Must-read Historical Fiction Novels About Black Women

A collection of ten historical fiction novels celebrates Black women whose significant contributions were often overlooked or erased from mainstream history. These books, written by contemporary African-American authors, tell the stories of real trailblazers ranging from literary editors and opera singers to fashion designers, real estate moguls, and even royalty. The narratives span from the antebellum era through the Civil Rights Movement, covering figures like Harlem Renaissance editor Jessie Redmon Fauset, opera singer Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, and Oscar-winner Hattie McDaniel.