On Race and Identity 

• Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong
  A powerful memoir that blends personal stories, history, and cultural criticism to examine the Asian American experience.

• Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
  A heartfelt exploration of family, identity, and grief through the lens of a Korean American daughter.

• Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri
  A collection of stories that reflect on identity, cultural dislocation, and family dynamics.

• The Making of Asian America by Erika Lee
  A comprehensive history of Asians in America, tracing their stories from the 1500s to modern times.

• Racial Melancholia, Racial Dissociation by David L. Eng and Shinhee Han
  A scholarly exploration of how race and immigration intersect with mental health and identity formation.

• Asian Americans and the Media by Kent A. Ono and Vincent N. Pham
  A deep dive into the representation of Asian Americans in media and its implications for identity and perception.

• An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
  A groundbreaking book that reframes U.S. history from the perspective of Indigenous peoples, highlighting the lasting impact of settler colonialism.

• Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
  Combining Indigenous wisdom and scientific knowledge, Kimmerer explores the connection between humans and the natural world through storytelling.

• There There by Tommy Orange
  A powerful novel that follows the interwoven lives of Native Americans in Oakland, California, exploring themes of identity and resilience.

• All the Real Indians Died Off: And 20 Other Myths About Native Americans by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz and Dina Gilio-Whitaker
  A must-read that debunks harmful myths about Native Americans and offers a truthful perspective on their history and culture.

• Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverly Daniel Tatum

• So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

• Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi

• Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde

• Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza by Gloria E. Anzaldúa
  A groundbreaking exploration of identity, borders, and intersectionality from a Latina feminist perspective.

• Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America by Juan González
  A comprehensive history of Latinx immigration and its impact on the United States.

• Open Veins of Latin America by Eduardo Galeano
  A powerful analysis of colonialism, imperialism, and exploitation in Latin America.

Arab and Middle Eastern Histories & Stories

1. "The Map of Love" by Ahdaf Soueif

• A captivating novel that bridges Egyptian and Western cultures, exploring love, identity, and history.

2. "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran

• A timeless philosophical work that offers reflections on life, love, and humanity.

3. "Salt Houses" by Hala Alyan

• A multi-generational story about a Palestinian family navigating displacement and identity.

4. "I Was Born for This" by Alice Oseman

• A contemporary novel with Arab representation, exploring identity, fandom, and friendship.

5. "The Stone of Laughter" by Hoda Barakat

• A groundbreaking novel that tackles themes of war, sexuality, and survival in Beirut.

3. On History and Systemic Oppression

• The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander

• An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

• The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson

• Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson

Hidden Figures in History

 Activists and Organizers

• Claudette Colvin: The teenager who refused to give up her bus seat before Rosa Parks, paving the way for the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

• Bayard Rustin: The architect of the March on Washington, whose contributions to civil rights were often overshadowed due to his sexuality.

• Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson: Transgender activists at the forefront of the LGBTQ+ rights movement and the Stonewall uprising.

• Grace Lee Boggs (1915–2015): A Chinese American activist and philosopher who fought for civil rights, labor equality, and Black-Asian solidarity.

• Larry Itliong (1913–1977): A Filipino American labor organizer who played a key role in the 1965 Delano Grape Strike alongside Cesar Chavez.

• Yuri Kochiyama (1921–2014): A Japanese American activist who worked alongside Malcolm X to advocate for racial and social justice.

• Wilma Mankiller: The first woman to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, Mankiller worked tirelessly to improve the lives of her community through education and activism.

• Buffy Sainte-Marie: An Indigenous singer-songwriter, educator, and activist whose work advocates for Native rights and environmental justice.

• Maria Tallchief: America’s first major prima ballerina and a member of the Osage Nation, she broke barriers in the world of classical ballet.

Other Marginalized Voices

• Claudette Colvin: A pioneer of the Civil Rights Movement who refused to give up her bus seat months before Rosa Parks.

• Pauli Murray: A trailblazing Black queer lawyer, poet, and activist whose work influenced both the Civil Rights and Women’s Rights movements.

• Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson: Transgender activists who played pivotal roles in the LGBTQ+ rights movement and the Stonewall Riots.

Latinx Trailblazers

• Sylvia Mendez: A civil rights activist whose family's landmark court case, Mendez v. Westminster (1947), helped pave the way for school desegregation in the U.S.

• Julia de Burgos: A Puerto Rican poet, activist, and feminist who used her work to fight for social justice.

• Dolores Huerta: Labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW) alongside César Chávez.

• Felipe Luciano: A poet, activist, and founding member of the Young Lords, a Puerto Rican nationalist group.

• Ritchie Valens: One of the first Latinx rock and roll stars, whose music broke barriers in the industry.

Arab Figures

1. Fatima al-Fihri

• Founder of the University of al-Qarawiyyin in Morocco, one of the world’s oldest universities.

2. Ibn Khaldun

• A pioneering Arab historian and sociologist, often considered the father of modern social sciences.

3. Raja Al-Khuzai

• An Iraqi doctor and activist who played a vital role in advocating for women’s rights in post-war Iraq.

4. Zaha Hadid

• A trailblazing architect known for her groundbreaking designs and contributions to modern architecture.

5. Nawal El Saadawi

• A feminist writer, doctor, and activist who courageously tackled issues of gender and class in the Arab world.

Artists and Writers

• Zora Neale Hurston: A groundbreaking writer and anthropologist known for Their Eyes Were Watching God.

• Jean-Michel Basquiat: A revolutionary artist who highlighted race, identity, and power through his neo-expressionist work.

• Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: A Nigerian author who explores themes of identity, migration, and feminism in works like Americanah.

• Anna May Wong (1905–1961): The first Chinese American Hollywood star, who broke barriers despite racism in the film industry.

• Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988): A Japanese American artist and landscape architect whose works blended Eastern and Western aesthetics.

• Kalpana Chawla (1962–2003): The first Indian American woman in space, who tragically died in the Columbia Space Shuttle disaster.

Scholars to Follow/Writers 

• Kimberlé Crenshaw: Legal scholar who coined the term intersectionality.

• Derrick Bell: Father of Critical Race Theory.

• Pema Chödrön: Advocate for compassion and resilience in the face of adversity.

• Angela Davis: Activist, scholar, and author of Women, Race, & Class.

• Robin DiAngelo: Author of White Fragility, exploring whiteness and systemic racism.

• Vijay Prashad: Author of The Karma of Brown Folk and a historian focusing on Asian and global diasporas.

• Erika Lee: A historian specializing in Asian American history and author of The Making of Asian America.

• Mae Ngai: A scholar known for her work on immigration history and citizenship, including Impossible Subjects: Illegal Aliens and the Making of Modern America.

• Ruth Wilson Gilmore: A geographer and prison abolitionist whose work examines systemic inequality and mass incarceration.

• Vine Deloria Jr.: An influential Native American historian and activist, author of Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto.

Arab and Middle Eastern Voices

1. Lina Mounzer (@linamounzer)

• A Lebanese writer and storyteller sharing the nuances of life in the Middle East.

2. Mona Chalabi (@monachalabi)

• A data journalist who makes complex social issues accessible through visual storytelling.

3. Alaa Murabit (@alaamurabit)

• A physician and activist advocating for gender equality and sustainable development in the Arab world.

Cultural Storytellers

• Julián Castro (@JulianCastroTX)
  Politician and advocate for marginalized communities, particularly in housing and education.

• Diane Guerrero (@dianeguerrero__)
  Actress and author of In the Country We Love, a memoir about growing up as the child of undocumented immigrants.

Writers and Academics

• Cathy Park Hong: Poet, essayist, and author of Minor Feelings, which examines racialized experiences in America.

• Ocean Vuong: A Vietnamese American poet and author of On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous.

• Edward Said: Though not of Asian descent, his work Orientalism has profoundly influenced discussions about how the West perceives the East.

• Dr. Rocío R. Caballero-Gill (@LatinxGeoscientist)
  A geoscientist advocating for inclusivity in STEM.

• Paola Ramos (@PaolaRamos)
  A journalist and author who shares stories about the diverse Latinx experience.

Social Influencers and Content Creators

1. Influencers Sharing Marginalized Voices

• Rachel Cargle: Activist and founder of The Great Unlearn, a platform for education on race and privilege.

• Ijeoma Oluo: Author and speaker on race, social justice, and privilege.

• Layla F. Saad: Creator of Me and White Supremacy workbook and advocate for anti-racism work.

• @nextshark (Instagram/Twitter): A leading news platform amplifying stories and issues from the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.

• @cecesambath (TikTok/Instagram): A Cambodian American influencer who uses her platform to discuss race, identity, and cultural heritage.

• @michellekimkim (Instagram/Twitter): Founder of Awaken, a platform offering DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) training with a focus on marginalized voices.

Cultural Storytelling

• @asiansformentalhealth (Instagram): A platform destigmatizing mental health in the Asian community and providing resources for healing.

• @browngirltherapy (Instagram): Focused on the experiences of South Asian Americans navigating mental health, family, and identity.

• @jennyhan (Instagram): Author of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before who highlights Asian representation in young adult fiction.

Indigenous Voices

• @IndigenousRising (Instagram and Twitter): A platform amplifying Indigenous-led climate justice efforts.

• @NotYourMascot (Twitter): Advocating against the use of Native mascots in sports and media.

• @nikkigilbertart (Instagram): Showcasing Indigenous art and storytelling through digital media.

Broader Social Advocacy

• @rachel.cargle: Writer and activist focused on race, feminism, and the power of education.

• @laylafsaad: Author of Me and White Supremacy, her work focuses on anti-racism education and personal growth.

• @adriennemareebrown: Activist and author of Emergent Strategy, exploring how we can organize for social change.

Educational Platforms and Organizations

• Native Land Digital: A map-based resource to learn about Indigenous territories, languages, and treaties.

• The Zinn Education Project: Resources for teaching people’s history in classrooms, including materials on Indigenous history and social justice.

• The National Museum of the American Indian: Offering educational resources and exhibits to deepen understanding of Native cultures.

2. Platforms and Organizations

• The Nap Ministry: Explores rest as a form of resistance for marginalized communities.

• Black Lives Matter: A global organization advocating for Black liberation.

• Decolonize Your Bookshelf: A movement encouraging diverse and inclusive reading lists.

Documentaries and Films

• 13th (Netflix): Explores the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the U.S.

• When They See Us (Netflix): A story of systemic racism and injustice, based on the Central Park Five.

• I Am Not Your Negro (Amazon Prime): A powerful exploration of James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript on race in America.

Articles and Journals

• Latino Studies Journal
  A scholarly journal exploring the experiences and contributions of Latinx communities.

• The Afro-Latin@ Reader: History and Culture in the United States edited by Miriam Jiménez Román and Juan Flores.

Organizations

• The Hispanic Heritage Foundation: A resource hub for empowering the Latinx community.

• NALAC (National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures): Promotes Latinx artists and cultural institutions.