AALBC Search
Breena Clarke
Breena Clarke 0000000116790578 Breena Clarke, a Washington D.C. native and Howard University alumnus, is a renowned author known for her debut novel, an Oprah Book Club selection 'River, Cross My Hea...
Breena Clarke and Amy Newmark
Breena Clarke and Amy Newmark MULTIPLE Amy Newmark is the author, editor, and publisher of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Breena Clarke, a distinguished Black scholar and novelist, penned the ...
Cheryl Clarke
Cheryl Clarke 0000000383377198 Cheryl L. Clarke, born in 1947, is a lesbian poet, essayist, and a Black feminist activist. Her work emphasizes African-American women's literature and black lesbian fe...
Hope C. Clarke
Hope C. Clarke NONE Brooklyn-based Hope C. Clarke is a single mom, JP Morgan Chase employee, and entrepreneur who spends her spare time writing and self-publishing fiction novels. Known for her “movi...
John Henrik Clarke
John Henrik Clarke 0000000109007688 Dr. John Henrik Clarke was born January 1, 1915 in Union Springs, Alabama and died July 16, 1998 in New York City. His family came from a long line of sha...
Maxine Beneba Clarke
Maxine Beneba Clarke NONE Maxine Beneba Clarke, an Afro-Caribbean author and slam poet, wrote The Patchwork Bike and When We Say Black Lives Matter, aimed at explaining the concept of Black Lives Mat...
Michael Bradley with John Henrik Clarke
Michael Bradley with John Henrik Clarke MULTIPLE Michael Bradley with John Henrik Clarke
Echo Brown
Echo Brown NONE Echo Brown is a renowned storyteller, author, and performer known for her one-woman show, 'Black Virgins Are Not for Hipsters'. She's also the author of 'Black Girl Unlimited'. Echo f...
William Loren Katz
William Loren Katz 0000000115886981 Bill Katz (1927-2019) was a prolific author and lecturer, known for his contributions to African American history. A graduate of Syracuse University and New York U...
Andrew Salkey
Andrew Salkey 0000000109378518 Felix Salkey was a Panamanian-born author dedicated to Jamaican culture. Raised in Jamaica, he became a prominent figure in the London community of West Indian writers ...
Chancellor Williams
Chancellor Williams NONE Dr. Chancellor James Williams (1898-1992) was a pivotal scholar in the study of Nile Valley Civilization. Born to former slaves, he became an acclaimed author, university pro...
Kwame Nkrumah
Kwame Nkrumah 0000000110549118 Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first prime minister and president, led the country to independence from Britain in 1957 and ruled until a 1966 coup. His time in the U.S. greatl...
Suheir Hammad
Suheir Hammad 0000000084052510 Suheir Hammad, born October 25, 1973, is a Palestinian-American poet, author, performer, and activist renowned for her work in the spoken-word scene. She's had success ...
Primrose Cameron
Primrose Cameron NONE Primrose Cameron is an experienced motivational speaker, life coach, teacher, and counselor based in West Volusia. She offers personal and professional development through her t...
Heidi R. Lewis
Heidi R. Lewis NONE Dr. Heidi R. Lewis is an Associate Professor and Director of the Feminist & Gender Studies Program at Colorado College. Specializing in Feminist Theory, Hip Hop Culture, and Criti...
David H. Rothman
David H. Rothman 0000000373908303 David H. Rothman, author of 'Drone Child', is known for his advocacy of both traditional and digital libraries and efforts to close the digital divide. Rothman, who ...
N. K. Jemisin
N. K. Jemisin 0000000107503776 Jemisin, in 2018, Became the Only Writer to Win 3 Best Novel Hugo Awards in Consecutive Years (note) Nora K. Jemisin, born in 1972, is a renowned speculative fiction aut...
Beverly Jenkins
Beverly Jenkins 000000011691928X Beverly Jenkins, a USA TODAY bestselling author, is renowned for her African-American historical romance fiction, mainly set in the 19th century. With over thirty nov...
Guy Sims
Guy Sims NONE Guy A. Sims is an acclaimed author known for his early publications on Kwanzaa, his collection of American Tall Tales, and his novel, Living Just A Little. He's also the head writer for...
Rosa Guy
Rosa Guy 0000000111564547 Rosa Guy, born in Trinidad in 1925, was an influential Harlem-based writer and activist. A co-founder of the Harlem Writer's Guild, she was also a member of the Black nation...
