Just Us Books

We’re raising our voices for the students of Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN!

Register here to join this virtual author event, Tuesday, March 10, 11 am Eastern/10 am Central

pen.org/event/we-ris...

If you’re like us, you celebrate Black history all year long!

Be sure to check out these and others great titles from our Black history collection — important reading for February and beyond.

#BlackHistoryMonth

justusbooks.com/black-histor...

On Sat., Feb. 21, Just Us Books is hosting a Black History Month Read-In and Book Fair in East Orange, NJ.

Picture reading nooks, book signings, Black history activities, readings by authors and students, and books for young people of all ages!

Join us! www.facebook.com/share/1853uB...

We invite you to join our founders, Wade and Cheryl Hudson for a very special conversation with fellow publisher W. Paul Coates, CEO and founder of Black Classic Press

Sunday, Nov. 9, 6 pm Eastern

Register below.

us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

EveryLibrary Live! Banned Books 2025 Calendar Join EveryLibrary Live! for Banned Books Week Fest 2025, a free online celebration featuring 25+ authors, editors, and advocates in bold conversations about storytelling, censorship, and the freedom t...

Wade and Cheryl Hudson join EveryLibrary Live! for Banned Books Week Fest 2025, ft authors, editors, and advocates in convo about the freedom to read.

Save the date for their panel Fri, Oct. 10, 1 pm EST and check out the full lineup ⬇️

www.everylibrary.org/everylibrary...

14 episodes, 15 guests, countless gems!

Revisit powerful conversation with talented writers, illustrators, editors, booksellers, educators, librarians and others who help get books into the hands of readers.

▶️ www.youtube.com/channel/UCCv...

Thank you to all the amazing teachers who help our students learn and grow! 💐

(Image copyright Nancy Devard, published in the book Afro-Bets I’m Going to Be, written by Wade Hudson, published by Just Us Books)

#TeacherAppreciationWeek

In The Children's Book Council’s Publisher’s Spotlight, our founders Wade and Cheryl Hudson talk about Just Us Books’ mission, titles they think deserve a bit more shine, and their publishing priorities for the future.

Thanks for the spotlight CBC!

www.cbcbooks.org/2025/04/09/p...

Smiling photo of author Emely Rumble standing with left elbow resting on a bookcase.

today on the blog: Emely Rumble, LCSW " To me, bibliotherapy is a form of liberation. It’s a deeply relational, sacred practice that uses literature to support healing, support the development of self-understanding, and affirm one’s lived experience."

pearlsandrubys.slj.com/2025/04/10/i...

A poster by the American Library Association illustrating an open book with the words Let Freedom Read on the pages.

Spotted at one of our local libraries - Newark Public Library

#FreedomtoRead
#LibraryWeek

Join us in celebrating — and defending — the freedoms found in our libraries this National Library Week and #RighttoReadDay

Check out the resources here:

uniteagainstbookbans.org/right-to-rea...

Black and white side profile of Mari Evans with ‘speak the truth to the people’ in white text

Excerpt text: “Speak the truth to the people Talk sense to the people Free them with reason Free them with honesty Free the people with Love and Courage and Care for their Being...” from “Speak The Truth To The People” published in Continuum: New and Selected Poems by Mari Evans

Cover of the book Continuum: New and Selected Poems by Mari Evans. Mari is pictured smiling, standing in front of a bookcase full of books

“Speak the truth to the people
Talk sense to the people
Free them with reason
Free them with honesty
Free the people with Love
and Courage and Care for
their Being...”

from “Speak The Truth To The People” published in Continuum: New and Selected Poems by Mari Evans

#PoetryMonth

YouTube video by PBS KIDS Ms. V & Me! | Buttons and Racecars | PBS KIDS

Congrats to Vanessa Brantley Newton who is bringing her many talents and amazing energy to @pbskids

Ms. V & Me! invites children to create art, tell stories, and sing songs along with Vanessa (Ms. V) in her studio. Watch, enjoy and spread the word!

youtu.be/CwASc2Re3Is

I 🤎 @thebrownbookshelf.bsky.social They're on my blog today!
pearlsandrubys.slj.com/2025/02/28/2...

