AALBC Search
Ben Okri
Ben Okri 0000000121401864 Ben Okri, an award-winning poet and novelist, was born to an Igbo mother and Urhobo father in Nigeria. He had his early education in London, furthered his studies in England...
Ben Carson, Ben Crump, and Armstrong Williams
Ben Carson, Ben Crump, and Armstrong Williams MULTIPLE Ben Carson, Ben Crump, and Armstrong Williams are influential figures in their fields. Carson is a renowned neurosurgeon and author, Crump is a ...
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...
Ben Crump
Ben Crump NONE Renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump is nationally recognized for representing high-profile cases such as Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown. Named 2014 NNPA Newsmaker of the Year, a...
Questlove and Ben Greenman
Questlove and Ben Greenman MULTIPLE Questlove and Ben Greenman are renowned authors known for their compelling works. Questlove is a Grammy-winning musician, while Greenman is a noted editor and nove...
Sly Stone and Ben Greenman
Sly Stone and Ben Greenman MULTIPLE Sly Stone and Ben Greenman are renowned authors, known for their impactful writing styles. Stone's expertise lies in music critique, while Greenman excels in ficti...
George Clinton with Ben Greenman
George Clinton with Ben Greenman MULTIPLE George Clinton and Ben Greenman are renowned authors, noted for their unique works. Clinton is a music legend, while Greenman is a celebrated novelist and jo...
Ben Philippe
Ben Philippe 0000000483249062 Ben Philippe is a New York-based writer, originally from Haiti. He has degrees from Columbia University and The Michener Center, and teaches screenwriting at Barnard. He...
Ben McBride
Ben McBride NONE Rev. Ben McBride is an acclaimed faith leader and activist known globally as a speaker. Founder of Empower Initiative and Bring the HEAT campaign, and former director of PICO Califor...
Tahar Ben Jelloun
Tahar Ben Jelloun 0000000121355386 Tahar Ben Jelloun is a renowned Moroccan author known for his novels, essays, and poetry. He's frequently nominated for the Nobel Prize and contributes to internati...
Ben Brooks
Ben Brooks 0000000358343148 Ben Brooks, born in 1992, is a prolific author from Gloucestershire. Known for six novels including the AALBC bestseller 'Stories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different', Brook...
Marlon McCaulsky, K. Roland Williams, and Ben Blaze
Marlon McCaulsky, K. Roland Williams, and Ben Blaze MULTIPLE Marlon McCaulsky, K. Roland Williams, and Ben Blaze are renowned authors known for their compelling works. Their unique writing styles hav...
Maloyd Ben Wilson
Maloyd Ben Wilson NONE Maloyd “Ben” Wilson is the entrepreneurial force behind Black Chronicle book, holding multiple roles including Owner, CEO, Publisher, and Founder. Maloyd “Ben” Wilson is the Ow...
Ben Passmore
Ben Passmore NONE Ben Passmore is a renowned author, known for his compelling narratives and vivid illustrations. His works often explore social issues, providing unique and thought-provoking perspec...
Yosef Ben-Jochannan and George Simmonds
Yosef Ben-Jochannan and George Simmonds MULTIPLE Yosef Ben-Jochannan and George Simmonds
Ben Burgess Jr.
Ben Burgess Jr. NONE Ben Burgess Jr. is an award-winning author and spoken word poet known for inspiring youths. His works, including the novel 'Monster' and the poetry book 'Times Have Changed and L...
Ben Greenman
Ben Greenman 0000000043364577 Ben Greenman, a New Yorker contributor and New York Times bestselling author, writes both fiction and non-fiction. Notably, he collaborated with Questlove on a hip-hop m...
George Simmonds
George Simmonds NONE George Simmonds co-authored The Black Man's North and East Africa with Yosef Ben-Jochannan. his work explores the historical and cultural significance of African civilizations in...