Denisha Jones and Jesse Hagopian
Denisha Jones and Jesse Hagopian MULTIPLE Denisha Jones, a member of the national Black Lives Matter at School committee, is an activist and advocate for education justice. She is the Director of the...
Jacki Simmons
Jacki Simmons NONE Bronx-born, Harlem-raised author Jacki Simmons found inspiration in her surroundings from a young age. She completed her first short story at 11 and her first novel at 16. After wi...
Monique Roffey
Monique Roffey 0000000046732443 Monique Roffey, an award-winning novelist and essayist, is known for her novel “The Mermaid of Black Conch,” which won the Costa Book Award. A Trinidadian-born British...
Donna Drew Sawyer
Donna Drew Sawyer NONE Donna Drew Sawyer, author of Provenance, has a rich background in arts administration, advertising, and public relations. A New Yorker with over three decades of experience in ...
Yosef Ben-Jochannan
Yosef Ben-Jochannan 0000000084792068 Born in Gondar, Ethiopia, Dr. Yosef Alfredo Antonio ben-Jochannan (December 31, 1918 - March 19, 2015), or “Dr. Ben”, as he is affectionately known devoted th...
Ivan Van Sertima
Ivan Van Sertima 0000000063040713 Born in Guyana, Dr. Ivan Van Sertima was a literary critic, linguist, anthropologist, and writer who won the Clarence L. Holte Prize for his work, They Came Before C...
Esther Cooper Jackson
Esther Cooper Jackson 0000000037560491 Esther Cooper Jackson (1917-2022) was a co-founder and managing editor of Freedomways magazine from 1961-1985, a significant publication featuring writers like ...
Steve Parke
Steve Parke 0000000121259052 Prince’s Former Art Director Steve Parke is an award-winning illustrator, designer, and photographer. He worked for Prince for 13 years as his in-house art director...
Brian W. Smith
Brian W. Smith NONE Brian W. Smith, an award-winning author of 15 novels and former U.S. Army member, turned full-time author after being laid off. His personal trauma inspired his first novel, leadi...
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Quiara Alegría Hudes, and Jeremy McCarter
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Quiara Alegría Hudes, and Jeremy McCarter MULTIPLE Lin-Manuel Miranda, Quiara AlegrÃa Hudes, and Jeremy McCarter are renowned figures in the arts. Miranda, a multi-award-winning ...
Carlotta Arradondo
Carlotta Arradondo NONE Carlotta Arradondo, a Minneapolis-born novelist, poet, and storyteller, discovered her passion for writing at nine. She is the author of the novel “Yearning” and co-author of ...
Yvonne Bynoe
Yvonne Bynoe NONE Yvonne Bynoe is an acclaimed author, cultural critic, and founder of the popular online art platform, @SHELOVESBLACKART. She made her curatorial debut in 2022, focusing on lost or e...
Blanche Richardson
Blanche Richardson NONE Blanche Richardson, a seasoned book editor and manager of Marcus Books, one of the oldest African American owned bookstores in the US, has contributed significantly to literat...
Brene Brown
Brene Brown 0000000034192910 Brene Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston and visiting professor at UT Austin, studies courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. She's authored six...
Claude McKay
Claude McKay 0000000108625951 Festus Claudius McKay, a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, was born in Jamaica and authored influential works including the poem “If We Must Die” and novel “Home to ...
justin a. reynolds
justin a. reynolds NONE Justin A. Reynolds is an acclaimed author renowned for his debut YA novel, “Opposite of Always,” and second novel “Early Departures.” His work includes a Marvel graphic novel ...
Minna Salami
Minna Salami 0000000492984923 Minna Salami, a writer and lecturer of Nigerian, Finnish, and Swedish descent, is the founder of award-winning blog, MsAfropolitan. The author of Sensuous Knowledge, she...
Quvenzhané Wallis
Quvenzhané Wallis 0000000401748045 Quvenzhané “Nazie” Wallis, born in 2003, is known for her role in 'Beasts of the Southern Wild', making her the youngest Oscar nominee for Best Actress. She also s...
George C. Fraser
George C. Fraser 0000000035434555 George Fraser, CEO of FraserNet, Inc., overcame adversity to lead a global networking movement for people of African descent. Born into a large family and orphaned a...
