Black Encyclopedia: Afro-Brazilian Biographies - by Jaime Lauriano, Flávio dos Santos Gomes, Lilia Schwarcz

"In this black Encyclopedia, Flávio dos Santos Gomes, Jaime Lauriano and Lilia Moritz Schwarcz review the history of Brazil, from colonization to the present day, in order to reestablish black protagonism. And they do so by reaching for what is singular, multifaceted and deep into the private existence of more than five hundred and fifty characters.

They are independent professionals; mothers who fought for the family’s freedom; activists and revolutionaries; healers and doctors; religious leaders who reinvented other Africas in Brazil, people whose features were erased by history. Therefore, 36 black artists created portraits inspired by the entries in this encyclopedia, gathered here in a beautiful notebook of images.

At a time of erratic production and dissemination of information, this work contributes to forming a safe repository of individual and collective experiences to which ― as people and as a society ― we can turn for inspiration and guidance."