African American Sports

Did you know that Muhammad Ali was so terrified of flying on planes that he would bring a parachute? Or that he won the Presidential Medal of Freedom? Bet you didn’t know that he had an official sweat-taster to determine how salty his sweat was after each match! Siblings Paige and Turner do - and they’ve collected some of the most unusual and surprising facts about him, from his childhood and the spark of his boxing career through his time as heavyweight champion of the world.

An injured athlete returns to the town he swore he’d never call home again—only to discover he has a child with the one woman he couldn’t forget Chase Huxley has spent years avoiding Orange Valley. His soccer career took him far away, and that’s exactly how he wanted it. But an unexpected injury and a legal matter force him back to the hometown he swore he’d never return to—only to discover the biggest surprise of his life. Whitney Mitchell never expected to see Chase again, let alone tell him the secret she’s kept for twelve years. Their one night together was supposed to be ...

Given his legacy, many Americans today believe Jackie Robinson was the first Black man to play in Major League Baseball, but that answer is wrong. As far back as the late 19th century, there had been professional baseball leagues that were every bit as segregated as any other aspect of society, but before that, there were, for a brief shining moment, teams of Black and White men playing with and against each other. One of the first Black men to play on such a team was Moses Fleetwood Walker, and he was the first who openly identified as Black.

The American boxing champ and vocal civil rights activist Muhammad Ali is the 27th hero in the New York Times best-selling picture book biography series for ages 5 to 8. Muhammad Ali was the leading heavyweight boxer of the 20th century and a charismatic, beloved public figure. His objection to the military draft during the Vietnam War made him an icon for a generation, and his impact in sports and the Civil Rights movement is still felt today.

In Frontline Bodies, Nicolas Martin-Breteau argues that sports are not—and have never been—purely about entertainment for Black Americans. Instead, beginning in the 1890s during Reconstruction, Black Americans proactively used athletics as a tactic to fight racial oppression. Martin-Breteau considers the work of Edwin B. Henderson, a prominent Black physical educator, civil rights activist, and historian of Black sports.

Discover the inspiring story of Jesse Owens - African American track-and-field athlete and Olympic gold medalist - in this fascinating kids' biography. Jesse Owens is one of the most famous athletes of all time, but he experienced discrimination throughout his athletic career, such as having to stay at a different hotel to his teammates, because of the color of his skin. However, he went on to win an incredible four gold medals at the Berlin 1936 Olympic Games.

Conoce al hombre que cambió el juego para siempre. Michael Jordan siempre ha sido competitivo, incluso de pequeño luchaba por llamar la atención. Su necesidad de ser el mejor lo convirtió en un jugador estrella de su equipo de baloncesto universitario y lo ayudó a convertirse en una leyenda de la NBA, tanto por sus habilidades como por sus promociones. Su contrato con Nike para las zapatillas de baloncesto Air Jordan sentó un precedente inigualable para los atletas profesionales.

Simone Biles was raised by her grandparents and had to overcome many hardships as a child. After trying gymnastics for the first time on a field trip from elementary school, Simone continued with the sport, working hard and reaching professional levels. She persisted in the field and went on to become the most decorated US gymnast of all time. Through it all, she inspired kids everywhere to follow their dreams.

Two days before Super Bowl XLI in 2007, the game's two opposing head coaches posed with the trophy one of them would hoist after the contest. It was a fairly unremarkable event, except that both coaches were African American - a fact that was as much of a story as the game itself. As Jeremi Duru reveals in Advancing the Ball, this unique milestone resulted from the work of a determined group of people whose struggles to expand head coaching opportunities for African Americans ultimately changed the National Football League.

Seen around the world, John Carlos and Tommie Smith’s Black Power salute on the 1968 Olympic podium sparked controversy and career fallout. Yet their show of defiance remains one of the most iconic images of Olympic history and the Black Power movement. Here is the remarkable story of one of the men behind the salute, lifelong activist, John Carlos.

In the 1930s, Monroe, Louisiana, was a town of 26,000 in the northeastern corner of the state, an area described by the

New Orleans Item as the "lynch law center of Louisiana." Yet for a few years in the early 1930s, this unlikely spot was home to the Monarchs, a national-caliber Negro League baseball team. Crowds of Black and White fans eagerly filled their segregated grandstand seats to see the players who would become the only World Series team Louisiana would ever generate, and the first from the American South.

A history of the activism and achievement of African American athletes from Jesse Owens to Serena Williams to Colin Kaepernick, who advanced the cause of social justice through their outspokenness, commitment, and integrity. Muhammad Ali refused to fight in a war he believed was immoral. Wilma Rudolph retired from track and field to campaign for civil rights. Taking a Knee, Taking a Stand tells their stories and the stories of other prominent African American male and female athletes who often risked their careers to fight racial discrimination and promote social justice.

Break Point has descriptive copy which is not yet available from the Publisher.

The first week of school becomes a “Week of Hell” when forced busing divides a small southern town during the integration of its school system. The actions of a third-string football player do more than all of the politicians and educators put together to ease the pain of coming together.

In ROMANCE: QUICKIES (Nicole's Encounter - 12), Nicole is hot off an unforgettable encounter with a cocky rival attorney, which kicks her determination into high gear. She’s going to bed more men than her friends, damn it, come hell or high water! When an interesting client arrives at her office for a divorce consultation, she sets her sights on him with renewed vigor. He doesn’t know what hits him...or does he? Nicole’s neatly organized office will never be the same again... Seven friends living in New York City. One unusual competition. Who can have the most intimate encounters in a...

Donte wishes he were invisible. As one of the few Black boys at his school, he feels as if he is constantly swimming in whiteness. Most of the students don't look like him. They don't like him either. Dubbed the 'Black Brother', Donte's teachers and classmates make it clear they wish he were more like his lighter skinned brother, Dre. When an incident with a white student leads to Donte's arrest and suspension, he's sure the only way to get even is to beat the student at the school's most valued game: fencing.

I came to win by any means necessary. I’m in San Diego for my team’s championship game. The entire season has brought us to this pivotal moment where our future careers are on the line. I must maintain focus, but my carefully orchestrated plans go awry when Yvette Durel shows up unannounced. I’ve been in love with my best friend since high school, and the friend zone has become a prison. I. Want. Out. Despite this, old fears and secrets threaten to ruin the relationship that is within my grasp. The stakes are high on and off the field, but I not only play hard but also for keeps. I am...

For the love of the game meant something different to Beau Kallahan. He never wanted to stop playing football, never wanted to be off the field of battle. But what happens when that battle leaves you on the sidelines broken and battered. Can you recover? Can you come back? Do you want to especially when the woman who fought for you, when you couldn't fight for yourself, reenters your life and keeps up the fight and shows you a new way to love and battle

In The World’s Fastest Man, years in the writing, investigative journalist Michael Kranish reveals new information about Major Taylor based on a rare interview with his daughter and other never-before-uncovered details from Taylor’s life. Kranish shows how Taylor indeed became a world champion, travelled the world, was the toast of Paris, and was one of the most chronicled black men of his day.

Since little league, Jalen Mitchell had only three goals, play professional baseball, win a World Series, and be inducted into the hall of fame. After four years in the pros, he was accomplishing that lofty dream by becoming rookie pitcher of the year and winning a World Series. It wasn’t until his fifth year in the league, his game started slipping. As his statistics worsened, his manager decided to demote Jalen to the AAA affiliate team to regain his confidence. The move to the different league doesn’t work, as Jalen remains in a downward spiral. Depressed, Jalen thought his dream was...