In honor of Black History Month 2025, the library has updated its resource guide spotlighting the impact of Black communities and artists in the Performing Arts. This curated list acts as a starting point for discovering the rich histories, contributions, transformations, and creative expressions of Black artists in dance, drama, and music.
The selected titles are compilations on topics centered around Black artists; many more sources on individual artists may be found in the library catalog under their respective names.
Several of these resources overlap with our other research guides. For more details on these intersections, we invite you to explore: Resources for the Repertoire: Composer Diversity and Music by Black Composers.
As always, the library welcomes your requests and suggestions.
compiled by Jane Gottlieb, February 2004;
updated February 2007; with additions November 2007;
audio resources added February 2016 by Eric Mortensen
updated February 2016, January 2017, January 2018, January 2019, January 2020, February 2021,January 2022, and January 2023 by David Snow; updated February 2025 by Olivia Buck.
The Birth of Breaking: Hip-Hop History from the Floor Up by Serouj Aprahamian
Blacksound: Making Race and Popular Music in the United States by Matthew D. Morrison
Well of Souls: Uncovering the Banjo's Hidden History by Krista R. Gaddy
What a Difference a Day Makes: African American Women Who Conquered 1950s Music by Steve Bergsman
