AALBC Search
Diana Veiga
Diana Veiga NONE Go On Girl! Book Club, Unpublished Writer Award 2013 Winner Diana Veiga, winner of the 2013 Go On Girl! Book Club's Unpublished Writer award, is a dedicated writer and social justice ...
Ursula M. Burns
Ursula M. Burns 0000000445332455 Ursula M. Burns is a pioneering American businesswoman, the first black woman to become a Fortune 500 CEO at Xerox, where she served from 2009-2016. She was also Chai...
Cheryl Wills
Cheryl Wills NONE Cheryl Wills is an acclaimed anchor for New York 1 News, author, and public speaker. Known for her coverage of significant events like 9/11, she's also authored “Die Free: A Heroic ...
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...
Nate Powell
Nate Powell 0000000078269174 Nate Powell, born in 1978, is a New York Times best-selling graphic novelist known for “March,” the autobiography of John Lewis. A self-publisher from age 14, Powell's aw...
Kam Williams
Kam Williams NONE Lloyd “Kam” Williams was a renowned film and book critic, contributing to AALBC.com and numerous other publications. A member of several critics associations, he was known for his a...
Allen Bernard West
Allen Bernard West NONE Allen Bernard West is a decorated military veteran, former US Congressman, and notable contributor to media and policy organizations. His military legacy spans four generation...
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...
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...
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club 0000000509856750 The African American Literature Book Club transforms notable forum discussions into articles for increased visibility. The first conversion, “On...
D-Knowledge
D-Knowledge NONE Writer/Performer Dr. Derrick Gilbert, PhD, a/k/a poet D-Knowledge, lost his battle with liver disease on Sunday morning, November 1, 2015. He was 45. Straddling the worlds of enter...
Latina McIntyre
Latina McIntyre NONE Latina Sharmain McIntyre, born in North Carolina and raised in New York, is a dedicated wife, mother, Air Force Veteran, and educator. She founded the non-profit “Super Smart Gir...
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...
Krystle Parker
Krystle Parker NONE Krystle Parker, an Adult Gerontologist Nurse with 15 years of experience, is the owner of Absolute Care Services and ILashpark. She is also a community benefactor, hosting annual ...
Khalid Raheem
Khalid Raheem NONE Khalid Raheem is a community activist and author based in Pittsburgh. He has profound commitment to social justice and human development. His activism began in early 1970 when he j...
Donna L. Washington
Donna L. Washington 0000000067719053 Donna L. Washington is a professional storyteller, multiple-award-winning recording artist, and children’s book author (Boo Stew). She performs at festivals, sch...
Melica Niccole
Melica Niccole NONE Melica Niccole, a Columbus-native author, poet, and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, has a passion for writing which she uses to explore various subjects. She created an annua...
Julia D. Shaw
Julia D. Shaw NONE Julia D. Shaw is a seasoned marketing expert with over 20 years experience in PR, events, and business development. As a PR consultant for The Network for Women in Business and fou...
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 ...
Manning Johnson
Manning Johnson NONE Manning Rudolph Johnson (December 17, 1908 – July 2, 1959) was an African-American leader in the Communist Party USA who later became an anti-communist government witness ...
Nick Chiles
Nick Chiles 0000000034375194 Nick Chiles is a renowned author and journalist, specializing in African-American culture and celebrity. Co-author of the NAACP Image Awards finalist book 'Justice While ...
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 ...
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey 0000000114891842 Oprah Winfrey, a multi-billionaire and influential media owner, is best known for her highest-rated TV show, The Oprah Winfrey Show. She also runs the renowned Oprah Bo...
Carol Mackey
Carol Mackey NONE Carol M. Mackey, former editor-in-chief of award-winning Black Expressions Book Club, is recognized as one of the 50 most powerful African Americans in publishing. With a career inc...
Rafael López
Rafael López 0000000430746276 Rafael López is a renowned illustrator of NYT bestsellers and award-winning books. He's won Pura Belpré medals and other prestigious awards, including the Tomás River...
Jacquelin Thomas
Jacquelin Thomas NONE Award-winning author Jacquelin Thomas has published over 50 titles across romance, women’s fiction, inspirational, and young adult genres. She's received multiple awards includi...
