are reading. We hope these recommendations provide interested Utility Pioneers with stories to offer new perspectives, deepen cultural understandings and spark conversations.

At Pioneer, we believe in the value of diverse storytellers. We also love books. Seriously. For some of us, it’s an obsession.

By reading books from a variety of storytellers, we gain new perspectives, deepen our understanding of different cultures and spark conversations. During Black History Month, we asked our team of utility storytellers to share books they enjoyed featuring the history and modern-day experiences of African American storytellers.

1. “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Recommended by Elaya, Sarah, Chanelle and Megan

This powerful, beautifully written letter from a father to his teenage son explores the complexities of being Black in America. Coates delves into the historical and contemporary aspects of systemic racism, offering a poignant and personal perspective on the struggle for racial justice.

2. “March” by John Lewis

Recommended by Sydney
This graphic novel trilogy recounts the life of civil rights icon John Lewis. It vividly portrays his experiences as a leader in the American civil rights movement, including the historic march from Selma to Montgomery. Lewis’ firsthand account provides a gripping narrative of the fight for equality and justice.

3. “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King Jr.

Recommended by Matthew and Linda

King penned this letter during the Birmingham Campaign of 1963. In it, he responds to criticisms from fellow clergymen, articulating the moral imperative to confront injustice and advocate for civil rights through nonviolent resistance.

4. “Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches” by Audre Lorde

Recommended by Elaya

Lorde addresses issues of intersectionality, identity and activism, challenging conventional norms and advocating for social change in this collection of essays and speeches.

5. “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi

Recommended by Misty and Megan

Spanning several generations, the story traces the diverging paths of two half-sisters and their descendants. Set against the backdrop of the African slave trade, the book explores the impact of slavery on families and the enduring legacy it leaves across generations.

6. “The Warmth of Other Suns” by Isabel Wilkerson

Recommended by Elaya

This historical narrative chronicles the Great Migration, a transformative period in American history during which millions of African Americans moved from the South to Northern and Western cities. Through compelling stories, Wilkerson captures the struggles and triumphs of individuals seeking a better life.

7. “Walking with the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement” by John Lewis and Michael D’Orso

Recommended by Sarah

This memoir offers another firsthand account of Congressman John Lewis’ role in the civil rights movement. Lewis reflects on the challenges and triumphs of the movement, offering insights into the pivotal events that shaped the fight for racial equality.

8. “I Was Right on Time” by John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil

Recommended by Sara
Everything about Negro Leagues baseball legend Buck O’Neil reflects his positivity, even the title he chose for his autobiography — his response when told it was a shame he was born too early to play in Major League Baseball. Ken Burns’ groundbreaking “Baseball” documentary launched the second phase of O’Neil’s 80-year baseball career, as an ambassador whose wit and wisdom helped address some of the sport’s — and life’s — hardest issues. He was ultimately honored in 2008 with the creation of Major League Baseball’s Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring an individual who meets his example of “character, integrity and dignity.”

9. “The Office of Historical Corrections” by Danielle Evans

Recommended by Megan

Small choices cascade quickly in these powerful short stories on loss, peer pressure and identity. Evans weaves together narratives that challenge conventional perspectives and offer a nuanced portrayal of the complexities surrounding race and memory. Each tale offers unique perspectives on how the unthinkable slowly unfurls.

10. “How Long ’til Black Future Month?” by N. K. Jemisin

Recommended by Megan

If you’ve never heard of Jemisin, this collection of short stories is a fun introduction to her work.

Not only is she the first Black author to win the World Science Fiction Society’s coveted Hugo Award for Best Novel with her book, “The Fifth Season,” she went on to win the honor three years in a row! In this set of short stories, Jemisin creates diverse and imaginative futures where she explores themes of race, power and resilience in a variety of settings. Her thought-provoking narratives challenge societal norms. Want more? The Broken Earth trilogy, her Hugo award-winning series, is amazing.

What are you reading?

We’d love to know if you’ve read these stories, too, and if you have recommendations! Please share what you’re reading as a comment below.

Celebrate diverse storytellers.
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