AALBC Search
John Strausbaugh
John Strausbaugh 0000000067554770 John Strausbaugh, born in 1951, is a renowned author and cultural commentator. Known for his authority on New York City's history, he also hosts The New York Times' ...
Jay-Z
Jay-Z 0000000118335528 Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter, born December 4, 1969, is a highly influential rapper with a net worth over $1B. He founded Roc Nation, an entertainment company launching a new publishin...
Brenda Jones and Krishan Trotman
Brenda Jones and Krishan Trotman MULTIPLE Brenda Jones, renowned for her 15-year role as communications director for Rep. John Lewis and co-author of an NAACP award-winning book, has vast experience ...
Stephanie Stokes Oliver
Stephanie Stokes Oliver NONE Stephanie Stokes Oliver is an accomplished publishing professional, heading SSO Media, serving as a literary scout for Atria Book Group and as author curator for Anguilla...
Lisa Renee Johnson
Lisa Renee Johnson NONE Lisa Renee Johnson, Sunshineologist and publishing coach, inspires individuals to shine in life and business. Co-founder of Sistahs on the Reading Edge book club and CEO of Br...
Stacy Spikes
Stacy Spikes NONE Stacy Spikes, co-founder of MoviePass and founder of Urbanworld Film Festival, is an award-winning entrepreneur and former film marketing executive. Recognized as one of the most in...
Nikki Woods
Nikki Woods NONE Nikki Woods is a multi-media personality, personal branding coach, and CEO of Nikki Woods Media. As senior producer of the Tom Joyner Morning Show, she reaches over 8 million listen...
T. D. Jakes
T. D. Jakes 0000000383058082 Bishop T.D. Jakes is the founder of The Potter’s House, a 30,000-member church and global humanitarian organization. Known for his best-selling books, he's recognized as ...
Judy Tyrus and Paul Novosel
Judy Tyrus and Paul Novosel MULTIPLE Judy Tyrus, a former principal ballerina with the Dance Theatre of Harlem and Oakland Ballet, now serves as a dance industry consultant and co-founder of ChromaDi...
Toni Tipton-Martin
Toni Tipton-Martin 0000000035718195 Toni Tipton-Martin is an award-winning food journalist and community activist, recognized for her efforts to promote healthier communities. She's a recipient of th...
Rasheda Ashanti Malcolm
Rasheda Ashanti Malcolm NONE Rasheda Ashanti Malcolm is a celebrated writer, playwright, and founder of Candace Magazine. She's received awards including the National Black Women Achievement Awards a...
Patrice Caldwell
Patrice Caldwell NONE Patrice Caldwell, a Wellesley College alumna, is the founder of People of Color in Publishing. She's an ex-children's book editor, current literary agent, and author, known for ...
Ayesha Rascoe
Ayesha Rascoe NONE Ayesha Rascoe, host of NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday and Up First's Saturday episodes, is a former White House correspondent who covered three presidential administrations. Prior to...
DuEwa M. Frazier
DuEwa M. Frazier NONE DuEwa Frazier is an accomplished writer, educator, and poet, renowned for her literary contributions and educational initiatives. Born in Brooklyn and raised in St. Louis, she f...
Krishan Trotman
Krishan Trotman NONE Krishan Trotman is Vice President and Publisher of Legacy Lit, the Hachette Book Group imprint she launched in 2020 to publish narrative nonfiction, fiction, and mission-driven ...
Sondra Kathryn Wilson
Sondra Kathryn Wilson NONE Dr. Sondra Kathryn Wilson was a senior associate at Harvard's W.E.B. Du Bois Institute, founder of the James Weldon Johnson Foundation, and executor of Johnson’s literary e...
Jessica Ann Mitchell Aiwuyor
Jessica Ann Mitchell Aiwuyor NONE Jessica Ann Mitchell Aiwuyor is a Washington DC-based cultural communications specialist and author. She founded the National Black Cultural Information Trust, using...
Noel Hankin
Noel Hankin NONE Noel Hankin, founder of The Best of Friends, Inc., pioneered disco nightlife in NYC, paving the way for the disco explosion of the '70s. A retired executive from Moët Hennessy USA a...
