It's Up to Us

On Christmas we called our dear friend and family George Ford. As usual, he was full of energy and encouragement. We talked about everything from Nikki Giovanni’s tremendous legacy to the new Netflix special The Six Triple Eight. As the conversation turned to our work as book creators, George shared some wise words. 

“It’s not about overcoming someday. It’s now. It’s us. It’s up to us.”

The work ahead can sometimes seem daunting. A new administration, continued book banning, attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion, and a challenging economy are all adding more uncertainty. We feel the weight as publishers and small business owners. And we see it as parents, educators, librarians, kidlit creators and entrepreneurs navigate this time as well. 

But we know now like we knew when we founded Just Us Books 36 years ago: we have an important role to play in creating the brighter future our young people deserve. All of us do. 

As we welcome 2025, we do so in gratitude for the many blessings of last year, and the opportunity to continue to make a difference.

Like George said, It’s up to us.

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Looking for even more inspiration? Or a great cause to support? Check out the great work Jacqueline Woodson is doing through Baldwin For The Arts.

Book and Bookish Gift Ideas from Small Businesses and Creators

In the spirit of cooperative economics, we’re spotlighting book and bookish gifts from independent creators and small businesses. There’s something for everyone, adults included!

And remember, when you shop small, you’re not just giving unique and meaningful gifts — you’re supporting talented creators and making a real difference in independent businesses. 

Here's our list:

King of Kindergarten Tonie based on the award-winning picture book by Derrick Barnes and Vanessa Brantley-Newton 

I’m Still An Afro-Bets Kid sweatshirt

Shirts featuring the Afro-Bets Kids, who helped launch Just Us Books 36 years ago. (Available in kids and adults sizes)

Charlie Drew and His Missing Stethoscope

By Dr. David C. Miller, illustrated by Cameron Wilson - a picture book about an 11-year-old genius who attends Howard University Medical School as the youngest student in the United States in medical school.

Leverage Everything In Life journal 

Designed to help you map out your next big idea, organize daily tasks and everything in between.

Just Us Books pom pom beanie 

Sisters of the Sidewalk by Shadra Strickland

A digital print from Shadra's picture book Jump In. 

Good Books Make A Difference canvas tote

A stylish carrier for books and more.

On My Own: Vision Board Guidebook for Young People by Patrick Oliver guides young people through an interactive process that will help them with goal setting. 

Black Children’s Book Week tee

Celebrate the global event that spotlights Black children and their representation in children's books and other media. Plus: Save the date for the 2025: February 23 - March 1, 2025

Black Collection shirts 

A collab between Just Us Books and creative brand From the Xrt celebrating Black book publishing and some of the many people who make it possible. 

Good Books Make A Difference mug

Enjoy your favorite books with your favorite beverage.

Brave Enough to Be the Light

One thing we love about this time of year is the focus on community. If your social media feeds are anything like ours, it’s full of people asking about recommendations for Black owned businesses, local shops, and community organizations to support. As we navigate a challenging climate where more book are being banned, there’s increasing pushback on diversity, equity and inclusion, and people are preparing for what the new administration will bring in 2025, it’s encouraging to see so many people take action to ensure the work and institutions that we say are important can continue to operate and even thrive. 

We need that supportive community. So do our children.

During a recent Family Literacy Month event in Little Rock, author and Just Us Books co-founder Wade Hudson, asked students to come up front. He had a message for them.

"Each of you is blessed with a gift or gifts that you will use to make your unique contributions to the world,” he said. “Each of you is special. You must believe that. You must have faith in yourself. No matter what challenges may come, you can overcome them. You must overcome them. Our country and our world need you more than ever now.” 

While there may be lots of uncertainty, we know there’s so much power in community. And there may be no more crucial time than now to identify what we can do — individually and collectively— to support the people and causes that are most important to us and our future. 

As Amanda Gorman, the youngest Inaugural Poet in U.S. history reminds us:

“There is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.”

