Thank you NetGalley for an advance reader copy of this book. This is one of those books where it's clear that a lot of painstaking research went on behind the scenes. I was blown away at the array of experts that were able to come together to argue for a more equitable society and how we get there. This book touched nearly every issue in society from climate change and education, to health care and the economy. I also appreciate that an array of viewpoints by experts was included in this book. That really helps foster discourse and conversation about the best path forward. Such a great feat of research and I recommend this to anyone who is interested in a more just society.

What an absolute privilege to be able to read this book! Reading this book has been a learning and eye-opening experience and also a humbling one. It presents information and solutions, it is a manual to continuing how systems of oppression continue unchecked and how can we stop them. Everyone should read this book. Everyone!

This is an important book for everyone to read, especially privileged people such as myself. As with any collections of essays, some were more enlightening than others but all addressed the critical racial issues facing America and provided a variety of solution proposals. As the author stated in the acknowledgements, if a small percentage of these ideas were implemented we would be making significant progress. Highly recommended

This book felt like sitting in a community circle talking with peers about what is broken and how to fix it.

If only my peers were this informed.

Hence, the extreme value of the book.

I love the structure of it specifically how it’s categorized.

Little essays chunked together in broad strokes but left upon their own to shine.

Each essay is able to get as specific as it wants which overwhelming screams diversity.

Not because these essays are written by black authors, but because it shows spectrums and shades beyond race that make us both like so many others and make us spectacularly unique.

I found myself saying out loud
“That’s for damn sure”

I loved and appreciated all of the ideas brought forth in these essays. They give great examples of not only what could be done but also how to do it and why.

I found myself throughout the week tilling these ideas in my head. I know there are problems, and now I know a few more but overwhelmingly there are solutions. And part of getting to those solutions is giving voice to those who have been silenced. This book does that.

10/10 recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for this advanced copy in both ebook and physical arc!

I received an ARC from the publisher and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
This is a fabulous essay collection highlighting important issues across several different areas in society where Black people experience barriers due to systemic racism. While I was familiar with some issues, like the fight for voting rights, and the way the COVID-19 pandemic as impacted the Black community, I appreciated deeper insight into those topics, as well others I did not consider, like the climate crisis. I also appreciate the diversity of the voices showcased, and how the essayists bring different experiences to the table as a result. The experiences shared by Tinu Abayomi-Paul about being a Black disabled woman spoke to me, as I’m also disabled, and I was struck by the similarities in the things she discussed that impacted her and what I had experienced, but also how the additional factor of her also being Black adds to the marginalization, especially with the way certain token Black women have been put on pedestals as examples of excellence.
This collection is fabulous, and I would absolutely recommend it.

The Black Agenda by Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman is one that I was not aware of and have not seen much about it. I know that will be changing once this book is published! This is a collection of essays presented by various researchers in their fields of study. As written in the Forward, this book offers "...solutions that aim to transform our country while proposing ways to uproot systemic racism" while honoring Black identity. The essay topics include Climate, Health care, wellness, education, technology, criminal justice, economy, and public policy. One of my favorite parts discusses children's literature.. "The value of Black children's literature is that it holds the power to encourage and influence all children to think and act in ways that value individual and cultural identities and to respect differences among people." Powerful statement! This is an important book to start, continue and further the conversation to find a way to forward the conversation in our world. Make sure you do not skip the Forward and the Introduction as they both set the stage and frame your thinking as you read the essays. Very thought provoking book that will be a great addition to my office bookshelf! Perfect for high school students too! Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommend this book!

This was a very insightful collection of essays about various topics written by leading Black experts in their fields. I loved reading the perspectives from their point of views because they not only addressed it on a national/global level, but specifically how they impact ALL OF US. I’ve always felt that when things like reducing carbon foot prints and conservation efforts alienated doesn’t do a good job of addressing how things like solar energy, electric cars, and wind energy aren’t exactly high on the list of priorities to people who live in communities that are struggling with other social issues such as poverty, inadequate healthcare, food apartheid, racism, etc.
I think that this is a really good book for anyone who considers themselves to be “woke” and an ally.

Great guide for those who want to be activists or allies but don't know where to start. Lots of info from actual experts in the field of law, criminal justice and health care along with political activism. Great resource.

This book does an excellent job of pulling together a variety of voices to share how the challenges of our time specifically affect Black people and most importantly there are proposed actions that can make a real difference. If you're hoping to round out your viewpoint by seeing the world through eyes different than your own, or if you want to hear proposed solutions from those that are most affected this is a great read for you.

I want to give this book to everyone I know. Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman has done something really revolutionary with The Black Agenda. We hear from brilliant academics and activists about what led us to the realities we face now, how we can better understand the past so we can actually create tangible change for the future, the bold and tireless moves we need to make to do that, and resources to help us continue the conversation within ourselves and in our communities.

I need a physical copy the moment it’s released so I can annotate this one! I’m pretty sure I’ll mark up at least one thing on every single page. Pure brilliance, pure power are living in these pages. I’m so grateful that I got to read this. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this advance copy!

