AALBC Search
Natashia Deón
Natashia Deón 0000000497327471 Natashia Deón is an NAACP Image Award nominee, attorney, professor, and author of the acclaimed novel, Grace. She has received numerous fellowships, including from PEN...
Kamilah Aisha Moon
Kamilah Aisha Moon 0000000073434556 Kamilah Aisha Moon (1973-2021), a Nashville native, was a renowned author featured in numerous publications and a professor of English and Creative Writing. She wa...
Usain Bolt
Usain Bolt 0000000120374593 Usain Bolt, born August 21, 1986, is recognized as the fastest person ever timed. He holds world records in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay, won six Olympic gold medals, ...
Sydney McLaughlin
Sydney McLaughlin NONE Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (born August 7, 1999) is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and world record–holding American sprinter and hurdler. In 2016, she made history at ...
Nelda LaTeef
Nelda LaTeef 000000008348432X Nelda LaTeef is an award-winning author and illustrator, known for acclaimed children's books like Animal Village and The Talking Baobab Tree. Her work has received nume...
Nikkolas Smith
Nikkolas Smith NONE Nikkolas Smith, a Texan Artivist, picture book author, and Hollywood illustrator, creates influential art that sparks social justice discussions. Known for his NAACP Image Award-n...
Dimitry Elias Leger
Dimitry Elias Leger NONE Dimitry Elias Léger, born in Haiti, is a former editor and writer for The Source, Fortune, and MTV News, with work in The New York Times and The Washington Post. A UN adviso...
Melvin Patrick Ely
Melvin Patrick Ely 0000000030403653 Melvin Patrick Ely is an acclaimed author and historian specializing in African American and Southern history. His prize-winning book, 'Israel on the Appomattox', ...
Jaron Lanier
Jaron Lanier 0000000118753199 Lanier is a globally renowned technology writer known for his humanistic approach. Awarded the 2014 Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, his internationally bestselling...
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey 0000000114722280 Mariah Carey is an author, entrepreneur, philanthropist, producer, and multiple award-winning artist and songwriter. She is the best-selling female artist of all time w...
Debra Owsley
Debra Owsley NONE Debra Owsley, avid reader and hairstylist, transformed her passion into a business, Simply Said Reading Accessories and LitVersation. She collaborates with bestselling authors, book...
Jean “Binta” Breeze
Jean “Binta” Breeze 0000000025335932 Jean “Binta” Breeze (1956–2021) was a renowned Jamaican poet who published eight books and performed globally. She first gained recognition in 1985 at the Inter...
Alexandra Morton
Alexandra Morton 0000000078676423 Alexandra Morton, host of The Book Look and 2011 Miss Black America-Baltimore, offers a unique online book review show on NewsOne.com. Featuring the latest book news...
Edwidge Danticat
Edwidge Danticat 000000011051509X Edwidge Danticat, a Haitian-born author, is renowned for her books like “Breath, Eyes, Memory”, an Oprah Book Club pick, and “The Farming of Bones”, an American Book...
John Keene
John Keene 0000000032165978 Winner 2022 National Book Award for Poetry John Keene, acclaimed author known for Annotations, has been published in various anthologies and journals, earning several award...
Jada Pinkett Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith 0000000114602158 Jada Pinkett Smith is a versatile American actress, singer-songwriter, and producer notable for roles in over 20 films including the Matrix and Madagascar series. ...
Parry Brown
Parry Brown NONE Parry “Ebony Satin” Brown, Author Parry “Ebony Satin” Brown is is the national best-selling author of What Goes Around (One World), Fannin ’ the Flames (One World/Balla...
Nancy Churnin
Nancy Churnin NONE Nancy Churnin is a celebrated children's book author, known for inspiring kids to be heroes through her stories. She's a Eureka Silver Award winner and has been recognized with the...
Mikki Arlene Ealey
Mikki Arlene Ealey NONE Mikki Arlene Ealey is a mother, author, CEO, and senior court office assistant. She is dedicated to healing the world and helping others reach their potential through her writ...
Maurice Ashley
Maurice Ashley 0000000082047654 Maurice Ashley, the first African-American International Chess Grandmaster, is a renowned coach, commentator, author, app designer, and motivational speaker. Known for...