Zariah L. Banks
Zariah L. Banks NONE Zariah L. Banks, a multi-award-winning author, is renowned for her contemporary romance novels. She gained fame with her debut novel, “Beauty Beheld,” and Amazon bestselling nove...
Benita R. Dale
Benita R. Dale NONE Benita R. Dale is a champion of African-American literature and art, founding Dialogue magazine and the Alliance for Cultural Enrichment, Inc. She also runs Efficient Business Ser...
Cherlyn Michaels
Cherlyn Michaels NONE Cherlyn Michaels is a self-published author and chemical engineer who began writing in grade school. She pursued her passion for writing after graduating from university, bravel...
Tara Pringle Jefferson
Tara Pringle Jefferson NONE Tara Pringle Jefferson is the founder of The Self Care Suite, a digital wellness community for Black women. A certified breathwork facilitator and wellness advocate, her ...
Alaina E. Roberts
Alaina E. Roberts NONE Alaina E. Roberts, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of History at the University of Pittsburgh, specializing in Black and Native American history. She holds a Doctorate from In...
Patrick M. Oliver
Patrick M. Oliver NONE Patrick Oliver is a program manager and literary consultant promoting literacy as empowerment. He hosts Literary Nation Talk Radio, is a publisher and editor, and has worked in...
Charles Euchner
Charles Euchner NONE Euchner, a renowned author and speaker, explores the Civil Rights Revolution in his work, drawing lessons for today's world from the movement's “everyday heroism.” A Vanderbilt a...
Raoul Peck
Raoul Peck 0000000081402175 Raoul Peck is a renowned filmmaker known for narrative films and documentaries like Lumumba and I Am Not Your Negro. A jury member at Cannes and Berlinale, he chairs the b...
Jeff Chang
Jeff Chang 0000000367675451 Jeff Chang, renowned cultural critic and author of award-winning books such as 'Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation' and 'Who We Be: The Colorizatio...
Casey Gerald
Casey Gerald NONE Casey Gerald is the author of There Will Be No Miracles Here, a memoir that was named a Best Book of 2018 by NPR and The New York Times, a finalist for the LAMBDA Literary Award, a...
Delores Thornton
Delores Thornton NONE Indianapolis author Delores Thornton, celebrated for her novels “Ida Mae” and its sequel, is a member of the International Women’s Writing Guild and the African-American Online ...
Yvvette Edwards
Yvvette Edwards 000000012060298X London-based author, Yvvette Edwards, is best known for her debut novel “A Cupboard Full of Coats,” longlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Her work, focused on diverse ...
Ray Anthony Shepard
Ray Anthony Shepard 0000000084780219 “As a fifth-grader in Nebraska, I was one of the few Black students in the class, and when American slavery was taught I was embarrassed by the topic.”...
Leah Penniman
Leah Penniman 0000000499416929 Leah Penniman, a Black Kreyol farmer and James Beard Foundation Leadership Award recipient, is dedicated to advocating for an anti-racist food system. Co-founding direc...
Misty Copeland
Misty Copeland 0000000053252958 Misty Copeland, born in 1982, is a renowned soloist at the American Ballet Theatre and a recipient of the Leonore Annenberg Fellowship in the Arts. She resides in New ...
Robin W. Pearson
Robin W. Pearson NONE Robin W. Pearson is a Southern-rooted author whose writing is inspired by her family history and faith. A Wake Forest University graduate and experienced editor, she's been a fi...
Shannon Holmes
Shannon Holmes NONE Shannon Holmes, a Bronx native, turned his life around while serving a prison sentence by penning his first novel. Achieving success with his debut, “B-more Careful,” he secured a...
Mary Monroe
Mary Monroe 0000000029010860 Mary Monroe, a sharecropper's daughter and the first in her family to graduate high school, returned to the literary scene with her novel “God Don’t Like Ugly”, which sol...
camika c. spencer
camika c. spencer NONE Camika C. Spencer, a Dallas native, is a best-selling author known for her unique storytelling. After studying broadcasting, she discovered her writing talent at Black Images B...
Aaron McGruder
Aaron McGruder 0000000037086910 Aaron McGruder, born in Chicago in 1974, is best known for creating the comic strip The Boondocks. Inspired by hip hop and politics, he debuted his work online in 1996...