A photo of Frederick Douglass wearing a suit and tie

“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”
- Frederick Douglass

In solidarity.

#Economicblackout

NYC friends - join Cheryl Willis Hudson and London Ladd as they present their new picture book, When I Hear Spirituals, along with music by the Lafayette Inspirational Ensemble.

Sunday, Feb. 23, 4 - 5 pm at Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church in Fort Greene

Presented by Greenlight Bookstore

Doing the Work

DOING THE WORK!

We’re lifting up institutions that have made sharing our stories their mission. Black-owned publishing companies that celebrate Black people, Black culture, and Black history in their books all year round.

#BlackSky #BookSky

justusbooks.blogspot.com/2025/02/doin...

A black and white photo of the Hudsons during a 1989 product shot for their new books

The Hudsons at the Just Us Books booth during the 2024 Bologna Children’s Book Fair

This is Black History!

Decades ago Wade and Cheryl Hudson were parents on a search for children's books that reflected the diversity of Black history, culture and experiences. Today their publishing company, Just Us Books, is celebrating 36 years in business!

justusbooks.com

#BlackSky #BookSky

Children’s books for Black History Month and beyond - all available from Just Us Books or your favorite bookseller.

Video by @katurahudson.bsky.social

#BookSky #BlackSky #BlackHistoryMonth

A black and white photo of Frederick Douglass, wearing a suit and bow tie

Frederick Douglass’s 2000-book library. Pictured is a wooden and glass bookshelf that spans an entire wall

“Once you learn to read, you will be forever be free.” - abolitionist, writer Frederick Douglass, born in 1818.

Like many who were born enslaved, he did not know his birth date. He later chose to celebrate it on Feb. 14.

📷 His 2000-book library at the Frederick Douglass National Historical site

Day 12: Jennifer Baker - The Brown Bookshelf Jennifer Baker is an author and editor/project manager with over 20 years’ experience in book publishing. She’s also the creator/host of the Minorities in Publishing podcast, and has been a faculty me...

You need to know about @jbakernyc.bsky.social

thebrownbookshelf.com/28days/day-1...

For Black History Month a few years ago, we curated a list of 50 Black kidlit creators who should be on your radar and your bookshelf. Still stands. 😊

#BlackSky #BookSky

justusbooks.blogspot.com/2022/01/cele...

We’re giving away our Black History Handbook — a great resource for educators, parents, and program leaders.

Sign up today to receive your copy in our next newsletter. ⬇️

mailchi.mp/c21a7caeb4e4...

Gaining Ground? Diversity in Publishing Progress toward a more racially diverse publishing workforce has been slow. Publishing leaders face political and economic changes that may make further progress harder.

An important piece in School Library Journal about diversity in book publishing and the challenges we face moving forward —featuring insights from our co-founder Wade Hudson. www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/gainin...

Celebrating Black Joy!

The Children’s Book Council and Every Child a Reader lift up the power of storytelling this #BlackHistoryMonth & beyond.

Check out their feature on bestselling kidlit creators and their inspiring books.

www.cbcbooks.org/readers/read...

#BookSky

For the 18th year The Brown Bookshelf’s “28 Days Later” Black History Month campaign is celebrating Black authors and illustrators. Check out their daily profiles, presented in partnership with Black Stories Amplified.

thebrownbookshelf.com

YouTube video by awetblackbough Langston Hughes reads The Negro Speaks of Rivers

We love Langston!

Hear Langston Hughes (born on this day in 1901) read his poem “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”

m.youtube.com/watch?v=5mFp...

Happy Black History Month!!

“February is a reminder that Black history should be an integral part of American and world history. It is something that we celebrate all year round.”

- Wade and Cheryl Hudson
founders, Just Us Books

photo: Stephan Hudson

A color photo of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. He is wearing a dark blue suit and is slightly smiling

"We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action." #MLK

Again, libraries are stepping up.

Free N95 masks at all #LAPL locations while supplies last.

Also: emergency information and resources.

lapl.org/be-ready?fbc...