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by Taylor Cassidy (Author), Adriana Bellet (Illustrator)
From TikTok star and creator of Fast Black History Taylor Cassidy comes a witty, lightly illustrated nonfiction debut that blends history and memoir in a joyful celebration of Black American historical figures.
Meet Taylor Cassidy, Black history enthusiast and creator of the viral TikTok series Fast Black History. In her debut book, Taylor takes readers on a journey through the Black history she wishes she was taught in school. With sparkling wit and humor--and lots of fun pop culture references--she paints a vibrant picture of twelve figures from Black history whose groundbreaking contributions shaped America as we know it today. Introducing icons from activists to literary giants, movie stars to Olympic gold medalists, fashion designers to astronauts, and more, this one-of-a-kind collection makes Black history relatable, relevant, and utterly irresistible. Using Black history as inspiration, Taylor weaves together research and personal anecdotes that illuminate each trailblazer's impact on her own life--as well as sharing plenty of triumphant, funny, and embarrassing moments from her past. From navigating friend breakups and unrequited crushes to setting boundaries and fighting self-doubt, Taylor's been there...and she's learned some valuable life lessons along the way. This book is a joyful celebration of Black historymakers, and you're invited to the party. Come on in and let these twelve true stories inspire you to make history of your own!Author Biography
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.
Adriana Bellet (a.k.a. JeezVanilla) is an editorial illustrator who delights in painting spirited faces and colorful spaces. She draws and paints for various international publications, for both digital and print projects. Adriana works from her home studio in Stockholm. Visit her online at JeezVanilla.com.