Torman Jahi
Torman Jahi NONE Torman Jahi, for the last 27 years, has been known as an international hip-hop artist, born and raised in East Cleveland, Ohio, and calling Oakland home for the last 25 years. Jahi,...
Troy CLE
Troy CLE 0000000036353335 Troy Tompkins, aka Troy CLE, is a New Jersey-based fiction writer known for “The Marvelous Effect,” the first installment of The Marvelous World Saga. A Seton Hall Preparato...
Michael Cunningham
Michael Cunningham 0000000081609993 Michael Cunningham, a renowned commercial photographer, has published several photo essay books and worked with world's top corporations. Known for projects like “...
Safia Elhillo
Safia Elhillo 0000000464340864 Safia Elhillo, author of 'The January Children', is a celebrated Sudanese-American poet. She's notable for her 2016 Sillerman First Book Prize, 2018 Arab American Book ...
Ernest Morris
Ernest Morris 0000000071824075 EJ Morris, known as “The Urban Fiction Literary Guru,” debuted in the literary world in 2014 with his novel, Flippin Numbers. Raised on the tough streets of Pennsylvani...
Joseph S. Spence
Joseph S. Spence NONE Dr. Joseph S. Spence Sr. is a globally recognized author, poet, educator, and military veteran. He has authored over 200 peer-reviewed articles, ten poetry books, and co-founded...
Prince Joel Makonnen
Prince Joel Makonnen NONE “Doing well in business and doing good in society are inseparable missions” Prince Joel Makonnen, a direct descendant of Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia, is ...
Adam Russell Taylor
Adam Russell Taylor NONE Rev. Adam Russell Taylor, president of Sojourners, advocates for justice and peace. He has held numerous leadership roles including at the World Bank Group and World Vision U...
Jenin Mohammed
Jenin Mohammed NONE Jenin Mohammed, a talented illustrator from Florida, is renowned for her humorous and captivating art. Winner of the 2020 Summer Spectacular Illustration Grand Prize, her unique s...
Dionne Brand
Dionne Brand 0000000109071487 “The best poetry jolts and shocks, it mines language for what we have not seen, have not heard.” Dionne Brand is an acclaimed poet and novelist, known for win...
Michelle Meadows
Michelle Meadows NONE Michelle Meadows is a celebrated children's author of 10 books, best known for her debut, 'The Way The Storm Stops'. Her heartwarming stories, often read aloud, help children na...
Linda Addison and Alessandro Manzetti
Linda Addison and Alessandro Manzetti MULTIPLE Poets Linda D. Addison and Alessandro Manzetti have collaborated to create a unique poetry collection. The book, written across different time zones, fe...
Danez Smith
Danez Smith 0000000529080232 Danez Smith is an award-winning poet from St. Paul, Minnesota. Known for his works such as [insert] boy, his poetry explores themes of race, class, sexuality, faith, and ...
Chana Stiefel and Barrington Irving
Chana Stiefel and Barrington Irving MULTIPLE Captain Barrington Irving, at age twenty-three, broke records to become the youngest and first Black pilot to fly solo around the world. He grew up in Ja...
K. Reshay
K. Reshay NONE K. Reshay is a versatile author, poet, and playwright, known for her thought-provoking book series 'Appearances'. She is the Founder of Me Time Book Club, aimed at promoting literacy a...
Judine Slaughter
Judine Slaughter NONE Judine Slaughter, a publisher and author, started her career in 2000 by publishing her daughter's book. In 2022, she published her own book, “Clear Skinned.” She holds a master'...
Tony Medina
Tony Medina 0000000111019127 Tony Medina (Photo: WideVision Photography) was born in the South Bronx, raised in the Throgs Neck Housing Projects, and currently lives in the Washington, D...
David Nicholson
David Nicholson NONE David Nicholson, former editor and book reviewer for the Washington Post Book World, is the author of “Flying Home: Seven Stories of the Secret City.” He's a University of the Di...
Cathy Finch White
Cathy Finch White NONE Cathy Finch White, a former medical professional turned author, advocates for child education through reading. She has written four award-winning books, including “Anna Learn's...
