The Undefeated

The book The Undefeated evolved from a poem that Kwame Alexander penned for an ESPN website known as “The Undefeated.” The website, which launched in 2016, focuses on intersections of race with sports and other aspects of popular culture. Watch and listen to the author’s read-aloud!

The poem has been described as a “love letter to Black life” in the US. It recounts the horrors of slavery, the passion of the Civil Rights era, and accomplishments of various famous Black Americans. Unique oil paintings by famous artist Kadir Nelson earned The Undefeated the 2020 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award.