Wade Nobles
Wade Nobles 0000000082420463 Dr. Wade W. Nobles is a professor emeritus at San Francisco State University and founder of the Institute for the Advanced Study of Black Family, Life and Culture, Inc. A...
Tyriek White
Tyriek White 0000000517767141 Tyriek Rashawn White, a Brooklyn-based writer, musician, and educator, serves marginalized communities and leads Lampblack Lit, a literary foundation for Black writers. ...
Robert Liu-Trujillo
Robert Liu-Trujillo NONE Robert Liu-Trujillo is a California-based author and illustrator, co-founder of The Trust Your Struggle Collective and founder of Come Bien Books. He uses his art to tell cul...
Paulette Harper
Paulette Harper NONE Paulette Harper, an award-winning author and founder of WNL Coaching and Marketing Services, is an ordained Pastor and renowned inspirational speaker. She empowers women through ...
Monique Greenwood, Lynda Johnson, and Tracy Mitchell-Brown
Monique Greenwood, Lynda Johnson, and Tracy Mitchell-Brown MULTIPLE "Evalyn Hamilton, Lynda Johnson, and Monique Greenwood are key members of Go On Girl! Book Club. Hamilton is the Newsletter Editor,...
Marisa Renee Lee
Marisa Renee Lee NONE Marisa Renee Lee is a rabble-rouser of social healing: a former appointee in the Obama White House; managing director of My Brother’s Keeper Alliance; co-founder of the di...
J.M. Benjamin
J.M. Benjamin NONE Allow me to introduce you to one of the hardest working hustlers in urban lit: J.M. Benjamin J.M. Benjamin is a successful, powerful and impacting ...
Barbara A. Robinson
Barbara A. Robinson NONE Barbara A. Robinson is a multi-faceted individual; an author, businesswoman, and educator. She served the 40th legislative district in the Maryland Senate for 13 years and is...
Richard Jeanty
Richard Jeanty NONE Richard Jeanty is a nationally bestselling author and the founder of RJ Publications, a leading independent publishing house focused on Black literature. As an author, Jeanty has...
Vincent Tirado
Vincent Tirado NONE Vincent Tirado, a non-binary Afro-Latinx from Bronx, holds a Bachelor's in Biology and a Master's in Bioethics. They've contributed short stories to Desert Rose Lit Mag and FIYAH!...
Debra Phillips
Debra Phillips 0000000080337535 Debra Yvette Phillips is a diverse writer, creating works in categories like romance, mainstream, and chick-lit. She also writes under the pseudonym D.Y. Phillips, spe...
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...
Prince Shakur
Prince Shakur NONE Prince Shakur is a queer, Jamaican-American freelance journalist and cultural essayist. His work has been featured in prominent publications like Teen Vogue and Electric Lit. Shaku...
Karen Eubanks Jackson
Karen Eubanks Jackson NONE Karen Eubanks Jackson, a 27-year, four-time breast cancer survivor, is the founder and CEO of Sisters Network Inc., the only nationwide African American breast cancer survi...
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...
Tracy Grant
Tracy Grant NONE Tracy Grant, a Brooklyn-born writer, gained fame at Georgetown University as an editorial writer. He became Senior Editor at music magazine Straight From the Street while also freela...
Joe L. Dudley, Sr.
Joe L. Dudley, Sr. MULTIPLE Dr. Joe Louis Dudley, Sr. was a pioneering entrepreneur and founder of Dudley Products Inc., a major Black haircare brand. With his business acumen, he filled a market gap...
Ayo Sekai
Ayo Sekai NONE Dr. Ayo Sekai, founder and CEO of Universal Write Publications, is a scholar activist specializing in Black Politics and International Relations. She advocates for racial equity and an...
Erick S. Gray
Erick S. Gray NONE Erick S. Gray, an accomplished author since 1997, is known for his engaging mix of street style, comedy, and intricate plots. Born in Jamaica, Queens, his first book, Booty Call, w...
David J. Mason
David J. Mason NONE David J. Mason, digital publishing entrepreneur and founder of HMG ePublishing, is a seasoned executive with a deep interest in the history of his family and the Civil War. He's k...
