5 Books to Read for Juneteenth – Straight from San Antonio’s Carver Library
At Culture Speaks, we believe books are a passport to memory, freedom, and vision.
Juneteenth is more than a celebration—it’s a call to remember, reflect, and rise. Whether you’re rooted in San Antonio or visiting for the city’s vibrant Juneteenth events, we invite you to stop by the historic Carver Library and explore its rich African American Studies collection. As one of the city's cultural gems, the Carver Library has long been a sanctuary for Black stories and Black learning.
To honor Juneteenth, we’ve curated 5 powerful reads you can check out at the Carver Library (or grab at your local Black-owned bookstore) that speak to the themes of freedom, resistance, and Black excellence. Let these books guide your reflection this season.
1. Lighting the Fires of Freedom: African American Women in the Civil Rights Movement
By Janet Dewart Bell
This collection of oral histories lifts up the often-overlooked voices of Black women who fueled the civil rights movement. Through firsthand accounts, Bell introduces us to organizers, strategists, and freedom fighters whose stories don’t always make it into mainstream history books—but should. Perfect for readers wanting to understand Juneteenth through the lens of Black women’s leadership and legacy.
2. The Black Cabinet: The Untold Story of African Americans and Politics During the Age of Roosevelt
By Jill Watts
Did you know that during FDR’s presidency, a group of Black advisors quietly shaped federal policy from behind the scenes? This book dives into the “Black Cabinet”—a group of African American leaders who challenged segregation and shaped national policy during the New Deal era. It’s a must-read for understanding the long fight for racial equity in America’s political institutions.
3. Carry On: Reflections for a New Generation
By John Lewis
A timeless and deeply moving collection of essays from the late Congressman and civil rights icon, John Lewis. Part memoir, part love letter to the future, Lewis offers wisdom and hope to a new generation of changemakers. It’s a perfect Juneteenth read—reminding us that freedom is both a right and a responsibility.
4. The Bridge to Brilliance: How One Principal in a Tough Community Is Inspiring the World
By Nadia Lopez
Lopez, the visionary educator behind the viral hashtag #WhyIStay, shares the story of founding Mott Hall Bridges Academy in Brownsville, Brooklyn—one of the most underserved neighborhoods in America. Her story speaks to resilience, faith, and the radical power of education. A brilliant reminder that building freedom also means building institutions that affirm Black children.
5. Better, Not Bitter: Living on Purpose in the Pursuit of Justice
By Dr. Yusef Salaam
One of the Exonerated Five, Yusef Salaam was wrongly imprisoned at 15 years old. In this powerful memoir, he reflects on injustice, faith, and purpose. Instead of becoming bitter, Salaam chose to transform his pain into power. His words are a deeply personal meditation on what it means to be free—and to fight for others to be free, too.
Visit the Carver Library:
3350 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX
Explore their Black Studies section, attend an event, or simply sit in the space and reflect. It’s more than a library—it’s a legacy.
Want more Juneteenth reflections, recaps, and reads?
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Let us know: What are YOU reading for Juneteenth? Drop your book recommendations or tag us on IG @juneteenthbxcounty.
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