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BLACK CULTURE, HOMESCHOOLING, TRAVEL (AND OTHER THINGS FROM MY SWEET, IMPERFECT LIFE)

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I’m Amber

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My name is Amber O’Neal Johnston, and I started this website to document and discuss the joys and trials of raising my kids to love themselves and others.

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The Latest Posts

Curating Soul School Booklists: A Labor of Love

Books, Homeschool, Race

Creating the book lists for Soul School was one of the most intricate and rewarding journeys of my writing life. I didn’t just compile a collection...

Protecting Downtime: Why Margin Matters in Your Homeschool Life

Homemaking, Homeschool

In a world that glorifies busyness, it can feel countercultural—almost rebellious—to slow down and create space for rest. As a homeschooling family,...

Our World Geography Fair

Homeschool, Travel

If there’s one event that perfectly combines education, creativity, and cultural appreciation in our homeschool group, it’s the World Geography...

Heritage Mom Christmas Books & Gifts Roundup

Books, Homemaking

Christmas is a cherished time in our family, filled with traditions, stories, and moments that bring us closer together. When our children were...

Homeschool Coaching: Tailored Guidance for Every Stage of Learning

Homemaking, Homeschool

Homeschooling is an incredible journey, but it’s no secret that it can feel overwhelming at times. Whether you’re just starting out, looking to make...

Why Mama Culture Matters

Books, Homemaking, Homeschool, Race

In the hustle and bustle of motherhood, where days often blur into a cycle of tasks, responsibilities, and care for others, it’s easy for mothers to...

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Sign up now and receive my newly expanded Family Bonds book list, a curated collection of stories tied together with the common cord of familial bonds. You’ll also receive occasional emails featuring my latest thoughts, book recommendations, and diverse educational goodies.

Books & Things: Agreeing to Disagree

Books, Homeschool, Race

I’ve made a point not to disparage curricula, books, services, or products that fellow homeschool moms have created for this community. In fact,...

Including #OwnVoices Books

Books, Race

Q: Amber, how do you feel about books featuring Black characters or people written by non-Black authors? My answer: Writer Corinne Duyvis...

7 Benefits of Launching a Kids’ Book Club

Books

When I launched Heritage Book Club nearly seven years ago, I had no idea that it would grow to be such an incredible blessing to my family and...

Stories From Modern Day Africa

Books, Homeschool, Race

For world history and geography studies, I like for my kids to read plenty of stories from modern-day Africa. I've shared picture books and chapter...

20th-Century Black History Books

Books, Homeschool, Race

These 20th-Century Black History Books cover a period of history during which segregation tightened and racial oppression escalated across the...

Early Chapter Books Featuring Black Girls

Books

I love books about Black history, including biographies and historical fiction. It's important for our children to learn about the past tragedies...

Morning Time Plans (1900s)

Books, Homeschool

These morning time plans cover the subjects and activities that we'll do together as a family. Some things are done daily; others are one to three...

Black American Fiction (1900s)

Books, Homeschool, Race

Most of the titles in this booklist of Black American fiction are truly historical fiction, taking readers to a past time and place. However, a...

Topical Nonfiction Black History Books (1900s)

Books, Homeschool, Race

I rely heavily on topical nonfiction Black history books in our school lessons. As mentioned in my post on Infusing Black History into a Traditional...

African American Biographies & Memoirs (1900s)

Books, Homeschool, Race

African American biographies and memoirs are critical components of our history lessons. In my book A PLACE TO BELONG, I write, "Biographies help us...