Zadie Smith
Zadie Smith 000000012276857X Zadie Smith, born Sadie Smith in 1975, is a renowned British author of Jamaican-English heritage. Her debut novel, “White Teeth,” won numerous awards, and subsequent nove...
Faith Ringgold
Faith Ringgold 0000000078615604 Faith Ringgold was a multi-disciplinary artist and professor emeritus at the University of California, San Diego. Known for her work in painting, writing, and sculptur...
Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Dolen Perkins-Valdez 0000000074479879 Dolen Perkins-Valdez, a Memphis-born novelist, is renowned for her New York Times bestselling novel 'Wench.' A Harvard graduate and former University of Californ...
James W. Lewis
James W. Lewis NONE James W. Lewis, an award-winning novelist and freelance writer, is a managing partner at The Pantheon Collective publishing company. Known for his debut novel 'Sellout', he has re...
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...
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...
Shaundale Rénā
Shaundale Rénā NONE Shaundale Rénā is an award-winning literary professional with over a decade of editing experience. She has six international awards and has worked in various genres. Known for enh...
Vanessa L. Williams
Vanessa L. Williams 000000011462842X Vanessa Lynn Williams, born March 18, 1963, is a multi-talented actor, singer, fashion designer and author. She made history as the first African-American Miss Am...
Arisa White
Arisa White NONE Arisa White, an acclaimed poet and assistant professor at Colby College, is known for her work that centers queer and trans narratives. She is a Cave Canem graduate, a multiple award...
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...
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...
Vince Bailey
Vince Bailey NONE Vince Bailey is an award-winning author and construction estimator from Central Arizona. His childhood experiences heavily influence his nostalgic fiction writing, particularly his ...
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...
Bill Withers
Bill Withers 000000006309931X Bill Withers was a singer-songwriter and musician. He received numerous awards in his lifetime and won three GRAMMY Awards. William Harrison Withers Jr. (July 4, 1938 &...
Tracy K. Smith and John Freeman
Tracy K. Smith and John Freeman MULTIPLE Tracy K. Smith is a Pulitzer-winning poet, author of four books, including 'Life on Mars', and editor of 'American Journal'. She served as the US Poet Laureat...
Persia Walker
Persia Walker NONE Persia Walker is an acclaimed author of historical novels and a contributor to an anthology by the Mystery Writers of America. She's a recipient of the Author of the Year Award by ...
Eddie S. Glaude Jr.
Eddie S. Glaude Jr. NONE Join a Conversation with Go On Girl! Book Club and Eddie S. Glaude Jr., Saturday, February 20, 2021. Eddie S. Glaude Jr. is a renowned professor at Princeton University, speci...
Jacqueline Woodson
Jacqueline Woodson 0000000083968439 Jacqueline Woodson, born in 1963, is a renowned author who has received multiple awards, including the National Book Award. She writes primarily for young adults a...
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...
Jacqueline Johnson
Jacqueline Johnson NONE Jacqueline Johnson is a multi-disciplined artist and award-winning author known for her work in writing and fiber arts. She has taught poetry at multiple institutions and has ...
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,...
Leila Mottley
Leila Mottley 0000000508946148 Leila Mottley, an Oakland native, is a celebrated author known for her debut novel, Nightcrawling, an Oprah Book Club pick. She explores themes of inequity and liberati...
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...
J.D. Mason
J.D. Mason NONE J.D. Mason is a distinguished author with over a decade of professional writing. She self-published her debut novel twice before signing with a NYC publisher. Her work, featuring a po...
Sharon Bell Mathis
Sharon Bell Mathis 0000000063330251 Sharon Bell Mathis, initially a teacher, became an acclaimed author known for her middle-grade novels and picture books. Her works such as 'Sidewalk Story', 'Tea C...
Joanne C. Hillhouse
Joanne C. Hillhouse 0000000043655956 Joanne C. Hillhouse’s writing has been described as “honest”, “real”, “poetic”, and “lyrical”. Her Antiguan culture is at the heart of her writing: “Obvious is t...
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...
Kevin Mitchell
Kevin Mitchell 0000000352296686 Kevin M. Mitchell is a versatile writer, musician, and producer. A University of Missouri—Kansas City Conservatory of Music graduate, he has published over a dozen b...