Tia Ross
Tia Ross NONE Tia Ross, a multi-talented entrepreneur, is the founder of Black Writers Collective and Black Editors & Proofreaders. As an experienced editor for various domains, she offers extensive ...
Onyi Nwabineli
Onyi Nwabineli NONE Onyi Nwabineli, a Nigerian British author and social activist, is the co-founder of Surviving Out Loud and founder of Black Pens. Her multicultural upbringing and passion for head...
Troy Johnson
Troy Johnson 0000000530602616 “I lead the world's oldest and largest online platform dedicated to books by and about people of African descent.” Troy Demetrius Johnson, founder and President of AALBC....
W. Paul Coates
W. Paul Coates 0000000029319323 Coates Wins the 2024 Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation W. Paul Coates, founder of Black Classic Press, specializes in republishing significant work...
Debra Lee
Debra Lee NONE Debra Lee, a recognized figure in entertainment, serves on multiple boards including Warner Bros. Discovery and Marriott International. As the former CEO of Black Entertainment Televis...
Wahida Clark
Wahida Clark 0000000035597565 Wahida Clark, a New Jersey native, began her writing career while incarcerated and has published bestselling novels including the Thug Series. After her release, she bec...
Joylynn M. Jossel
Joylynn M. Jossel NONE Check the “Act Like an Author, Think Like a Business” 2018 Conference presented by Joylynn’s Path To Publishing (September 20 – 22, 2018) Joylynn M. Joss...
Angela Shanté
Angela Shanté NONE Angela was a Finalist for a 2024 National Book Award Angela Shanté is an award-winning children's book author, co-founder of Sunday Dinner Publishing, and DEI advocate in publishing...
Regina Brooks
Regina Brooks NONE Regina Brooks, founder and president of Serendipity Literary Agency LLC, combines expertise in engineering and literature with over a decade in senior publishing roles. A Howard Un...
Bobby Seale
Bobby Seale 0000000108724909 Bobby Seale, co-founder of the Black Panther Party, is a key figure in the civil rights and Black Power movements. He helped establish the party's ideology and Ten-Point ...
Thembisa S. Mshaka
Thembisa S. Mshaka NONE Thembisa S. Mshaka is a versatile creative executive, author, producer, filmmaker, and voice actor, renowned for her award-winning global ad campaigns and writings. She is the...
Michelle Gipson
Michelle Gipson NONE Michelle Gipson, Founder of Written magazine, has 15+ years in publishing and media as a writer, radio personality, and advertising executive. With degrees from Hampton Universit...
Michelle Gadsden-Williams
Michelle Gadsden-Williams NONE Michelle Gadsden-Williams is the Co-Founder and COO of Ceiling Breakers LLC, a NYC-based firm specializing in diversity consulting and women's empowerment. She holds de...
Kalamu ya Salaam
Kalamu ya Salaam 0000000067470753 Kalamu ya Salaam is the founder of NOMMO Literary Society and Runagate Press, leader of the WordBand, and a celebrated poet and educator. Born on March 24, 1947, he ...
Arthur R. Flowers
Arthur R. Flowers NONE Arthur Flowers, a Vietnam veteran, blues singer, and Memphis native, is a co-founder of the New Renaissance Writer's Guild and a notable performance poet. He teaches at Syracus...
Grace Aneiza Ali
Grace Aneiza Ali NONE Grace Aneiza Ali is a Curator, Assistant Professor, and Provost Fellow at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. She specializes in socially engaged art, global contemporary art, and C...
Lynda Johnson
Lynda Johnson NONE Lynda Johnson, co-founder of Go On Girl! Book Club, supported authors from the African diaspora and helped fund scholarships. She also founded Kidstylesource.com, a leading website...
Zanele Muholi
Zanele Muholi 0000000120987488 Zanele Muholi, born 1972, is a South African visual activist and award-winning photographer. They are the co-founder of the Forum for the Empowerment of Women and found...
Tarana Burke
Tarana Burke NONE Tarana Burke, founder of the “me too” movement, is dedicated to combating sexual violence and systemic issues affecting marginalized communities. She started her activism in the 198...
