February EDI Corner - Black History Month

During Black History Month, let us be mindful of the centrality of African American history in U.S. history, as well as past and current attempts to erase or alter the teaching of Black history. Because antiracist action requires foundational historical knowledge, we provide a reading list below in an effort to build our capacity as Dental Public Health professionals to engage in antiracism. This list comprises works that highlight Black History and Black authors, and is provided for those wishing to build or deepen their knowledge. 

Additionally, as public health professionals, we need to remember and tell the stories of historical trauma committed against African Americans in medicine and public health, as well as celebrate and recognize past and current Black leaders in public health and related fields. Among many extraordinary Black leaders in Dental Public Health, this month we celebrate Dr. Caswell Evans, an incredible changemaker who has been studying and advocating for racial equity in oral health for decades. Dr. Evans has served in many leadership roles, including as Associate Dean at the University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry; Executive Editor and Project Director for the Oral Health in America: A Report of the U.S. Surgeon General; and Past President of the American Public Health Association, the American Board of Dental Public Health, and the American Association of Public Health Dentistry. AAPHD and our discipline has benefited greatly from his leadership.

Black History Month Reading/Watch List

    • The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hanna-Jones, and accompanying The 1619 Project: Born on the Water children’s book and The 1619 Project on Hulu
    • Caste and The Warmth of Other Suns, both by Isabel Wilkerson, and accompanying film Origin, directed by Ava DuVernay and based on Caste
    • The Color Purple by Alice Walker, and accompanying film adaptation
    • The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
    • Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine by Uché Blackstock
    • Under the Skin by Linda Villarosa
    • The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, and accompanying film adaptation
    • Rustin, drama/documentary film directed by George C. Wolfe
    • 13th, documentary film directed by Ava DuVernay
    • When They See Us, limited series based on a true story, executive produced by Ava DuVernay, Oprah, and others
    • The Tuskegee Airmen, film based on a true story, directed by Robert Markowitz
    • Harriet, film based on the story of Harriet Tubman, directed by Kasi Lemmons
    • Selma, historical drama film directed by Ava DuVernay
    • Hidden Figures, biographical drama film directed by Theodore Melfi