Cathie Wright-Lewis
Cathie Wright-Lewis NONE Cathie Wright-Lewis, a lover of linguistics, ancient history, and metaphysics, is a former NYC high school English teacher with a passion for diverse cultures and dialects. O...
Ben Jealous
Ben Jealous 0000000417015073 Benjamin Todd Jealous is a notable American civil rights leader and social impact investor. He was the youngest-ever national leader of the NAACP (2008-2013) and ran for ...
Ben Carson
Ben Carson 0000000110700201 Dr. Benjamin Carson, once a child from a poor, single-parent home, overcame challenges to fulfill his dream of becoming a physician. Now, he's a renowned pediatric neurosu...
Leila Aboulela
Leila Aboulela 0000000108556255 Sudanese-born author Leila Aboulela writes in English, exploring identity, migration and Islamic spirituality. Her work, influenced by her move from Sudan to Scotland ...
Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin
Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin MULTIPLE Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, founders of The Trayvon Martin Foundation, work to raise awareness of gun violence and racial profiling's impact on families ...
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...
Amiri Baraka
Amiri Baraka 0000000446460520 Amiri Baraka, also known as LeRoi Jones, was a prolific 20th-century African American writer, poet, and Obie-winning playwright. Known for works such as “Blues People” a...
Lucy Terry
Lucy Terry NONE Lucy Terry Prince, born in West Africa (1730-1821), was a poet, storyteller, and activist known for being the first African American woman to compose a poem. Kidnapped and sold into s...
Dudley Randall
Dudley Randall 0000000114554651 Dudley Randall (1914-2000), a prominent Detroit poet and publisher, began his career at 13 with his first publication. He founded Broadside Press in 1965, promoting Af...
Fenton Johnson
Fenton Johnson 0000000038623095 Fenton Johnson (1888-1958) was an African American poet, essayist, and editor who significantly contributed to the Harlem Renaissance. His work, including his well-kno...
Luvon Roberson
Luvon Roberson NONE Luvon Roberson is a versatile writer recognized for her poetry, flash fiction, and ethnographic fiction. She actively reports on the literary world and contributes to community bu...
Saul Williams
Saul Williams 0000000055187280 Saul Williams, hailed as the “Bob Marley of American poets” is a celebrated poet, actor, and spoken-word artist. Known for his vibrant and fearless writing, Williams ha...
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 ...
Van Whitfield
Van Whitfield 000000004215157X Van Whitfield, an acclaimed novelist, rose to fame with his debut book, “Beeperless Remote,” earning him 6 Ben Franklin Award nominations. Despite initial struggles wit...
Peter Mutabazi with Mark Tabb
Peter Mutabazi with Mark Tabb MULTIPLE Peter Mutabazi is an entrepreneur, an adoptive dad of three, a foster dad, and the founder of Now I Am Known. A former street kid who has worked for World Vis...
Jacob Stroyer
Jacob Stroyer 0000000028767095 Source: Jacob Stroyer, My Life in the South (enlarged edition; Salem, Mass., 1898) – Download a pdf version of My Life in the South One of fifteen children,...
Wanda Coleman
Wanda Coleman 0000000116780476 “I have yet to kill anyone—I have exhibited great restraint.” Wanda Coleman (1946-2013) was a renowned poet, former medical secretary, magazine editor,...
Chris Hayden
Chris Hayden NONE Chris Hayden, born 1950, is a renowned poet and editor. His work has featured in numerous magazines and e-zines, including Drumvoices, Black Thought, and Delmar. He is known for his...
Charles R. Smith Jr.
Charles R. Smith Jr. NONE Charles R. Smith Jr. is an acclaimed author, poet, and photographer with over 30 books. He's a recipient of the Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration and Honor Author Aw...
Kyra D. Gaunt
Kyra D. Gaunt 0000000061596283 Kyra D. Gaunt is a college professor, jazz vocalist, author, and songwriter specializing in race, gender, and African American music. With a career in education startin...