Eryka Parker
Eryka Parker NONE Eryka is the moderator of AALBC’s Black Don’t Crack… Book Spines book club. Eryka Parker is an award-winning book coach and developmental editor who assists diverse writers in storyt...
Ariella Aïsha Azoulay
Ariella Aïsha Azoulay 0000000066540035 Ariella Aïsha Azoulay is a filmmaker, curator, and professor at Brown University, where she teaches political theory through an anti-colonial lens, drawing on ...
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...
Penny Mickelbury
Penny Mickelbury 0000000067623801 Penny Mickelbury is a celebrated playwright, journalist, and novelist, known for her work in fiction and script writing. She rose to prominence with her detective no...
Farrah Gray
Farrah Gray 0000000108020506 Dr. Farrah Gray was named as one of the most influential Black men in America by the National Urban League’s Urban Influence Magazine. Ebony Magazine recognized ...
Greg Thomas
Greg Thomas 0000000055234489 Greg Thomas is an esteemed jazz writer, editor, educator, and broadcaster. With works published in numerous publications, he was the founding Editor-in-Chief of Harlem Wo...
Haki Madhubuti
Haki Madhubuti 0000000114735014 Haki R. Madhubuti, a leading figure in Black literature, is a poet, publisher, editor, and educator. With over 30 published books and 3 million copies in print, he's o...
momowilly
momowilly NONE Monique A. Williams, also known as momowilly, is an author known for her unique writing style and deep understanding of human behavior. Influenced by her love for literature and pop cu...
Tameka Fryer Brown
Tameka Fryer Brown NONE Tameka Fryer Brown, a Charlotte-based author, is known for her award-winning children's books. Her debut, “Around Our Way on Neighbors’ Day,” sold over 100,000 copies. Her sec...
M.J. Fievre
M.J. Fievre NONE M.J. Fievre, a Haiti-born author, currently writing from Miami, began her publishing career as a teenager. Renowned for her nine French books, she also published a trilingual childre...
Patricia A. Saunders
Patricia A. Saunders NONE Patricia A. Saunders, an author from Connecticut, now based in San Francisco, began her writing journey after her mother's passing. She released her first book in 2012 and i...
Ta-Nehisi Coates
Ta-Nehisi Coates 0000000036544350 “I’ve been wondering who might fill the intellectual void that plagued me after James Baldwin died…clearly it is Ta-Nehisi Coates.” —To...
Shane W. Evans
Shane W. Evans 0000000038504360 Shane Evans is a renowned illustrator, artist and designer whose work has been recognized by The Boston Globe-Horn Book Award and The Orbis Pictus Award. His illustrat...
Robyn C. Spencer
Robyn C. Spencer 0000000117365645 Robyn C. Spencer is a historian and Associate Professor at Lehman College, CUNY. She specializes in post-WWII social protest, urban and working-class radicalism, and...
Charlamagne Tha God
Charlamagne Tha God 0000000486501489 Charlamagne Tha God, born Lenard McKelvey, is a renowned media personality and co-host of The Breakfast Club radio show and Brilliant Idiots podcast. He's also a ...
Kakwasi Somadhi
Kakwasi Somadhi NONE Kakwasi Somadhi Kakwasi is a seasoned writer and educator with an MFA in creative writing from Goddard College. She made her debut with the novel “Coming Forth by Day.” Besides t...
Gwen Richardson
Gwen Richardson NONE Gwen Richardson, co-founder of Cushcity.com, the largest African-American internet retailer, is a successful entrepreneur and writer with a marketing degree from Georgetown Unive...
Layla Saad
Layla Saad 000000049618806X Layla Saad is a global writer, speaker, and podcast host known for her work on race, identity, and social change. As a multicultural woman, she offers unique perspectives ...
Anosike Peter
Anosike Peter NONE Peter Anosike is a renowned development economist and motivational writer from Africa. Known for his best-selling book 'Dangote’s Ten Commandments on Money', he's acclaimed by Forb...
Desaray Mnyandu
Desaray Mnyandu NONE Desaray Mnyandu is a Turkey-born author and co-founder of Zulunomics, dedicated to integrating Zulu language into tech platforms. Passionate about world cultures, her children's ...
