Blair LM Kelley, Ph.D.

We asked dozens of librarians about America’s libraries — what they provide, what they need to survive. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

When "working class" is uttered in the media, it often excludes Black people. So today is the perfect day reflect on the history of the Black working class in America. Whether that's thru Dr @profblmkelley.bsky.social book on the Black working class or Joe William Trotter's work on the same

The aftershocks of Federal layoffs continue to disproportionately hit Black families. What are the best ways for Black communities to create networks of support in hard times? www.theroot.com/new-survey-s...

Also @profblmkelley.bsky.social covered this quite extensively in her book Black Folk

Thrilled to be in Ebony for their coverage of the 250! www.ebony.com/when-we-were...

This year’s Labor Notes conference made clear that workers’ responses to this moment of crisis are anything but passive: https://bit.ly/4egBw20

Glowing from my Black Freedom event at Kindred Stories in Houston. What a joy to talk Juneteenth, Emancipation Days, memory and struggle in Texas! Black Freedom chronicles the celebration of freedom that began well before the national holiday. Available everywhere books are sold!

Headed to Houston for an event at Kindred Books! Join us if you can!!!

Today SCOTUS allowing Alabama to press ahead with the use of a map that erases a majority Black congressional district makes clear clear that this Court has unashamedly set its course to dismantle the 14th Amendment brick-by-brick. www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25p...

It's pub day! No better way to resist the erasure of Black history then to buy Black books! Available anywhere books are sold!

“.. The U.S. is now spending more on data center construction than on public transportation infrastructure, according to new Census Bureau figures out today.” @bloomberg.com www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Black Freedom in Banff! Such a thrill to be a part of the Consortium of Humanities Centers and Institutes convening this year, what a wonderful place to celebrate my publication date! June 2!!!

Awesome!!!! Thank you for buying it!

A great day in Montgomery, AL as thousands gathered under the theme “All Roads Lead to the South” - a rally to mobilize awareness & action in opposition to southern states racial gerrymandering to dismantle majority Black congressional districts after the SCOTUS decision in Louisiana v Calláis.

Wow. The generation most exposed to the changes of AI has questions... we ought to be listening. Graduates Boo Commencement Speech About A.I. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/14/s...

Next was "Black Folk" by @profblmkelley.bsky.social, who weaves together personal/family experiences, representative case studies, & broader sociological trends to deliver an essential book on emergence of the Black working class. Highly recommend Full review: bookwyrm.social/user/bwaber/... (3/4)

That same year (1867) after a Freedmen’s meeting in Charleston, SC, a group of African Americans decided to test their right to ride on Charleston Street Cars. Staged “ride-in.” #TeachReconstruction More ⬇️& in “Right to Ride” by @profblmkelley.bsky.social www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/st...

I didn't do TOO much this year, but I still did it. Love keeping my mother's tradition of lamb and ham on Easter alive. Not to mention the tradition of deviled eggs! Miss her and love keeping her spirit alive through my food. #blairiscooking

Excited to share that you can preorder Black Freedom at @barnesandnoble for 25% off when you sign up for their free rewards program and use code PREORDER25 at checkout! The offer ends on 3/26. www.barnesandnoble.com/w/black-free... #BNPreorder

#tdih 1970: 1st mass work stoppage in 195-year history of U.S. Postal Service began with letter carriers’ walkout in Brooklyn & Manhattan for better wages. Spread nationally. Read @profblmkelley.bsky.social’s ”Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class” ⬇️ www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/po...

Not ready to emerge into the “daylight” yet? Check out my super-sized 266th #ScholarSunday thread, chock-full o’ public scholarly writing, podcasts, new & forthcoming books from the past week. Add more below, share as widely as possible, & enjoy, all! 🗃️ + blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...

Thrilled to have an advance copy of Black Freedom in my hands! It was a pleasure to tell the stories of emancipation. It will be out June 2nd but available for preorder now!Preorders remind publishers that our history matters, even in this age of repression! www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/blair...

This Black History Month preorder Black books, a concrete way to resist erasure and tell publishing&booksellers we still value this work. #BHM My book Black Freedom is available for pre-order: www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/blair-lm-kelley-2/black-freedom/9780762486939/?lens=black-dog-leventhal

Just in case you missed this amazing conversation I had with Kellie Carter Jackson about the intersection of family history and our historical work! reunion-a-podcast-about-family-histories.ghost.io/episode-003-...

Finding my 3-times great grandfather, Henry Rucker, registering to vote in 1867 was life changing. He did so at great risk to life and livelihood, but he did it anyway. Honored to commemorate the day that those rights were Constitutionally enshrined, still sacred & paid for at great sacrifice.

Feb. 1, 1960, 4 NC A&T students sat-in at the “whites only” counter at Woolworths in Greensboro. Their defiance ignited a movement led to the birth of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Young people fuel movements. It is inspiring to see that today they still do. #BlackHistoryMonth

Thrilled to be your speaker for this year!

Just in case you missed this article about the erosion of the 14th and 15th Amendments during the holiday. Important reporting by @adamserwer.bsky.social

I'm so sorry, keep speaking, keep fighting. I'm deeply convinced that most people who aren't directly affected are deeply unaware. We spent decades talking about the environment only to turn around and wreck unprecedented havoc.

We are fighting data centers in our little town and the big wigs just keep going around us. They tried to pass it under the table but people found out and turned out. We got it voted down. Then they took it to court saying we weren't allowed to speak. Now republican courts are undermining us. *sob*

Ajamu A. Dillahunt-Holloway’s review of Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class ( @wwnorton.com ) by Blair LM Kelley ( @profblmkelley.bsky.social )

AI is just scraping what already exists while historians are putting the materials of the past together in new and unexpected ways. Drawing on the insights, teaching, and ways of knowing that are intangible. No comparison.

Breaking: The University of Virginia's Board of Visitors named a new president Friday: Scott Beardsley, dean of UVA's Darden School of Business since 2015. Beardsley called the selection "the honor of my life."

Thankful to have the strength to make this wonderful meal this year. #Blairiscooking

This one is for my son, his fave triple chocolate, chocolate cake, extra chocolate icing. Candied yams up next... #Blairiscooking

First cake is for a family friend. Yellow cake/chocolate icing. Getting dropped off soon! #blairiscooking

It's happening... #Blairiscooking

We are honored and thrilled to welcome Dr. Vinson to the Center this year.

What an amazing and powerful conversation we had @natlhumanities Monday! Building the groundwork!