Peter Kimani
Peter Kimani 000000004389720X Dr. Peter Kimani, a renowned African author and poet, has contributed to literature, journalism, and academia. Born in Kenya (1971), he began as a journalist, wrote seve...
Amena Brown
Amena Brown NONE Amena Brown is a writer, spoken word poet, and performing artist whose work blends storytelling, poetry, and humor. She is the author of five spoken word albums and two nonfiction b...
Gabriel Okara
Gabriel Okara 0000000109284773 Gabriel Okara, a self-taught Nigerian poet and novelist, is known for his multilingual poetry and award-winning piece 'The Call of the River Nun'. His works, characteri...
Juan Boria
Juan Boria NONE Jaime Torres Torres, known as Juan Boria, was a celebrated Puerto Rican poet and actor born in 1906. Despite humble beginnings, he earned a university degree and taught for 37 years. ...
Melania Luisa Marte
Melania Luisa Marte NONE Melania Luisa Marte is a New York-based writer, poet, and musician, known for her viral poem “Afro-Latina.” With over nine million views, her work is recognized by platforms ...
Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond
Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond NONE Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond is a writer and cum laude Vassar College graduate. She has written for various publications including AOL and Parenting Magazine. Her works include ...
Robert Hayden
Robert Hayden 0000000114660665 Hayden was Named U.S. Poet Laureate for (1976–1978) Robert Hayden (1913-1980) was a renowned African-American poet, essayist, and educator. He was the first Africa...
Eric M. Cooper
Eric M. Cooper NONE Eric Mann Cooper is a New Jersey-based Sci-Fi/Superhero author known for his Knight Seeker series set in the modern Tri-State area. He recently started a new series, Star Enforcer...
Cicely Lewis
Cicely Lewis NONE Cicely Lewis, a Georgia-based school librarian, is passionate about fostering reading habits. She initiated the Read Woke challenge in 2017, addressing social issues and literature ...
Jupiter Hammon
Jupiter Hammon 000000038947276X Jupiter Hammon (1711-1806), a born slave, became the first African-American writer to be published in the US in 1761. Encouraged to learn reading and writing, he serve...
Carl Patterson
Carl Patterson NONE Carl Patterson started writing at 45, inspired by his late wife's positive outlook on life. Initially a poet, he transitioned into novel-writing upon her suggestion. His works, in...
Shakir Rashaan
Shakir Rashaan NONE Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste his talent, but must develop it.” —Pope Jo...
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...
Colin Channer
Colin Channer 0000000066632589 Colin Channer, born in Jamaica, is a celebrated author and editor known for his poetry collection 'Providential' and bestselling novel 'Waiting in Vain'. He's also the ...
Sharina Harris
Sharina Harris NONE Sharina Harris, also known as Rina Gray, is a celebrated author of women's fiction and contemporary romance. With her background in digital marketing, she's a Romance Slam Jam nom...
Johnathan Isom
Johnathan Isom NONE Johnathan Isom, a Memphis-based anesthesiologist, turned novelist, was driven to write a book he'd enjoy. Tired of deceit-focused contemporary fiction, he sought to create a diffe...
Richard Morris
Richard Morris 000000002791695X Richard A. Morris is a Harvard Business School alumnus, Vietnam war veteran and former building code specialist turned novelist. Known for his critically acclaimed nov...
Deloris Jordan
Deloris Jordan NONE Deloris Jordan, mother of NBA star Michael Jordan, is a bestselling children's book author and advocate for families. Known for works like “Salt in His Shoes,” she also contribute...
Alexander Smalls
Alexander Smalls 0000000458935095 Alexander Smalls, an iconic American chef and owner of award-winning NYC restaurants, is also a co-author of a James Beard award-winning cookbook and a globally reco...
Pamela M. Tuck
Pamela M. Tuck NONE Pamela M. Tuck, an award-winning children's author from North Carolina, was inspired to become a writer by her family's storytelling traditions. Her love for stories began in her ...