Terry Wells-Jones
Terry Wells-Jones NONE Terry Wells-Jones, a graduate from the University of Wisconsin, is a retired businesswoman and one of the first Black models of the 1960s. She broke barriers as the first woman...
Lauren Lacey
Lauren Lacey NONE Lauren Lacey, an indie Romance author and digital strategist, has optimized global brands including PwC. She's the former marketing lead for Mastercard and AMEX gift cards, and a Fo...
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...
Blair L.M. Kelley
Blair L.M. Kelley NONE Blair LM Kelley, Ph.D. is a renowned author, historian, and scholar of the African American experience. She is the seventh president of the National Humanities Center, the onl...
Hope Anita Smith
Hope Anita Smith 0000000032573509 Hope Anita Smith received a Coretta Scott King Book Award Author Honor for Keeping the Night Watch and a Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe New Talent Author Award for...
Angle S. Bush
Angle S. Bush NONE Angle S. Bush, an author, poet, and motivational speaker from Michigan, is known for her books “When I Cease to Exist” and “Soul of a Woman” aimed at fostering self-embrace and inn...
Rosheena Beek
Rosheena Beek NONE Rosheena Beek (1969-2019) was a successful author and bookstore owner known for her best-selling book, “I Find It So Hard.” Her works, including the popular second edition “Mommy S...
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...
Antwone Fisher
Antwone Fisher 0000000120179050 Antwone Fisher is an American screenwriter, poet, lecturer, and best-selling author known for his autobiographical book and film, “Antwone Fisher.” Born in an Ohio pri...
Marie Brown
Marie Brown 0000000376893266 Marie Brown is the first inductee into the Publishing Hall of Fame Marie Dutton Brown, President of Marie Brown Associates, is a highly experienced literary agent with ove...
Edward P. Jones
Edward P. Jones 0000000109223233 Edward P. Jones, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, was born and raised in Washington, D.C. and educated at Holy Cross College and the University of Virginia. Known for h...
Electa Rome Parks
Electa Rome Parks NONE Electa Rome Parks is a successful self-published author known for best-selling novels like The Ties That Bind and Loose Ends. After initially self-publishing through her own co...
Dina C. Tate
Dina C. Tate NONE Dina C. Tate, founder of Global Girls Squad in NYC, creates books for young girls of color, promoting cultural exploration and empowerment. She's an adjunct at NYU School of Profess...
Max Rodriguez
Max Rodriguez NONE Max Rodriguez is the founder and publisher of QBR/The Black Book Review, one of the nation’s premier publications dedicated to books by and about people of African descent. ...
The Black Dot
The Black Dot NONE The Black Dot is renowned for his insight into the metaphysical aspects of Hip Hop, contributing to various media outlets and authoring the game-changing book, “Hip Hop Decoded.” A...
Nia Damali
Nia Damali NONE Nia Damali, owner of Medu Bookstore and a prominent figure in the Black Book Ecosystem, is dedicated to promoting literacy and knowledge within the Black community. Editor of historic...
Pat Cummings
Pat Cummings 0000000067231736 Pat Cummings is an award-winning author and illustrator, known for creating over 30 children's books. She's worked on TV shows like Gullah Gullah Island and Cover to Cov...
Camryn King
Camryn King NONE Camryn King, a former lifestyle magazine senior writer and managing editor, is a world traveler who's lived in or visited 24+ countries and 42 states. She now writes suspense novels,...
Randy Krehbiel
Randy Krehbiel NONE Randy Krehbiel is a seasoned reporter for the Tulsa World, covering political affairs in Oklahoma and the US since 1979. He's also authored books about Tulsa's history and its loc...
Ashish J. Thakkar
Ashish J. Thakkar NONE Ashish J. Thakkar, CEO and Founder of Mara Group, is a renowned business leader with operations in 21 countries. Recognized by Forbes as one of Africa's most powerful men, he s...
Elaine Meryl Brown
Elaine Meryl Brown NONE Elaine Meryl Brown, former VP Creative Services at HBO and Creative Director at Showtime Networks, is an Emmy Award-winning writer with work featured in Essence and Women's Wo...