The Black Agenda, a compilation of essays by Black authors, is a wake-up call for all who wish to be allies. All too often, well-meaning allies think they know what minorities need. We need to keep our mouths closed and our thoughts to ourselves and look to the real experts in the field instead.

This book provides the guidance we need. Black scholars, advocates, and visionaries delineate the problems and solutions from an authentic point of view. We need to take the time to read and listen. This will lead to better understanding and help us become better allies. True allies don't just march a few times in protest. They make expanding their knowledge and understanding a life-long practice.

The Black Agenda's "agenda" is to expose you to black voices talking about important topics, such as health care, education, climate change and incarceration. While these topics affect all Americans, they often affect black and brown people to a greater extent. Too often we only hear the opinions of and research done by white Americans, even about how these issues and crises are affecting black and brown people.

I found myself wanting more information than just what was offered in these short essays, but I also appreciate this form of literature. It made this book easier to read in short chunks during the day, and I felt I learned some interesting things I didn't know in every section.

THE BLACK AGENDA isn't casual reading. Every one of these chapters reads like a journal article, so adjust your expectations accordingly. At one point the editor describes the book as a "big policy proposal inclusive of bold ideas as told through the lens of Black experts, communicators, activists, and organizers," and I think that's a pretty good description.

The book focuses on eight areas that need our attention if we really want a more equitable society: climate, health care, wellness, education, tech, criminal justice, economy, and public policy. Each section has three to five essays written by different experts offering perspective, history, suggestions, or even just wishes for change. Initially, I thought the book was more focused on fantasy "wish lists" and too vague on concrete changes we can make to push our country in a more fair and inclusive direction. But I was wrong. The more specific advice is there if you take the the time to dig in. I could write synopses of each chapter, but meh. Instead I'll list my favorite takeaways.

Black women are still being ignored in the BLM movement. We talk about men who are killed or incarcerated, but do we lift up and support the women and families who are left behind? Great point.

I had no idea that racism and bias was a problem in tech and especially Artificial Intelligence. Even something as simple as facial recognition software not being as "intelligent" with the details of brown skin vs. peach skin can be harmful--if police are looking for a suspect, but the suspect looks like "any brown man," then suddenly an entire community of innocent people become suspicious.

Some concrete action steps that could decrease inequality:
--expand Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act and/or consider national health insurance
--increase investment in infrastructure
--support unionization among workers, especially workers in the care professions
--increase the minimum wage for disabled and tipped workers
--consider a public banking system
--provide free broadband services (this feels key to me)
--forgive student loan debts for people under a certain income level

THE BLACK AGENDA is a dense and detailed read, but if you put in the time and focus, there's a lot of good perspective, hope, and advice within these pages.

This book is powerful & informative. Each essay gives personal insight into the topic then provides some realistic solutions to the issue. After each insight is a complete list of sources that you can go to & dive deeper into a topic if you are so inclined. I enjoyed the layout of this book & the ease with which it flowed within each topic. Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This non-fiction book provides a welcome, highly readable collection of short essays addressing the systemic racism levied towards African-Americans in several areas, notably health care, socioeconomic conditions, housing, and education. The text is highly excerptable--I can imagine easily adopting it in a classroom situation, in order to provide essential background readings that help establish context for themes addressed in my course addressing the voices of minorities in America: racism, police brutality, inadequate access to resources. The book provides valuable, and possibly eye-opening information for a readership who might not fully grasp the gravity of these social problems, due to their privileged position.

The Black Agenda is just what I thought it was and what I needed...at this time. As many continue to tackle institutional, systemic racist/white supremacist practices, "The Black Agenda" provides a Black perspective to many of these fields, including climate change, education, artificial intelligence, the VERY FLAWED criminal justice system, and more. This book provides many calls to action that America needs at this time. I even appreciate the agendas being introduced before experts in the field add their research and calls to action. I will be purchasing this for my classroom and even some people in my life. #StayWoke

This book is an absolute must-read. I'm honestly not really sure how else to review a book this important, but to simply say, "read it, read it now."

An amazing and eye-opening read about race…a good read to learn from in these times. Learning about how things are viewed is the first step in understanding and moving towards better relationships. This book can set the stage for that first step.

The Black Agenda is the first book I have seen that uses essays by experts all over to give us a perspective on issues we may not be aware of and if we are aware and just want to know more and what to do to effect change, it’s perfect.

There are so many issues addressed here. From mental health to climate change. This subject of police brutality and a culture of racism in every aspect of society. The inequalities and injustices against people of color. Even the question of infant and mother health issues.

If there is to be any hope for America, it needs to begin with true equality for all people. This is truly one of the best books I have read this year.

NetGalley/February 1st, 2022 by St. Martin’s Press

When I saw the title here on netgalley I knew I needed to give this book a read. The collection of essays presented in this book were informative on so many levels. I did find myself having to re read some sections, but did not find this to be a deterant. This book provided the much needed factual perspective of topics I have not thought hard on before. It really helped to further remind me and validate the privilege I grew up with and where we still neede to grow as a society.