Pat Cleveland
Pat Cleveland NONE Patricia Cleveland, born on June 23, 1950, is a pioneer in the fashion industry as one of the first prominent Black runway and print models. Discovered by Vogue assistant fashion e...
Princess F.L. Gooden
Princess F.L. Gooden NONE Born and raised in Atlanta, Princess F. L. Gooden is a gifted writer, poet, and dramatist. She started writing at a young age, and by 13, she had written and directed plays ...
William Attaway
William Attaway 000000007689315X William Attaway (1911–1986) was born in Mississippi, the son of a physician who moved his family to Chicago to escape the segregated South. Attaway was an indi...
Bill Murray
Bill Murray 0000000117750359 Bill Murray, a renowned comic artist and illustrator, started at Johnson Publishing Company before founding BAM Productions in 1985. He works with Real Times Media and ha...
Nate Parker
Nate Parker 0000000050528453 Actor and humanitarian Nate Parker rose to fame with his role in “The Great Debaters” and has starred in films like “Non-Stop” and “Ain't Them Bodies Saints.” Recognized ...
Dwayne McDuffie
Dwayne McDuffie 0000000120367289 Dwayne McDuffie (February 20, 1962 – February 21, 2011) was a comic and television writer. He was known for creating the animated television series Static ...
Margaret Wilkerson Sexton
Margaret Wilkerson Sexton 0000000475938968 Margaret Wilkerson Sexton, a New Orleans native, is a Dartmouth and UC Berkeley School of Law graduate. She's a Lombard fellowship recipient and author whos...
Michael Thomas
Michael Thomas 0000000459097580 Michael Thomas, a Boston native, has diverse experiences as a cab driver, carpenter, restaurateur, and filmmaker. An alumnus of Hunter and Warren Wilson College, he is...
Gene Barretta
Gene Barretta NONE Gene Barretta is an acclaimed children's book author and illustrator, known for titles like “Lincoln and Kennedy: A Pair to Compare.” He has won the Carolyn W. Field Award and Bank...
Mara Rockliff
Mara Rockliff 0000000074221018 Mara Rockliff is a celebrated children's author known for her historical books such as the Cook Prize-winning 'Mesmerized'. Recent titles include the acclaimed 'Lights!...
W.D. Foster-Graham
W.D. Foster-Graham NONE W.D. Foster-Graham, a Minneapolis native and multi-Grammy Award-winning ensemble member, is a distinguished author and poet. He's a psychology graduate, guest writer, and book...
Kenji Jasper
Kenji Jasper 0000000002779450 “My name is Kenji Nathaniel Jasper and I am author. But I know that in this day and age ‘authors’ come a dime a dozen. It is no longer an event when one of ou...
Cassandra Foster
Cassandra Foster NONE Cassandra Foster, a computer industry veteran with advanced degrees in computational linguistics, is a Washington DC-based author. She writes juvenile books funded by arts organ...
China Robinson
China Robinson NONE China Robinson is a motivational speaker and author who uses her personal experiences to inspire others towards self-empowerment and overcoming obstacles. Managing her supermodel ...
K. Elliott
K. Elliott NONE K. Elliott, raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, overcame a difficult early life involving poverty, the drug trade, and jail. Encouraged by a professor, he pursued writing, excelling ...
Curtis Bunn
Curtis Bunn NONE Curtis Bunn, a successful novelist, broke into the literary scene in 2001 with his hit novel, “Baggage Check,” which topped the Essence bestsellers list. Recognized for his honest po...
Mildred Pitts Walter
Mildred Pitts Walter 0000000074049983 Mildred Pitts Walter, born on September 9, 1922, in Louisiana, overcame segregation and societal barriers to become a renowned author. Despite limited access to ...
Alice Faye Duncan
Alice Faye Duncan 0000000067711692 Alice Faye Duncan is a librarian and author, crafting books for young readers and adults. She aspires to write lyrical prose that compels children to read repetitiv...
