And so I thought what better way to do that than by bringing together some of the most distinguished Black writers to not only write that history, but also to be that history, to really say to history what Black people were thinking at the 400 year mark. IBRAM X KENDI: We were trying to think of a way to really capture 400 years of African American history while simultaneously commemorating this moment in time. How did this project come together? How did you meld your superpowers together to create this book?ĭR. SCOTT NEUMYER: I think that this book is going to become essential reading for many, many years. Browne, and many more, making it the must-read book of 2021.Īs Kendi and Blain prepared to set out on a virtual book tour with many of the authors from Four Hundred Souls, Shondaland chatted with the editorial duo via Zoom to discuss their new book, the amazing community of Black writers they’ve brought together, an optimistic outlook on the future, and so much more.

From historians and essayists to novelists and poets, Four Hundred Souls features writing from Nikole Hannah-Jones, Kiese Laymon, Alicia Garza, Imani Perry, Chet’la Sebree, Isabel Wilkerson, Mahogany L. Together, the seasoned editors have assembled an incredibly talented group of ninety Black writers, poets, and thinkers. Blain is the award-winning historian and author of Set the World on Fire: Black Nationalist Women and the Global Struggle for Freedom. Kendi is the best-selling author of Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America and How to be an Anti-Racist a National Book Award winner (for Stamped from the Beginning), and one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020. What to Watch During Black History Monthĭr.

Four Hundred Souls by Ibram X. Kendi