Pushing Forward

We’re navigating a challenging time, but so many things keep us pushing forward. Among them are these words from Frederick Douglass:

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress…This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a physical one; or it may be both moral and physical; but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”

The struggle for freedom and justice always continues. It does not rest on any one event, whether successful or not.

As kidlit creators, educators, librarians, parents, and supporters, let’s continue to use our gifts and talents to positively impact the lives of our young people. Our books make a difference. Our teaching makes a difference. Our example makes a difference. Our guidance, mentorship, the time we spend listening, supporting, pouring into — it’s all valuable and needed. Especially now. 

Let’s find meaning and purpose with others who know that we MUST continue. 

And when we need a reminder, may we find encouragement in each other and the young people who deserve our best.  

Banned Books Week

Book bans are on the rise. In classrooms and libraries across the nation, books such as We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices, which we published to provide children comfort and encouragement during difficult times, are being called divisive and discriminatory. Since the fall of 2021, PEN America has counted more than 10,000 book bans in public schools alone. Books written about Black, LGBTQ and other marginalized groups are particularly impacted by these restrictions and censorship.

But we’re fighting back. Organizations, educators, librarians, bookstores, authors, illustrators and readers are working together to counteract book banning efforts. Here are a few ways you can join this important work:

1. Stay informed. Follow organizations such as the Banned Books Week Coalition, Pen America, Authors Against Book Bans or Kids Right to Read Project and participate in Banned Books Week activities to learn about the issue in community: https://bannedbooksweek.org/events/ 

2. Check out a challenged book (or two or three) from the library or buy banned/challenged books from your local bookstore. Many bookstores have banned book displays. You can also check this database for banned book lists.   

3. Speak out. Reading a banned book? Post about it on social media. Talk about the difference a book has made in your life. ALA also has free resources including posters and infographics, to help you champion the cause.

And remember, this advocacy isn’t limited to one week. We need to join together in frequent and consistent action to fight censorship, help keep books available in schools and libraries, and promote the freedom to read! 

Black Business Month

August is Black Business Month, founded in 2004 by Frederick E. Jordan and John William Templeton to acknowledge Black-owned businesses and their contributions to our economy. Black-owned businesses are a vital component of society — driving innovation, creating jobs, contributing to the community, and in the case of publishing — sharing and preserving important stories, history, and culture.

Just Us Books exists today because of the trail our ancestor entrepreneurs blazed before us, pioneers like John Brown Russwurm and Samuel Cornish, editors of Freedom’s Journal, the first Black-owned and operated newspaper in the U.S.; abolitionist Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, who published a volume of poetry (Forest Leaves) in 1845 at the age of 20; and WEB DuBois, who launched The Brownies Book, the first magazine created especially for Black children. And we remain in business today with YOUR support and that of many children, parents, educators, librarians, and readers of all ages who buy, read, and recommend our books — and have done so for 35 years. 

It’s fitting that Black Business Month takes place in August. This month is historically a slower time for book sales for many of us in publishing. That makes any purchases made during this period particularly impactful.

We’ve provided lists of Black publishing entrepreneurs for you to consider below. And of course Just Us Books would love to have your support as well. You can buy books or merch, like the shirts our founders are wearing in the photo below. 

However you choose to celebrate Black businesses, this month or any month, know that your support will make a big impact! And we appreciate it!

Pictured: Paul Coates (Black Classic Press), Cheryl Willis Hudson (Just Us Books), Ramunda and Derrick Young (Mahogany Books) at the 2019 Black Pack party, hosted by AALBC.com, Linda Duggins, One Book One Bronx, and Kwame Alexander.

Did you know there are (at least):

📖 195 Black-owned publishers, self-publishers and imprints

📚 162 Black-owned bookstores 

✍🏾 Over 10,727 Black authors and writers

📝 22 Black literary agents 

These are just some of the many creators and companies that make the world of Black book publishing so dynamic, valuable and inspiring. We encourage you to explore the lists linked above to learn more about these Black entrepreneurs. And if you’re looking for new ways to support, check out these tips: 5 Ways to Support Black-Owned Businesses