Rachel Renée Russell
Rachel Renée Russell 0000000116442848 “Black writers should not be typecast into having only black characters.”—Shonda Rhimes Rachel Renee Russell, attorney and bestselling author of...
Jesse Byrd
Jesse Byrd NONE Jesse Byrd, Jr., an award-winning author and former Google project worker, used his basketball skills to fund his education at UC Santa Barbara. Known for his debut novel, King Pengui...
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,...
Lola Shoneyin
Lola Shoneyin 0000000041835603 Lola Shoneyin is a renowned Nigerian poet and author, best known for her debut novel, “The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives.” Identified as a promising African writer ...
Tai Allen
Tai Allen NONE Tai Allen, a renowned Brooklyn-based creative director, poet, and musician, has excelled in multiple disciplines. His poetry and music have gained recognition from notable publications...
Loretta Collins Klobah
Loretta Collins Klobah NONE Loretta Collins Klobah is a Caribbean Literature and creative writing professor at the University of Puerto Rico. She's lived in various Caribbean-related locations and ho...
Jabari Osaze, Author, Historian, and Lecturer
Jabari Osaze, Author, Historian, and Lecturer MULTIPLE Jabari Osaze is an expert in Ancient African history, with over 25 years of focus on Ancient Kemetic spirituality. He conducts annual study tour...
Colette Bancroft
Colette Bancroft NONE Colette Bancroft is the book editor for the Tampa Bay Times since 2007, directs the annual Festival of Reading, and served on the National Book Critics Circle board. She holds E...
Gail Ramsey
Gail Ramsey NONE Gail Ramsey, a graduate from Temple and American Universities, is a renowned author specializing in justice and communication. She won the Art Sanctuary's 18th Annual Celebration of ...
Monique Greenwood
Monique Greenwood NONE Monique Greenwood is a multifaceted entrepreneur managing Akwaaba, writing successful books, co-founding Go on Girl! Book Club, starring in Checked Inn on OWN, and a former Edi...
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...
Naleighna Kai
Naleighna Kai NONE Naleighna Kai is a national bestselling author known for her works such as “Every Woman Needs a Wife” and “Open Door Marriage.” She began writing in 1999 and has acquired deals wit...
Veronica Chambers
Veronica Chambers 0000000063184848 Veronica Chambers is a celebrated author known for her memoir, Mam's Girl. Born in Panama and raised in Brooklyn, her Afro-Latina heritage often influences her work...
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...
Renee Prewitt Killingsworth
Renee Prewitt Killingsworth NONE Renee Prewitt Killingsworth, a Chicago native with over 15 years in public relations, began her career as a radio talk show host. She's active in southeast Michigan c...
Angela Johnson
Angela Johnson 0000000114404557 Angela Johnson, an acclaimed American author, has penned over 40 children's books and poems since 1989. Her numerous awards include the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Awar...
Irene Luxbacher
Irene Luxbacher 0000000078506870 Irene Luxbacher is a renowned Canadian artist, author, and children's book illustrator. With degrees in Art History and Fine Art, she has gained acclaim through her a...
Aimee Nezhukumatathil
Aimee Nezhukumatathil 000000005262000X Aimee Nezhukumatathil is a NY Times best-selling author known for her non-fiction work, 'WORLD OF WONDERS', and four poetry books. She's a poetry editor at SIER...
Ron Kavanaugh
Ron Kavanaugh NONE Ron Kavanaugh is a literary activist who founded Mosaic Books and the Literary Freedom Project (LFP), a non-profit supporting the literary arts. Through LFP, he launched Mosaic Lit...
Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah 0000000476477577 Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, hailing from Spring Valley, NY, is a SUNY Albany graduate with an MFA from Syracuse University. His work, celebrated in numerous pu...
Sumiko Saulson
Sumiko Saulson NONE Sumiko Saulson is a Californian author known for her work in sci-fi, horror, and fantasy genres. She's also the editor of 'Black Magic Women' and creates an annual list highlighti...
Jay Wright
Jay Wright 000000007830315X “A Poet’s Poet” Jay Wright, born in 1934, is a prolific author of 15 books of poetry, 40+ plays, and essays. A fellow of the American Academy of Arts and ...