Robert O’Hara
Robert O’Hara 0000000055345883 Playwright and director Robert O'Hara is known for his award-winning works, including the Helen Hayes Award-winning play 'Antebellum'. He revamped 'The Wiz' for its rev...
Kai Leakes
Kai Leakes NONE Midwestern author Kai Leakes, developed a love for books early on, later evolving into a passion for storytelling. Now residing in Chicago, she's pursuing a doctorate while writing no...
Gerren Liles
Gerren Liles NONE Gerren Liles, a Morgan State University graduate and poet, uses his work to promote literacy and self-empowerment among black youth. A finalist for MTV's Real World: Hawaii, his poe...
Ali Mazrui
Ali Mazrui 0000000119710676 “One of the Top 100 Intellectuals in the World” Ali Al’amin Mazrui (1933-2014), a distinguished Kenyan academic and political writer, specialized in African and...
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 ...
Kamau Daa’ood
Kamau Daa’ood NONE Kamau Daa’ood is a Los Angeles-based performance poet, educator, and community arts activist. Known for his award-winning documentary, Life is a Saxophone, he's authored two poetry...
RuPaul
RuPaul 0000000055514093 RuPaul Andre Charles, a Tony and Emmy award-winning executive producer and host, is renowned for his contributions to the TV franchise RuPaul's Drag Race. Known for his music,...
N’Dri Thérèse Assié-Lumumba
N’Dri Thérèse Assié-Lumumba 0000000108799425 N'Dri Thérèse Assié-Lumumba is a Professor at Cornell University and President of WCCES. She directs the IAD and chairs UNESCO's SAC. A Fellow of the W...
Lana Reid
Lana Reid 0000000530613016 Lana Reid, author and relationship advocate, hosts “The Male Perspective” podcast and leads transformative workshops nationwide. Best known for her “Loving Him Better†...
Kim Chakanetsa
Kim Chakanetsa 0000000511632457 Kim Chakanetsa is an acclaimed Zimbabwean journalist with BBC World Service after stints at CNN and Associated Press. She hosts “The Conversation,” a show uniting wome...
Mũkoma wa Ngũgĩ
Mũkoma wa Ngũgĩ 0000000048742231 Mũkoma wa Ngũgĩ, an acclaimed novelist, poet, and essayist, is an Assistant Professor of English at Cornell University. He was shortlisted for the Caine Prize and Pen...
Olivia Duchess
Olivia Duchess NONE Olivia Duchess is an illustrator and creator of picture books. She was shortlisted for the 2020 World Illustration Award and received honorable mention for the FAB Prize 2017-2020...
Joe Louis
Joe Louis 0000000081503179 “You can run, but you can’t hide.” Joseph Louis Barrow (May 13, 1914 – April 12, 1981) was n professional boxer who reigned as world heavyweight cha...
Eugen Bacon, Cheryl S. Ntumy, and Stephen Embleton
Eugen Bacon, Cheryl S. Ntumy, and Stephen Embleton MULTIPLE Eugen Bacon is an African Australian author. She’s a British Fantasy and Foreword Indies Award winner, a twice World Fantasy Award finalis...
Toyomi Igus
Toyomi Igus NONE Toyomi Igus, a celebrated author and communications strategist, has had a varied career in publishing, corporate, and marketing communications. Known for her work in academic book pu...
Angela Flournoy
Angela Flournoy 0000000436914613 Angela Flournoy, author of The Turner House, a National Book Award finalist, has been recognized with numerous awards including the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize. A Nat...
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...
Noo Saro-Wiwa
Noo Saro-Wiwa 0000000367064597 Noo Saro-Wiwa, educated at Roedean School, King’s College London, and Columbia University, is best known for her acclaimed book, “Looking for Transwonderland: Travels i...
Neil Baldwin
Neil Baldwin 0000000108910963 Dr. Neil Baldwin, born in New York City, is a renowned author and scholar with a Ph.D. in Modern American Poetry. He has authored various poetry, textbooks, and biograph...
JaNay Brown-Wood
JaNay Brown-Wood NONE JaNay Brown-Wood is a celebrated children's author and educator, known for her award-winning book, “Imani's Moon.” She teaches as an ECE professor at American River College and ...