AfroCentric Style: A Celebration of Blackness & Identity in Pop Culture – A Stunning Illustrated Anthology of African American Heritage and Mainstream Influence

by Shirley Neal

Illustrated with more than 100 color and black-and-white photos, a rich celebration linking the vibrancy of Black identity and expression with mainstream popular culture from the past to the present.

The top memes, movements, and milestone moments dominating today’s social media have focused on Beyoncé, Rihanna, Hip-Hop, Usher, Black Enterprise crews, Abbott Elementary’s rise, and Oprah’s slim down. Driven by Black millennials, these trending topics demonstrate the influence and power of Black artistry and celebrity in American popular culture and around the globe. As Shirley Neal argues, this is more than just a fleeting style. It is a profound display of how pop culture is being used as a conduit for the revival of Black identity, culture, and history.

The impact of Blackness in pop culture has never been as significant as it is today. African-themed searches have grown exponentially, and the surge of interest in Black pop culture crosses generations. Beautifully designed, Afrocentric Style explores the connection between Black identity and mainstream culture, interweaving more than 100 full-color and archival black-and-white photographs with thought-provoking commentary that offers parallels between the top Afrocentric stories that have trended on social media and their historical roots.

Timely and timeless, this stunning anthology educates celebrates, and elevates readers' knowledge about the powerful influence of Afrocentric Style on mainstream pop culture and America’s increasingly diverse society.

272 pages, Hardcover

First published November 26, 2024

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her book, Afrocentric Style, Shirley Neal described the enormous influence that African Americans made on pop culture in the United States and included plenty of beautiful and telling photos to describe the impact. Black artists and their advocacy energized fashion. Remember the Black Panther Party uniform of black leather jackets and black berets? Their stylish look was duplicated in movies and magazines and worn by Michael Jackson and Beyoncé. In fact, many Black creators caused earthquake fashion change in the States and in Europe. For example, Virgil Abloh became the artistic director of Louis Vuitton men’s wear, and Patrick Kelly was the first American admitted to France’s Chambre syndicale du prêt-â-porter des couturiers et des créateurs de mode.

Neal dedicated several chapters to discuss Black hair. Why so much space? Because Black hair styles have been used to penalize, ostracize, fire, and belittle. Neal included photos of our beautiful African American celebrities in full bloom highlighting Black flair and grandeur: Angela Davis and Diana Ross with their bodacious Afros, Whoopi Goldberg in dreadlocks, and elegant Cicely Tyson with a shaved head and with intricate braids.

Black women won pageants when the American mainstream came to appreciate the beauty of Black features, curves, skin color, and skin tones. In 2018, African American women won the titles Miss Teen USA, Miss America, Miss USA, Miss Universe, and Miss World! Top fashion magazines, such as Vogue and Elle, featured Black models on their covers.

Throughout these years, as African Americans entered the top levels of fashion, music, sports, and creative arts, mainstream learned a dirty little American secret—police thuggery. Smart phones allowed everyone to witness the violence against Black adults and children at the hands of law enforcement. Of course, Blacks knew and lived this truth, but the phone videos told the world what it meant to live in the U.S. through an African American lens. In response to the documented racism, Black artists blended their work with advocacy, fusing art, music, and fashion to honor history and heroes. Celebrities used their platforms and challenged social narratives. Designers added activism to their artistic vision, transforming how we consider race and fashion today. Neal wrote her book to “help us appreciate Black culture, understand Black history, and tie us to our identity.” She accomplished this and more.

Having lived through the era Neal described, I appreciated her in-depth analysis of events and her well selected photos. This book will interest readers of all ages who want to know what and how Afro-American culture influenced America.

[J. Prewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an important book that identifies the significance of black culture and its influence and contributions to mainstream culture. I especially like how Miss Neal shares the many ways Black men and women have set their own standards, sometimes counter to the norm, but not to their self-identity.

[Shirley Clayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWE INSPIRING!!! MAGNIFICENT!!!! Relevant and Most Informative, with Unparalleled in depth research.
A REAL PAGE TURNER!!!!! Prepare to be AMAZED with
Untold information cultural insights celebrating African Heritage and Musical ICONS, such as Beyoncé, Prince and many more!!
A MUST READ!!!
Shirley Clayton

[Biased · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed learning about the cultural significance of embodying historical movements through the beauty and fashion industries. Topics range from Haute Couture, the Black Panther Party, to kente regalia. This book also covers the metaphorical and literal roots of hairstyles and their impact on society.