The 'Raising Anti-Racist Kids' Gift Guide

This book, co-written by one of the most respected experts on antiracism of our generation, Ibram X Kendi, is a great one for your little ones. Ashley Lukashevsky illustrated the book with her trademark style of infusing relatable art with activism. It’s an easy read for parents and makes a great addition your nightly book rotation. ($8.99, Mahogany Books)

I love board books for babies because they get to touch and feel the pages. This little board book by Mahogany L Browne is a cute take on getting ready that’s sure to be a hit for your kid. Follow the path of waking up to seize a day of activism and fighting for what’s right, from the perspective of a little baby. ($4, Black Baby Books)

This meditation app was created by the author of the Antiracism Daily Instagram account (which I highly recommend for adults). She launched a meditation app for kids of color. I’m a huge fan of meditation for kids because they need all the help we can give them to develop mindful coping skills. My son does breathing exercises every night before he goes to bed and he loves it. There's a free version which offers 20 to 25 practices organized on the app homepage, or you can subscribe for $6.99/month. Content is provided in English and Spanish.

Hair Love, by Matthew Cherry, is one of my favorite books that I actually received as a gift from one of my mentees. She bought it before my little girl was born because she knew how big I am on self love especially pertaining to hair. This adorable story is a great way to talk about Black hair and instill self love for Black kids as well as educate white and non-Black people of color about the realities of Black hair. ($17.99, Mahogany Books)

I’ve started to help my son grow his collection of great art. Even though we can only afford prints for now, the power of surrounding him with affirming images of Black kids is a priority for me. This print is a bit on the pricey end but the images are stunning. Kadir Nelson is a brilliant artist and has done artwork featuring Black people for many magazine covers so you’re sure to recognize a few. Limited edition gicleé prints start at $405.

My partner introduced me to the Brown Toy Box and I fell in love with the idea. It’s a monthly subscription box that you can sign your kids up for. All of their boxes include a book on a Black trailblazer or child hero, a hands-on project for children to test and learn, and some other fun activity or edible, all based on a specific STEAM theme. It’s so important for Black kids to see themselves in a wide variety of career paths. Each box is $34.99, plus $5 for shipping. Subscriptions may be stopped at any time.

I can’t stress enough the importance of Black kids seeing themselves reflected in their toys. These cute puzzles all feature Black kids. This is a great gift for a toddler who is just getting into puzzles because the pieces are chunky and fun.

This print was the second piece of art that I bought for my son. It hangs in his play area to remind him that in every kid is a little bit of superhero. He loves Black Panther and it was such a beautiful image of what Chadwick Boseman meant to Black kids around the world. This print is also reasonably priced so it’s a great entryway into Black art for your little ones or even your big ones who are Black Panther fans. ($120, nikkolas.art)

We got this book, by Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney, as a gift from a friend and read it often to our son. It explains the power of protest in effecting change in a way that’s kid-appropriate and still timely. Even though sit-ins may involve violence, this book addresses it in a way that is appropriate for a discussion with a kid. ($18.99, Mahogany Books)

I lived in New York for close to 20 years so my heart will always beat for its vibrancy. This shop in Harlem sells the most amazing Black art on t-shirts. Their Black Superman Tee ($45) is a great gift for that preteen or teen in your life that’s obsessed with superheroes. My son is specifically obsessed with Captain America so I can’t wait for him to grow into this Black Captain American Tee. Tees are a generally great gift for those preteens or teens that have everything or are difficult to shop for.

Representation in superhero movies is greatly lacking, so I love that this Black Wonder Woman Sweatshirt ($70) features a Black woman as the superhero. It’s critical that kids see themselves reflected in society around them. It’s affirming and can be powerful in them envisioning themselves as the heroes of their own stories.

It’s important that kids of all colors see that the Black experience isn’t just about racism and pain. It’s also about incredible creativity and joy and deep love. Duke Ellington is an example of that creativity. This prolific musician paved the way for so many others. This book by Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney, is a great gift for a kid who loves music. ($4-$7, AbeBooks.com)

My kids have been to so many protests in their short lives. Now, my son is so used to it, he does his own thing when he attends them. He sits in his stroller and eats snacks and just observes everything. This book by Kenneth Braswell can open the door to conversations about what protests really mean and why disruption is needed to effect change. ($20, fistoreonline.com)

I recently discovered the The Black Toy Store and they can just go ahead and take all my money. They have a wide selection of dolls, games, puzzles, toys and more all made by Black companies and highlighting the Black experience. I’ve heard so many parents say they don’t know where to find Black dolls. Well, here they are and they’re aplenty.