As we celebrate Black History Month 2025, it is essential to recognize the profound impact of Black thinkers across various fields who have shaped philosophical thought and general knowledge production. To this end, the Philosophy faculty, led by Dr. ka’Nobuhlaluse, have compiled an A-Z (except U) list as a starting point for exploring the works and legacies of notable Black individuals whose ideas have influenced philosophy and broader intellectual traditions. While it is by no means exhaustive, it serves as an invitation to engage with a diverse range of thinkers whose contributions continue to shape contemporary discourse. We acknowledge that this list is shaped by the limited scope of its producers and inevitably may exclude some people. However, we hope it serves as a foundation for further exploration and discussion, inspiring deeper engagement with the wealth of Black intellectual traditions.

Importantly, this list is not limited to thinkers from the United States; it embraces Blackness as a global and political identity, drawing from the South African Black Consciousness philosophy as articulated by Steve Biko in I Write What I Like, 2004 (a collection of his essays and speeches published posthumously). By taking this broader perspective, we aim to highlight the contributions of Black thinkers across the African diaspora, emphasizing the transnational nature of Black intellectual traditions.