Clarence Page
Clarence Page 0000000034760818 Clarence Page is a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for the Chicago Tribune and frequents TV as a political pundit. He's known for his best-selling essay collection, Cu...
Akie F. Davis
Akie F. Davis NONE Akie F. Davis is a Houston-based writer and producer with a passion for film and a background in psychology and business. He co-owns Creole Creations and works for the Houston Acce...
Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry 0000000050119959 Born in 1969, Tyler Perry overcame a troubled childhood to become a successful actor, writer, and director. Inspired by Oprah Winfrey, he began writing letters to himself...
Michael W. Twitty
Michael W. Twitty 0000000048281199 Michael W. Twitty is a renowned culinary and cultural historian, creator of Afroculinaria, a blog focusing on African American historic foodways. Celebrated as one ...
J.B. Vample
J.B. Vample NONE J.B. Vample is an acclaimed author known for her New Adult fiction series, The College Life Series. She published her debut novel, College Life 101: Freshman Orientation, in 2015 and...
Claribel A. Ortega
Claribel A. Ortega NONE Claribel A. Ortega is a New York Times Bestselling author known for her debut novel Ghost Squad, which won multiple awards and is being made into a film. She co-hosts the Bad ...
Farrah Rochon
Farrah Rochon NONE Farrah Rochon, a Louisiana native and award-winning author, launched her writing career at Xavier University. She's known for her Holmes Brothers series, starting with her debut no...
zaji
zaji NONE Zaji is an accomplished author and freelance writer with a B.A. in English and M.S. in Journalism from Iona College. She's written a novel, poetry book, short stories, and is working on her...
Jacqueline Leigh
Jacqueline Leigh NONE Jacqueline Leigh is a children's book author and poet with a focus on Sierra Leone. Her notable works include a historical novel, The Heritage Keeper, and a nonfiction account o...
Deborah Fletcher Mello
Deborah Fletcher Mello 0000000036839925 Deborah Fletcher Mello is a multi-faceted author and Renaissance woman with diverse career experience. Her debut novel earned her a Best New Author nomination,...
Monique S. Hall
Monique S. Hall NONE Monique S. Hall, former basketball scholar, overcame a turbulent past involving crime and prison to become a bestselling author. Her debut novel, 'Two Tears In A Bucket', caught ...
Morowa Yejide
Morowa Yejide 0000000418442034 Morowa Yejidé, a Washington, DC native, is an acclaimed author recognized for her novel 'Time of the Locust'. A PEN/Bellwether and PEN/Bingham finalist, and NAACP Imag...
Dorothy West
Dorothy West 0000000117719538 Dorothy West (1907-1998) was an active participant in the Harlem Renaissance and the last surviving member. Known for her short stories, she debuted with her novel 'The ...
Nicole Dennis-Benn
Nicole Dennis-Benn 000000050158667X Nicole Dennis-Benn, an acclaimed author and Lambda Literary Award winner, is renowned for her debut novel 'Here Comes the Sun' which has received multiple accolade...
Nalo Hopkinson
Nalo Hopkinson 0000000084289358 Acclaimed author Nalo Hopkinson, known for her debut novel 'Brown Girl in the Ring', is a winner of multiple awards including the Locus Award and John W. Campbell Awar...
Sandy Daley
Sandy Daley NONE Sandy Daley, a versatile talent from Kingston, Jamaica, is an actress, author, and media personality known for her candidness. Her provocative novel, “Whose Vagina Is It, Really?” di...
Annette Vendryes Leach
Annette Vendryes Leach NONE Annette Vendryes Leach, a Brooklyn author and entrepreneur, transitioned from a successful advertising career to pursue her passion for fiction writing. She founded the Bl...
Stephanie Outten
Stephanie Outten NONE Stephanie Outten is a transformation coach, author and speaker who overcame personal struggles to find joy. She uses her experiences to guide others in her roles as the founder ...
Chigozie Obioma
Chigozie Obioma 000000007886845X “the heir to Chinua Achebe” (New York Times) Chigozie Obioma, born in Nigeria, is an award-winning author and professor of English at the University of Neb...
Brenda Lane Richardson
Brenda Lane Richardson NONE Brenda Lane Richardson is an award-winning author and trained minister known for her books like Story Power, Chesapeake Song and more. A former Oakland Tribune columnist, ...