Sierra Kay
Sierra Kay 0000000461326725 Sierra Kay is an award-winning author with a love for the written word. Encouraged by her mother to read widely, she has a fondness for everything from classical literatur...
Glory Edim
Glory Edim NONE Glory Edim is the founder of Well-Read Black Girl, a platform celebrating Black literature. With over 10 years of experience as a creative strategist, she currently assists writers at...
Bettye Chitman Haysbert
Bettye Chitman Haysbert NONE Dr. Bettye Chitman Haysbert, a veteran in school reform, has championed the cause of improving education for African American students. A former SF Unified School Distric...
Dylan Allen
Dylan Allen NONE Dylan Allen is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author who began her career as a lawyer before turning to writing in the year leading up to her 40th birthday. What st...
Sue Nyathi
Sue Nyathi 0000000382489964 Sukoluhle “Sue” Nyathi was born, bred, and buttered in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and now resides in South Africa. She describes herself as an analyst by profession and a writer...
Unathi Slasha
Unathi Slasha 0000000500092539 Unathi Slasha is a South African writer and literary scholar from Despatch, Port Elizabeth, known for reimagining and subverting Nguni folklore. He describes his work ...
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan 0000000114554934 Michael Jordan, former professional basketball player, played 15 seasons in NBA for Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards. He's also a businessman, owner and chairman o...
Taiye Selasi
Taiye Selasi 0000000384492964 Taiye Selasi, born in 1979, is an accomplished writer and photographer. Raised in Massachusetts by Nigerian and Ghanaian physicians, she earned degrees from Yale and Oxf...
Michael R. French
Michael R. French NONE Michael R. French, a Stanford English graduate and Northwestern Journalism master's holder, is an acclaimed author of over 20 books and award-winning screenplays. A former US A...
Pat Simmons
Pat Simmons 0000000055458378 Pat Simmons, a seasoned author with 10 years of experience and 30+ titles to her name, is a passionate genealogy sleuth who often casts her ancestors in her novels. She h...
Victor Headley
Victor Headley 0000000066512106 Victor Headley, born in Jamaica in 1959, is a renowned author known for his debut novel 'Yardie'. His work, exploring the life of a Jamaican courier, helped launch X P...
Danielle Legros Georges
Danielle Legros Georges NONE Danielle Legros Georges, a professor at Lesley University, is a renowned writer and poet with interests in arts, education, American and African-American poetry, Caribbea...
Henry Norman
Henry Norman 000000011072158X Henry Norman (1843-1933), a renowned author from Pennsylvania, penned his timeless thoughts on race, religion, politics, and relationships. His notable works, Thoughts I...
Jose Andres and Matt Goulding
Jose Andres and Matt Goulding MULTIPLE Matt Goulding, an Emmy- and James Beard Award-winning writer, is a bestselling author and cofounder of Roads & Kingdoms. José Andrés, a Michelin-starred chef ...
Yolanda T. Marshall
Yolanda T. Marshall NONE Yolanda T. Marshall, born in Guyana, is a writer and manager for Canada's largest Academic Publishing Company. With a passion for guitar and poetry, she published her first b...
Desmond Tutu and Dalai Lama
Desmond Tutu and Dalai Lama MULTIPLE The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is a Buddhist monk and spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism and its people. Born 1935 in Tibet, he won the Nobel Peace Prize i...
Kimberly R. Lock
Kimberly R. Lock NONE Kimberly Rochelle Lock is a multitalented individual, known for her advanced academic abilities and musical prowess. She began pre-college courses at 11, was a state spelling be...
Loida Lewis
Loida Lewis 000000008483319X Loida Nicolas Lewis is a Filipino-American CEO, immigration lawyer, and philanthropist. As the current chairperson of TLC Beatrice, she oversees diverse business sectors....
Maryse Conde
Maryse Conde 000000012279820X Maryse Condé, born in Guadeloupe in 1937, is a renowned author and academic. Educated at Lycée Fénelon and the Sorbonne, she taught in Africa and several US universit...