Nikkolas Smith, author portrait
© Vanessa Crocini

Nikkolas Smith

Nikkolas Smith is an Artivist, picture book author, and Hollywood film illustrator. He is the author-illustrator of the USA TODAY bestselling picture book The Artivist, The Golden Girls of Rio, and My Hair Is Poofy & That’s Okay. He also illustrated the picture books A Change Is Gonna Come, Captain America: Brave New World: A Hero Looks Like You, I Am Ruby Bridges, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: The Courage to Dream, That Flag, and the #1 New York Times bestselling The 1619 Project: Born on the Water. Many of Nikkolas’s viral and globally published sketches that have sparked important conversations and inspired meaningful change are included in his book Sunday Sketch: The Art of Nikkolas. He speaks on his Artivism and leads digital painting workshops at conferences, workplaces, and schools around the world. Nikkolas was born in Houston, Texas, and now lives in Los Angeles, California.
The History of We
Captain America: Brave New World: A Hero Looks Like You
El Proyecto 1619: Nacieron sobre el agua
The Artivist
The 1619 Project: Born on the Water

Books

The History of We
Captain America: Brave New World: A Hero Looks Like You
El Proyecto 1619: Nacieron sobre el agua
The Artivist
The 1619 Project: Born on the Water

Books for Black History Month

Join Penguin Random House Education in celebrating the contributions of Black authors and illustrators. In honor of Black History Month in February, we are highlighting essential fiction and nonfiction to be shared and discussed by students and teachers alike. Black History Month – Elementary Explore additional books by Black creators that will educate, empower, and

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Books for Black History Month

Join Penguin Random House in celebrating the contributions of Black authors, creators, and educators. In honor of Black History Month, we’re sharing stories that highlight Black history, excellence, and joy. Browse the elementary collection   Explore additional books by Black creators that will educate, empower, and inspire students in the classroom all year round:  

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Celebrating Juneteenth

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. It commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the freedom of the more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in Texas. The newly freed Black Americans observed Juneteenth as a celebration of freedom and

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