AALBC Search
Sylvia L. Walker
Sylvia L. Walker NONE Sylvia L. Walker, a Pasadena-born artist, is renowned for her children's fashion illustrations and book illustrations. She has worked with major clients like Simplicity, McCalls...
Juana Martinez-Neal
Juana Martinez-Neal 0000000115462636 Juana Martinez-Neal, award-winning author-illustrator, received the 2019 Caldecott Honor and 2020 Robert F. Sibert Medal. She was also awarded the 2018 Pura Belpr...
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...
Arthur Ashe
Arthur Ashe 0000000087759773 Arthur Ashe, born in 1943, was the first and only African-American male tennis player to win the U.S. Open, Wimbledon, and the Australian Open, with three Grand Slam titl...
Earl Lovelace
Earl Lovelace 0000000109246689 Earl Lovelace, a Trinidadian author, is known for his award-winning works such as While Gods Are Falling, The Dragon Can't Dance, Salt, and Is Just a Movie. He was awar...
aja monet
aja monet 0000000370068724 aja monet is a surrealist blues poet, storyteller, and organizer born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. She won the legendary Nuyorican Poets Cafe Grand Slam poetry award title i...
James Berry
James Berry 0000000081429589 James Berry was a renowned Jamaican poet based in the UK. He won the Coretta Scott King Book Award and the Smarties Grand Prix, and received an OBE for his contributions ...
Linda A. Duggins
Linda A. Duggins NONE Linda A. Duggins is the Director of Multicultural Publicity at Hachette Book Group and Co-founder of the Harlem Book Fair. She's a board member of several literacy organizations...
Michele Andrea Bowen
Michele Andrea Bowen NONE Michele Andrea Bowen, a St. Louis native and Durham, NC resident, is a prolific author with degrees in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling Education, US History, and Public ...
Serena Williams
Serena Williams 0000000114598590 Serena Williams, renowned for her tennis prowess and 23 Grand Slams, is also a successful businesswoman and philanthropist. She founded Serena Ventures, supporting co...
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...
Venus Williams
Venus Williams 0000000114587007 Venus Ebony Starr Williams (born June 17, 1980) became a professional tennis player at the remarkable age of fourteen, immediately making waves in the sport by defeat...
Kurt Boone
Kurt Boone NONE Kurt Boone is a prolific poet with over 350 works and 7 books to his name, including the acclaimed 'Looking For Myself'. Recognized by major media outlets, he has also worked as a mar...
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 ...
Shirley Perry-Church
Shirley Perry-Church NONE Shirley Perry-Church, an educator, author, and artist, has written her debut book, The Hunt for the Magic Pearl, to inspire struggling young readers. With degrees in Psychol...
Mary B. Morrison
Mary B. Morrison NONE Mary B. Morrison, a New York Times best-selling author, writes empowering novels addressing social and sexual issues. Known also as HoneyB, she self-published her debut novel in...
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...
Bernette Ford
Bernette Ford 0000000038486553 Bernette Ford, founder of COLOR-BRIDGE BOOKS, was a renowned children's book packager and consultant, and an advocate for diversity in children's literature. She held s...
Lynda Jones Mubarak
Lynda Jones Mubarak NONE Dr. Lynda Jones Mubarak, a native Texan and passionate educator, has dedicated her life to teaching and writing. Known for her works that promote personal growth, she's also ...
Randal Maurice Jelks
Randal Maurice Jelks 0000000035838680 Dr. Randal Maurice Jelks is a Professor at the University of Kansas, specializing in American and African American Studies. He has authored two award-winning boo...
Markia Jenai
Markia Jenai NONE Markia Jenai, a Michigan-born illustrator and graduate of Kendall College of Art and Design, is known for her diverse and culturally inspired children's books. She's currently pursu...
Kwesi Oginga
Kwesi Oginga NONE Kwesi Oginga, born in Guyana, is a renowned dramatist, author, and pastor. He wrote plays for Guyana's top festivals, directed plays for the president's birthday, and has penned sev...
Rashida Aisha Ali
Rashida Aisha Ali NONE Rashida Aisha Ali, an author, artist, and educator, specializes in female-centric topics including health, wellness, and spirituality. With degrees in Divinity and Metaphysics,...
Grant Harper Reid
Grant Harper Reid NONE Dr. Grant Harper Reid, author of award-winning biography, “Rhythm For Sale,” explores the life of his grandfather, influential theatre producer Leonard Harper. An arts graduate...
Lalanii Wilson-Jones and Treavion Davenport
Lalanii Wilson-Jones and Treavion Davenport MULTIPLE Lalanii Wilson-Jones is a Dallas-based entrepreneur involved in Home Health Care, Hospice, Child Care, and event planning, as well as mentoring em...