Pamela Mariva Mshana
Pamela Mariva Mshana NONE Pamela Mariva Mshana, PhD, is an acclaimed playwright, author, and educator. Known for her play, Ebony, and her work at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy, she has receive...
Mildred D. Taylor
Mildred D. Taylor 0000000382722105 Mildred DeLois Taylor, born September 13, 1943, is a renowned author known for her award-winning novels like 'The Road to Memphis' and 'Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry...
Cris Freese
Cris Freese NONE Cris Freese is a technical editor, writer, and literary intern for Corvisiero Literary Agency. He was previously the managing editor of Writer’s Digest Books, where he worked with no...
Rhonda M. Lawson
Rhonda M. Lawson NONE Rhonda M. Lawson, an award-winning author and Army journalist, serves as a master sergeant and station manager in Belgium. An acclaimed veteran, she began her journalism career ...
Michelle Lindo-Rice
Michelle Lindo-Rice NONE Michelle Lindo-Rice, bestselling author of the 'Able to Love' and 'On the Right Path' series, focuses on themes of faith, friendship, family, and forgiveness. She was nominat...
Al Young
Al Young 0000000063058737 Al Young, born in 1939, is a respected author and poet from Mississippi. He attended the University of Michigan before moving to the San Francisco Bay Area and graduating fr...
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...
Osonye Tess Onwueme
Osonye Tess Onwueme 0000000114408785 Dr. Osonye Tess Onwueme, a University Professor of Global Letters at the University of Wisconsin, is a renowned author with several prestigious awards including t...
Jen Bryant
Jen Bryant 0000000067561735 Jen Bryant is an award-winning author of picture books, novels, and poems for all ages. Her accolades include two Caldecott Honors, two ALA Schneider Family Book Awards, a...
Danzy Senna
Danzy Senna 0000000121437007 “Is Danzy Senna Black?” Danzy Senna, a celebrated novelist and essayist, focuses on identity, motherhood, race, and gender in her work. A Stanford BA and UC Ir...
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 ...
Armond White
Armond White 0000000031792179 Armond Allen White, born in 1953, is a renowned film and music critic. He served as the arts editor for The City Sun and later wrote for New York Press. He was the edito...
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg 0000000368562870 Whoopi Goldberg, born Caryn Elaine Johnson on November 13, 1955, is a celebrated comedian, actress, author, and TV host. Known for her role in 'The Color Purple,' she...
Mona Ombogo
Mona Ombogo 0000000062004139 Kenyan author and scriptwriter, Mona Ombogo, is known for her award-winning films and novels. With a global education and exposure to diverse cultures, her work addresses...
Edward Roy
Edward Roy 0000000108894174 Edward Roy, born in 1945, grew up in Harlem, NY, mentored by influential figures including Malcolm X. He served in the US Army’s Medical Corps during the Cold War and Viet...
Shelly Oria
Shelly Oria 0000000444542979 Shelly Oria is an acclaimed author known for “New York 1, Tel Aviv 0” and the digital novella, “CLEAN.” Her work has received nominations for numerous awards, including a...
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...
Jimmie Allen
Jimmie Allen 0000000465260495 Jimmie Allen is a multi-platinum American recording artist and the first Black artist to achieve two consecutive #1 hits on country radio and win the ACM New Male Artist...
John Murillo
John Murillo NONE John Murillo is a renowned poet and professor known for his works “Up Jump the Boogie” and “Kontemporary Amerikan Poetry.” He's won numerous awards including two Larry Neal Writers ...
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...
Trevor Noah
Trevor Noah 0000000430715306 Trevor Noah, a successful African comedian and host of the award-winning 'The Daily Show', joined the show in 2014. He has multiple comedy specials, including his 9th, 'A...
Kisha Green
Kisha Green NONE Kisha Green is a multi-talented literary consultant and promoter dedicated to turning authors' dreams into published realities. Since 2006, she's written novels, hosted award-winning...
Reynold Ruffins
Reynold Ruffins 0000000024800273 Reynold Ruffins, a renowned illustrator and professor, has received prestigious awards from The Cooper Union and had a successful career teaching at various instituti...