Hidden Figures Author To Write Two New Books About 'Extraordinary Ordinary African-Americans'

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Margot Lee Shetterly, the author of Hidden Figures (subtitled: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race), is returning with two new books that will highlight other important black figures a part of America's history.

In a statement from Viking Press (which is owned by Penguin Random House), Shetterly revealed that she will be writing two new books, with both of them "examining the idea of the American Dream and its legacy by excavating stories of other 'hidden figures,' extraordinary ordinary African-Americans whose contributions to American history have, for one reason or another, been untold, unseen, or overlooked."

The first book will focus on two important Baltimore black families — the Adamses and the Murphys. The former was made up of Willie Adams, a venture capitalist who invested in multiple black-owned businesses and became an icon in his own right, even as he fought the city against its attempts to discredit him because of his past involvement with the illegal lottery business; and Willie's wife Victorine Adams, a schoolteacher turned politician.

The latter is about the Murphy family, who published the Baltimore Afro-American for generations.

"I couldn't be more excited to roll up my sleeves and get to work with Wendy and the Viking team," Shetterly said. "She is an editor with deep experience shaping the kinds of stories I want to tell."

Shetterly will be receiving an award for her Hidden Figures book. In September she will be honored alongside several other authors at the 82nd annual Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards. Shetterly is the recipient of the Non-Fiction award.