February is Black History Month, and as we honor the history of Black Americans who have dedicated their lives to advancing equality, we also must look to what comes next.

When Black History Month first originated in the 1920s, the world was both completely different and strikingly the same. Since then, some of the nation’s greatest people have paved the way for equality. And yet, there is more work to be done.

This month and every month, it is our duty to build upon the work of those before us. One of the ways to do this is through reading, particularly the words of Black authors. Books give a comprehensive experience of the subject at hand. When it comes to equitable health innovation, this understanding — and compassion — is key.

Here are 5 books written by Black authors to support your learning, strengthen your commitments, and reinvigorate your passion this Black History Month.

---

Race After Technology: Abolitionist Tools for the New Jim Code

Keywords: AI, algorithms, data, design, Black communities

In healthcare innovation, technology promises to be the future, even leading to better health outcomes. But with the rise of AI, many are wondering how this and other technologies impact an already discriminatory world.

Ruha Benjamin’s book highlights her concept of the “New Jim Code,” including how the tech industry reinforces racial inequities in a hidden and often manipulative way.

---

Check out Ruha Benjamin’s book in the resource library.

---

Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism

Keywords: AI, algorithms, Black communities, design, racial equity, technology, women

Search engines play a central role in many people’s personal and professional lives. But they also reflect a culture of racism and sexism that leads to data discrimination within these tools. Safiya Umoja Noble’s book shows how search engines privilege whiteness while also discriminating against people of color, particularly women of color.

---

Check out Safiya Umoja Noble’s book in the resource library.

---

Room at the Table: A Leader’s Guide to Advancing Health Equity and Justice

Keywords: health equity, women, public health, health care leadership

The term health equity is commonplace in health care settings, but the meaning behind it is often taken for granted. Instead of assuming how health equity plays a role in public health and health innovation, Dr. Renée Branch Canady’s book offers insights into how leaders in the healthcare space can enact real change, lead with authenticity, and pave the way for advancing equitable health innovation.

---

Check out Dr. Renée Branch Canady’s book in the resource library.

---

Healing Justice Lineages: Dreaming at the Crossroads of Liberation, Collective Care, and Safety

Keywords: health equity, Black communities, racial equity, women, innovation

With a collection of stories and testimonials, authors Cara Page and Erica Woodland harness the power of innovation in the past to move forward in health equity. They explore ancestral medicinal and healing approaches in communities that have endured and survived genocide and oppression, using these stories to encourage communities to come together in the name of equitable health innovation.

---

Check out Cara Page and Erica Woodland’s book in the resource library.

---

Data-Driven DEI: The Tools and Metrics You Need to Measure, Analyze, and Improve Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Keywords: data, DEI, health equity, Black communities, racial equity, innovation

Dr. Randal Pinkett is a thought leader in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). In his book, he offers a guide to assess the current state of your DEI initiatives and use data to create a plan for the future. These strategies are proven to address bias, foster innovation, and measure progress, making this book a valuable resource among healthcare professionals and leaders.

---

Check out Dr. Randal Pinkett’s book in the resource library.

---