George McCalman – Artist | Author | Graphic Designer

ILLUSTRATED BLACK HISTORY

By George McCalman

~ A Compelling Collection of 145 Original Portraits and Profiles Celebrating Black Pioneers, Created and Curated by an Award-Winning Graphic Designer ~

“This vivid survey of Black history leaps off the page.” —Publishers Weekly

“A unique and engaging entry point into Black history.” —Booklist

From determining the subjects, to the design of the pages, to illustrating the portraits and images throughout, McCalman has created a book reflective of his subjects who paved the way when no road existed.

McCalman first began crafting the portraits of Black pioneers in honor of Black History Month more than six years ago, an obsessive artistic endeavor that would evolve into a carefully curated collection of soulful portraits celebrating Black icons throughout America’s 400-year-old history. Creating equal space to celebrate legends and discover Black heroes who have gone unseen, McCalman’s comprehensive work features trailblazers we recognize and those we should know. This is American history.

ILLUSTRATED BLACK HISTORY(HarperOne; Hardcover; September 27, 2022) also features essays by Emil Wilbekin (Editor in Chief, Vibe), Bryant Terry (Author, Black Food), Patrice Peck, (Editor, Cosmopolitan magazine) Oriana Koren (Editor, For the Birds Trapped in Airports) and Marvin K. White (Poet, Glide Memorial). Among the remarkable individuals illustrated and profiled are:

• Madeline Anderson, documentarian and producer of “I Am Somebody” about the 1969 strike of women hospital workers
• Guion S. Bluford, military pilot and the first black person to travel into space
• James Baldwin, literary luminary and activist
• Abby Fisher, culinary guru
• Vivien Thomas, medical pioneer and surgeon
• Aretha Franklin, singer songwriter extraordinaire

ILLUSTRATED BLACK HISTORY is a one-of-a-kind project about unique subjects by a triple-threat artist, author and designer that pays homage to Black Americans and their historical achievements and recognizes the breadth and abundance of Black excellence. 

About the Author: GEORGE MCCALMAN is an artist, graphic designer, and creative director. His studio, McCalman.co, creates long-lasting brands for clients across arts, lifestyle, food, and mobile media. He is a senior lecturer in graphic design at California College of Art and is the author and illustrator for the San Francisco Chronicle’s monthly “Observed” column. He lives in San Francisco. More at https://www.mccalman.co/

LINKS:

Website:  https://www.mccalman.co/

Twitter:@McCalmanCo 

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/mccalman.co/

Instagram: @McCalmanCo 

RUN THE RECEIPTS!

The time has come to RUN the Receipts! Please Take this 5-min survey to find out how your industry ranks in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

BUILD YOUR LOGO AND WEBSITE! 

Shout out to our sponsors Tailor Brands, for your continued support. Save 30% on any Tailor Brands purchase by using code RUN30 at checkout. www.tailorbrands.com

SHARE YOUR BRAND & MESSAGE IN A PODCAST TOUR! 

Coaches, consultants, and experts can leverage ALA Public Relations to build brand awareness, share their stories, and engage with new customers. They take their clients on a podcast tour that helps their business grow.

And here’s our special gift:

RUN guests at 10% off a podcast tour. Click here to schedule an intro call.