Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Banned Books Week launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores, and libraries. The week highlights the value of free and open access to information.
According to the ALA, over 729 book “challenges” were tracked at various libraries, schools, and universities in 2021.
Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and express all ideas. Banned Books Week 2022 will be held from September 18th to 24th. The theme of this year’s event is “Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us.” MahoganyBooks is highlighting several banned titles by Black authors as they specially specialize in books written for, by, or about people do the African Diaspora whose books are often overlooked.
“Many literary works are banned from school libraries under the guise they are teaching critical race theory. However, most banned books don’t teach critical race theory but are written by and about people of color. Censorship makes books more inaccessible to marginalized groups, especially youth of color. They need the positive self-reflection and representation to find community support, validation, and even inspiration,” said Derrick and Ramunda Young, founders and owners of MahoganyBooks.
MahoganyBooks aims to promote reading, writing, and cultural awareness as tools to improve self-esteem, self-love, and, ultimately, our communities. Learn more about Banned Black Books at www.bannedblackbooks.com.
MahoganyBooks Banned Black Book Resources
- Read the full MahoganyBooks Banned Black Books press release.
- Download & print our cool PDF poster of some of the most challenged banned black books that you can hang in your office, dorm room or favorite reading area.
- Check out our full list of Banned Black Books and purchase your favorite.
Here are some of our featured Banned Black Books below.
MahoganyBooks Banned Black Books
Each of the books appearing above are books that are specially mentioned in the ALA’s national tracking of banned or challenged books. Click on any book in the gallery to learn more about that title.
Looking for more Banned Black Books? Check out this our full list of banned black books here.
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