A groundbreaking, full-color celebration of Black creativity and cultural impact—told through expressive LEGO® sculptures and compelling biographical storytelling. Based on an award-winning, museum-exhibited art project, Awesome Black Creativity invites readers of all ages to explore an A–Z gallery of Black icons whose contributions shaped culture, community, and history.

Awesome Black Creativity is a stunning visual tribute to the artists, activists, athletes, thinkers, and trailblazers whose influence continues to shape our world. Each entry pairs a richly photographed LEGO® portrait—crafted by LEGO Masters (USA) alumnus and award-winning artist Dave Kaleta—with an accessible, insightful biography written by Brooklyn-based cultural journalist Richard Dryden.

Originally launched as a 26-week creative collaboration on Instagram, the ABC project quickly gained national attention. It won Best Artwork at Brickworld Chicago 2022, toured as a traveling museum exhibit across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada in partnership with the DuPage Children’s Museum, and earned recognition from cultural institutions, celebrities, and even the Estate of Nina Simone. Support from figures like Questlove helped propel the project into the spotlight as an innovative, heartfelt intersection of Black culture and LEGO artistry.

This book continues that journey—offering readers a beautifully designed, deeply meaningful collection that honors Black creativity across generations. From Kehinde Wiley to Marsha P. Johnson, Gordon Parks to Serena and Venus Williams, each portrait invites reflection, celebration, and conversation. It is a book meant for homes, classrooms, libraries, museums, and anyone inspired by the idea that creativity can build bridges.

A groundbreaking, full-color LEGO art book that celebrates Black creativity and cultural impact through expressive brick sculptures and accessible biographical storytelling.

Based on an award-winning, museum-exhibited art project, this one-of-a-kind A-Z gallery features 26 portraits of cultural icons reimagined in LEGO, from Toni Morrison and Sidney Poitier to Serena and Venus Williams.

Richard Dryden and Dave Kaleta met on Season 2 of Fox's LEGO® Masters and have been collaborating ever since. Their cultivation of Awesome Black Creativity, which started as a 26-week Instagram series, and became an award-winning museum exhibit, has toured the U.S. and Europe, with future dates and territories to be announced. It has earned recognition from the Estate of Nina Simone and the attention of Questlove along the way.

This book is the fullest expression of that project yet.

Together they've created twenty-seven LEGO® portraits of the Black creatives, activists, and athletes who shaped our culture, paired with original biographical essays that give each figure the depth their legacy deserves. Dave Kaleta's signature Miniland Plus building style brings an artistic seriousness to the medium that goes well beyond what most people imagine when they think of LEGO®. Richard Dryden's writing, rooted in years of covering Black music, art, and culture for Complex, The FADER, and others, brings the same seriousness to the stories themselves.

Notice that none of the figures have faces. That's intentional. Every faceless build is an invitation to see yourself in these legends: Alvin Ailey, bell hooks, DJ Kool Herc, Kehinde Wiley, Toni Morrison, Marsha P. Johnson, the Williams Sisters, and the twenty others who fill these pages.

From the creators of the ABC traveling museum exhibit, in partnership with DuPage Children’s Museum.

LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies, which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this book.