Michael Beckwith
Michael Beckwith 0000000110546515 Michael Beckwith is a New Thought minister, author, and founder of Agape International Spiritual Center. He co-founded the Association for Global New Thought and fea...
Armstrong Williams
Armstrong Williams 0000000035375700 Armstrong Williams, born in 1962, is a recognized conservative voice, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and author. He hosts a weekly TV show and is the founder and CE...
Randal Pinkett
Randal Pinkett NONE Dr. Randal Pinkett is an entrepreneur, author, and scholar. He is the CEO of BCT Partners, a consulting firm working in various sectors. Pinkett co-founded Inner City Consulting G...
Cassandra Mack
Cassandra Mack NONE Cassandra Mack, founder of Strategies for Empowered Living Inc., is an author and life coach. Known for her blogs, books and radio appearances, she offers practical tools for succ...
Daniel Black
Daniel Black NONE Daniel Omotosho Black, a Kansas City native, is an accomplished scholar and author. Raised in Arkansas, he studied English at Clark College under a full scholarship, later attending...
Kehinde Andrews
Kehinde Andrews 0000000459713136 Kehinde Nkosi Andrews is a Professor of Black Studies at Birmingham City University, founder and director of the Centre for Critical Social Research, and co-founder o...
Fred Lee Hord
Fred Lee Hord NONE Dr. Fred Lee Hord, born in 1941, is the founder and Executive Director of the Association for Black Culture Centers. He's a professor at Knox College and Director of its Africana S...
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...
Leah Hernandez
Leah Hernandez NONE Leah Hernandez is the Founder and CEO of Muse Inc., an award-winning publishing company committed to amplifying diverse voices in adult fiction and nonfiction. Muse Inc. includes...
The Editors of Life Magazine
The Editors of Life Magazine NONE Life Magazine, an American publication, ran from 1883-2002, initially as a humor and general interest magazine. Bought by Time founder Henry Luce in 1936, it became ...
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...
Mary-Frances Winters
Mary-Frances Winters NONE Mary-Frances Winters, founder of the Winters Group Inc., is a renowned diversity and inclusion consultant with over 30 years of experience. Recognized by Forbes and awarded ...
Billy Carson
Billy Carson NONE Billy Carson, born in 1971, is the CEO of 4BiddenKnowledge Inc, and bestselling author of works like “The Compendium Of The Emerald Tablets.” He runs a conscious streaming TV networ...
Shaunie Henderson
Shaunie Henderson NONE Shaunie Henderson, founder and CEO of Amirah, Inc., is the powerhouse behind the hit reality TV show, Basketball Wives. Committed to diversifying entertainment and empowering m...
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. ...
Patricia Reid-Merritt
Patricia Reid-Merritt NONE Dr. Patricia Reid-Merritt is a distinguished professor at Richard Stockton College, founder of Afro-One Dance, Drama and Drum Theatre, and an award-winning social worker. K...
Askhari Johnson Hodari
Askhari Johnson Hodari NONE Askhari Johnson Hodari, Ph.D. is a Black/Africana Studies practitioner, author, and founder of de Griot Space, an online workshop for Black writers. With a B.A. from Spelm...
Monique Couvson
Monique Couvson NONE Monique Couvson, Ed.D. is a scholar and author with over 20 years of experience in education, civil rights, and social justice. She's known for her work on improving conditions f...
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture 000000040525486X Troy Johnson, founder of AALBC.com, is involved with the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, a NYPL research library and ar...
Glen Ford
Glen Ford 0000000368549254 Glen Ford (1949-2021) was the executive director of Black Agenda Report and co-founder of BlackCommentator.com. A Vietnam War veteran and Black Panther member, he had a pro...
EbonyJanice
EbonyJanice NONE EbonyJanice is a lecturer, speaker, and preacher with a focus on areas like Hip Hop Scholarship and Decolonizing Authority. She holds a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology and Political Sc...
Darcel Turner
Darcel Turner NONE Darcel Turner, a New York native, is an accomplished author known for her novel, “Dana Dances on Paper.” She has attended various colleges, transcribed for The 4th National Black W...