D.T. Pollard
D.T. Pollard NONE D.T. Pollard, an Essence Bestselling author from Texas, discovered his passion for writing at a young age but paused during college. After a 25-year career in technology sales, he r...
Honeyb
Honeyb NONE Best-selling author HoneyB, also known as Mary B. Morrison, writes empowering novels addressing social and sexual issues. She self-published her debut novel “Soulmates Dissipate” in 2000 ...
Carolina Maria de Jesus
Carolina Maria de Jesus 0000000083875208 Carolina Maria de Jesus, born in 1914, was a Brazilian writer who highlighted life in favelas through her diaries. Despite facing extreme poverty and social o...
Kiki Swinson
Kiki Swinson NONE “Kiki captures the heat of the streets.” —Wahida Clark KiKi Swinson, born in Portsmouth, Virginia, discovered her writing talent while in federal prison, resulting ...
Mickey See-Asia
Mickey See-Asia NONE Michele D. Croswell, pen name Mickey See-Asia, is a New York-born author known for her impactful books that discuss her personal experiences with sexual abuse and empowering love...
Zee Edgell
Zee Edgell 000000005844502X Belizean author Zee Edgell, educated in London and the West Indies, is known for her debut novel, “Beka Lamb.” A former journalist and founding editor of The Reporter, she...
Brandy Colbert
Brandy Colbert 0000000409932699 Brandy Colbert is an award-winning author hailing from Missouri. Her work primarily focuses on young adult and children's literature, with titles such as “Little & Lio...
Malla Nunn
Malla Nunn 0000000040740979 Malla Nunn, born in Swaziland, is an acclaimed author with two Edgar nominations and a RUSA Best Mystery Novel Award. She won the L.A. Times Book Prize and Josette Frank A...
E. N. Joy
E. N. Joy NONE BLESSEDselling Author E.N. Joy, previously known as Joylynn M. Jossel, is an Essence Magazine Bestselling Author known for her “Soap Operas in Print” Divas series. The author, who has ...
Kopano Matlwa
Kopano Matlwa 0000000081937583 Kopano Matlwa, a South African writer and physician, is known for her novels 'Spilt Milk' and 'Coconut', both of which explore post-Apartheid era themes. Her debut nove...
Shaniqka Thomas
Shaniqka Thomas NONE Shaniqka Thomas is a trustworthy individual known for keeping secrets and offering non-judgmental advice. Her animated personality and genuine approachability have fueled her pas...
Alicia D. Williams
Alicia D. Williams 0000000493459573 Alicia D. Williams is a beloved teacher, oral storyteller, and award-nominated author. Known for her lively spirit, she blends drama and storytelling in her teachi...
Ann Petry
Ann Petry 0000000114367004 Did you know? Ann Petry’s first novel The Street was the first novel by an African American to sell more than a million copies. Ann Petry (1908–1997) was an acclaimed ...
Abi Daré
Abi Daré 0000000496183410 Abi Daré, a Nigerian-born author based in the UK, has studied law, International Project Management, and Creative Writing. She won the Bath Novel Award in 2018 for her debu...
Paul Beatty
Paul Beatty 0000000084014450 Paul Beatty, born 1962, the first American to win the Man Booker Prize in 2016 for his novel “The Sellout.” An LA native and graduate of Brooklyn College and Boston Unive...
Mitchell S. Jackson
Mitchell S. Jackson 0000000409614826 Mitchell S. Jackson Awarded the 2021 Pulitzer Prize in Feature Writing Mitchell S. Jackson is an acclaimed author and educator, known for his debut novel “The Resi...
Jessica Lewis
Jessica Lewis NONE Jessica Lewis is a Black author who writes in many eclectic genres. Her first novel, Bad Witch Burning, was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award, and she’s written everything from ...
Anita Bunkley
Anita Bunkley NONE Anita Richmond Bunkley is a highly-acclaimed author and motivational speaker. Overcoming initial rejections, she self-published her first novel and has since written five more, all...
La Jill Hunt
La Jill Hunt NONE La Jill Hunt, a best-selling author from Mobile, AL, is known for her urban chic-lit novels and contributions to the 'Around the Way Girls' series. Also an erotica writer, her works...
Elizabeth Nunez
Elizabeth Nunez 0000000080832288 Elizabeth Nunez, a Trinidad-born, award-winning author, wrote ten novels and a memoir, with several recognized by the New York Times and Oprah's book club. Her works,...