Racial Equity Resources for Educators
The Library is dedicated to promoting diversity, knowledge, and access to all equally—and promoting conversations in our communities about racial and social justice and understanding the lived experiences of others. Check out the resources below to help you navigate difficult conversations, challenge biases, and create an inclusive space for your students to process current events.
Library Resources
Schomburg Center's Black Liberation Reading List for Adults
Explore this list of 95 titles that celebrate Black culture, history, and experience, curated by the expert librarians at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Schomburg Center's Black Liberation Book List for Kids and Teens
A companion reading list for kids and teens that celebrates and fosters a better understanding of Black life and culture, chosen by the experts at the Schomburg Center.
A Race, Racism, and Revolution Reading List for Educators
Created by The New York Public Library School Support team, this list offers a selection of titles for students of all age that address race, racism, and resistance.
Discussion Questions for Anti-Racism Reading
Questions for classrooms and at-home discussions about titles from our book lists centering anti-racism, resistance, and social movements.
Teaching Anti-Racism: Digital Resources About Racism and Resistance
Find online resources to help teach the history of racism, the context for the current uprisings, and anti-racist activism—all available with a library card.
External Resources
WeTeachNYC on Civic Education and WeTeachNYC on Racism
WeTeachNYC is an online space for educators created by the NYC Department of Education. This site features curriculum resources, lesson plans, and more centered around a multitude of topics, including civic education and racism, as linked above.
Morningside Center Teachable Moment: Listening Circle for George Floyd
The Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility created an educator resource that provides suggestions on how to host a virtual listening circle for George Floyd.
Facing History and Ourselves
Teaching Tolerance: Resources on Race and Ethnicity
Teaching Tolerance showcases learning plans, articles, and other digital resources to support educators in exploring topics surrounding race and ethnicity, such as positive identity formation, white privilege, and systemic racism.
Anti-Defamation League: Engaging Young People in Conversations about Race and Racism
Anti-Defamation League teaches about racism, violence, inequity and the criminal justice system. They offer educational programming, training and resources for grades PreK-12, suggested book titles, and lessons plans.
New York Times Learning Network: Lesson of the Day
The New York Times Learning Network features a lesson using the article “‘I Can’t Breathe’: 4 Minneapolis Officers Fired After Black Man Dies in Custody” where students learn about the murder of George Floyd and are asked to respond and reflect.
Death of George Floyd Sets Off Massive Protests
A lesson for students about the killing of George Floyd from PBS Newshour.
Talking About Race from the National Museum for African American History and Culture
This resource is a comprehensive guide to discussing race with children and teens, touching on topics like bias, being anti-racist, and race and identity.
Anti-Racism For Kids 101: Starting To Talk About Race
Common Sense Education — Social and Cultural Literacy Resources for Classrooms
Access a best-of-the-best collection of resources for social justice and equity-focused educators.
New York Times Book List
A list of several titles broken down by age range that can help explain racism and protest to your students.