Beauty Bragg
Beauty Bragg 0000000125620829 Beauty Bragg is a Professor of African American Literature at Georgia College with a BA from USC and a MA and Ph.D from UT Austin. She authored a book exploring black wo...
Doni Glover
Doni Glover NONE Doni Glover is the founder of the Original Black Wall Street SERIES and blackwallstreetnews.com. He's an influential voice in Maryland's black community, often sought for insights on...
Ianna A. Small
Ianna A. Small NONE Ianna A. Small, founder and executive editor of midnight & indigo, a platform dedicated to promoting Black women's literature, oversees both digital and print platforms and the Wr...
Victoria Kennedy
Victoria Kennedy NONE Victoria Kennedy, author of 'Where Love Goes' and debut novel 'Sometimes Love', contributes to the Literary Café Magazine and is the founder of Zora’s Den, a group for Black wo...
Tajuana “TJ” Butler
Tajuana “TJ” Butler NONE Tajuana “TJ” Butler-Jackson, founder of Lavelle Publishing, is honing her skills as an actor and director. She's completed her first short film and lives in Indianapolis with...
Bibi Bakare-Yusuf
Bibi Bakare-Yusuf 0000000389704663 Bibi Bakare-Yusuf, co-founder and publishing director of Cassava Republic Press, is a renowned gender and research consultant with a PhD in Women and Gender Studies...
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...
Brian Keith Harris II
Brian Keith Harris II NONE Brian Keith Harris II is an acclaimed educator and speaker, renowned for advancing education for black and brown children. He founded Cultivating Young Kings and Sons of Fr...
Daphne A. Brooks
Daphne A. Brooks 0000000036317932 Daphne A. Brooks is a Yale University professor and co-founder of the Black Sound & the Archive Working Group. She is an award-winning author known for her works on ...
George Alexander
George Alexander 0000000074080876 George Alexander is the award-nominated founder of Galex Media Group, specializing in film and video production. Formerly an editor-at-large at Black Enterprise maga...
Tamika Newhouse
Tamika Newhouse NONE Tamika Newhouse is a self-published author and founder of Delphine Publications. Recognized as Self Published Author of the Year in 2009 and 2011, she also received an award for ...
Alexis Pauline Gumbs
Alexis Pauline Gumbs 000000011229354X Alexis Pauline Gumbs is a queer black feminist and academic who has pioneered archival research in Black feminist geniuses' works. She founded grassroots publish...
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...
Cheryl Robinson
Cheryl Robinson NONE Cheryl Robinson, a Detroit-born author, transformed her life from a career in marketing to writing. She began with self-publishing, before transitioning to Penguin Books' imprint...
Miko Branch
Miko Branch NONE Miko Branch, CEO and co-founder of Miss Jessie's LLC, revolutionized the hair care industry with products for natural and curly hair. Featured on numerous magazine covers, recognized...
Jean Alicia Elster
Jean Alicia Elster NONE Jean Alicia Elster, a 2017 Kresge Artist Fellow and former attorney, is an acclaimed author of children's novels. Her book, The Colored Car, was a 2014 Michigan Notable Book a...
Leonidas A. Johnson
Leonidas A. Johnson NONE Rev. Dr. Leonidas A. Johnson, a licensed optometrist and third-generation preacher, is the founder of Crystal Fountain Ministries and The Crystal Fountain Culture and Vision ...
Peter J. Harris
Peter J. Harris NONE Peter J. Harris, founder of The Black Man of Happiness Project, explores African American life and history through a unique lens: the happiness of Black men. This innovative proj...
Jeff Edwards
Jeff Edwards 0000000379483254 Rev. Dr. Jefferson Edwards, a senior pastor and founder of the Freedom Christian Center Church in Missouri, is a renowned author and international minister with over 43 ...
Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman
Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman NONE Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman, Ed.D., is the Executive Director at the Hurston Wright Foundation, former Director at Montgomery Community Media, and a successful playwright who...
Saraciea J. Fennell
Saraciea J. Fennell NONE Saraciea J. Fennell is a Black Honduran American writer, founder of The Bronx is Reading, and creator of Honduran Garifuna Writers. She is also a book publicist who has worke...