Updated September 22, 2025.

Current Book Count: 366

Hey, y'all! I have been asked from time to time over the years for my book recommendations around antiracism and white supremacy. For years, I'd never ventured to create a list of recommendations, mainly because it’s a daunting task. There are a lot of books out there to help people dismantle their connections to and the perpetuation of white supremacy, hate, homophobia, transphobia, anti-Blackness, and bigotry. For all the books I’ve heard of and read, I know hundreds more that I have yet to hear about or read.

Like I said - daunting.

But a few years ago, in the middle of a global pandemic and widespread hate toward AAPI, Black, Brown, Indigenous, and LGBTQIAA+ communities, I realized how much I was being asked to recommend books, teach people, and coach leaders on their white supremacist messiness. During all of this consulting, coaching, and facilitating, one thought kept creeping up for me: if I was feeling absolutely drained and overwhelmed by the constant inquiries and conversations that often contained a complete disregard for my mental, physical, and emotional health and well-being, I can’t imagine how all of my melanated and queer people out there were feeling.

That’s when this book list was born.

This list was initially built based on books I’ve read, books that have been recommended to me, and books that are currently sitting on my “must-read” list. Over the past 4 years, though, it’s evolved, becoming more accessible and growing into what I believe is a detailed roadmap for learning and dismantling that addresses so many topics but also provides a starting point for those who are (somehow) new to tackling learning and unlearning some of the hate and bigotry ingrained in their brains and bodies. At the end of the day, I hope that this literature resource promotes learning and engagement in ways that will alleviate some of the burden on those of us who are constantly placed in teaching roles, whether we want to be or not.

It’s... It’s a lot of books, y’all. And it will continue to grow, as I’m always finding new books that warrant a spot on the list, or friends and colleagues share books they’ve read that most of us may have never heard of.

(Side note: if you’ve got book recommendations, drop me a line at pharoahboldingconsulting@hotmail.com.)

Click here to go to the list.

Click here for some tips on engaging with the list.

Download a PDF version of the list here.

Well, there you have it! I hope this list becomes a valuable resource for you in your own work as well as the work of others in your life.

Cheers,

Pharoah Bolding, The World’s Greatest Comic Drawin’ HR “Professional”

P.S.: Please note that some books on this list appear in multiple categories because they fit into various categories. I shouldn’t have to say this, but I assure you that the book count is accurate, even with “duplicate entries.” Please resist the urge to "double-check" my work and send an email about my counting skills. That’s white supremacist ideology and tasteless as hell. Be better. Do better. You really need to read some of these books.

P.S.S. If you feel so inclined, you can show your appreciation by tipping a brotha through the following systems:

Venmo: @Pharoah-Bolding

Cash App: $PharoahBConsult or https://cash.app/$PharoahBConsult

Paypal: pharoahbolding@hotmail.com or https://paypal.me/pbhrpro