Books in the Leader Like Us picture-book series introduce Black Americans who excelled in their fields. Written with clarity and organized logically, each volume focuses on one notable individual. The large-format volumes are frighted with Quartey’s illustrations, which use simplified forms and unusual color combinations effectively. In Cathy Hughes, readers meet media-maven Hughes, whose childhood love of radio led her to broadcasting, ownership of a radio station that reflected her community’s interests, and developing and leading media company with radio and TV stations offering a Black perspective. Frederick O’Neal traces the story of this actor who moved to New York City during the Harlem Renaissance and made his mark on the stage, in movies, and in television. Georgia Gilmore tells of a cook who supported the 1955-1956 Montgomery Bus Boycott by leading a group of anonymous volunteers who perorated and sold food to support the cause with much-needed funds. O.W. Gurley introduces a businessman who, beginning in 1905, used his wealth to develop the Greenwood district (known as “Black Wall Street”) in Tulsa. Gurley survived the 1921 race massacre, but much of Gus work went up in smoke. This well-conceived series delivers attractive, very readable biographies of lesser-known Black achievers who made significant contributions to American broadcasting, business, theatre, and civil rights.
- Carolyn Phelan, Booklist
