After the terrific success of Black & Irish: Legends, Trailblazers & Everyday Heroes – winner of Teen & YA Book of the Year at the An Post Irish Book Awards – a lot of people asked publishers Little Island if they would consider doing a version for younger readers too. One that could let younger Black Irish kids feel seen, and contribute to making Irish primary schools more accepting and inclusive places.
They listened, they considered… but they didn’t have to consider for very long because they knew it was a great idea right away. Awesome Icons publishes later this month
Written by Leon Diop, co-author of Black & Irish: Legends, Trailblazers & Everyday Heroes and 2025’s memoir Mixed Up: An Irish Boy’s Journey to Belonging; illustrated by Irish artist Grace Enemaku; with a foreword by actor Ruth Negga; and co-published with friends and collaborators at Black and Irish.
Ten inspirational Black Irish people from the worlds of sport, science, TV, activism and the arts are portrayed in this full-colour hardback book.
You can pre-order a copy here.
Launch of Black & Irish: Awesome Icons
On 20 October, 6.30pm, at Chapters Bookstore on Dublin’s Parnell St, Little Island will be celebrating Black & Irish: Awesome Icons and its two incredible creators. Everyone is welcome, so please come down! Bring friends! Say hello! Get your copy signed!
See here for more posts on the Writing.ie Ink Stains blog.