Véronique Tadjo
Véronique Tadjo 0000000081825936 Véronique Tadjo, an Ivorian poet, novelist, academic, and artist, holds a doctorate in Black American Literature and Civilization. She served as the head of the Fren...
Eddie Faye Gates
Eddie Faye Gates NONE Eddie Faye Gates, a former history teacher and education consultant, served on the Oklahoma Commission to Study the Tulsa Race Riot. A graduate from the University of North Dako...
Shanida Carter
Shanida Carter NONE Shanida Carter enjoys writing about culture, parenting, and travel. She is the director of marketing and communications at a Big 10 law school and teaches media writing. Previous...
Cheryl Willis Hudson and Wade Hudson
Cheryl Willis Hudson and Wade Hudson MULTIPLE Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson, parents based in Northern NJ, founded Just Us Books in 1988 to address a lack of quality Black-interest children's ...
Fiston Mwanza Mujila
Fiston Mwanza Mujila 0000000107622783 Fiston Mwanza Mujila, born in Congo in 1981, is a critically acclaimed author and scholar currently residing in Austria. His literature, inspired by Congo's poli...
Emily Raboteau
Emily Raboteau 0000000036573661 Emily Raboteau, author of 'The Professor’s Daughter' and 'Searching for Zion,' is an award-winning writer renowned for her fiction and essays. She has received numerou...
Larry Eugene Rivers
Larry Eugene Rivers NONE Dr. Larry E. Rivers is a distinguished educator with degrees from Fort Valley State College, Villanova University, Carnegie-Mellon University, and the University of London. H...
Brandon Williams
Brandon Williams NONE Brandon Williams, author of “Self-Value: The Story of Me,” shares his inspiring journey from childhood homelessness and delinquency to success. Raised in a low-income community,...
Walter Mosley
Walter Mosley 0000000114370035 Walter Mosley, born in 1952, is a renowned author known for his detective series, including the Easy Rawlins series. Inspired by his parents and authors like Alice Walk...
James Stewart
James Stewart 0000000121039797 Dr. James Stewart, a native of Cleveland & Professor Emeritus at Penn State University, is the President of ASALH’s Manasota Chapter. He held leadership roles in major ...
Patrice Nganang
Patrice Nganang 0000000121195183 Cameroonian author Patrice Nganang is renowned for his novels, poetry, and essays. His work includes award-winning novel 'Temps de chien', 'La Joie de vivre', and 'L’...
Sara Collins
Sara Collins 0000000367918185 Sara Collins, a Jamaican-descent author, practiced law for 17 years before studying Creative Writing at Cambridge, where she won the 2015 Michael Holroyd Prize. Her debu...
Brittany Jackson
Brittany Jackson NONE Brittany “Bea” Jackson, an award-winning illustrator and alumni of the College for Creative Studies, is renowned for her work in children's book illustration, specifically “Hair...
Ana Ramírez González
Ana Ramírez González NONE Ana RamÃrez González is a visual development artist known for her work on Pixar's Oscar-winning film Coco and its companion picture book. She also illustrated 'Maybe Tomor...
Brian Broome
Brian Broome NONE Brian Broome is a poet, screenwriter, and University of Pittsburgh instructor pursuing an MFA. He's been a Moth storytelling finalist, won Carnegie Mellon's Martin Luther King Jr. W...
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...
Tamara Shiloh
Tamara Shiloh NONE Tamara Shiloh, a Northern California native, owns the Multicultural Bookstore and Gifts in Richmond. She is a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother residing in Point Richmond,...
Othuke Ominiabohs
Othuke Ominiabohs NONE Othuke Ominiabohs is a writer, poet and dramatist. A graduate of Computer Science from the University of Benin, Nigeria, he writes, dredging from experiences and influences fro...
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...
Wade Hudson
Wade Hudson 0000000067647969 Why I Publish Children’s Books Wade Hudson, born in 1946, is an author, journalist, and civil rights activist. Known for his children's books promoting positive Afri...
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...
Torrey Maldonado
Torrey Maldonado NONE Torrey Maldonado, once a disinterested reader, became a passionate middle school teacher and author after discovering engaging, culturally responsive books. For 20 years, he's i...
Kekla Magoon
Kekla Magoon 0000000040185776 Kekla Magoon, an award-winning author of eight YA novels, including The Rock and the River and X: A Novel, also pens non-fiction on historical topics. She's won an NAACP...
Tracy Sherrod
Tracy Sherrod NONE Tracy Sherrod, editorial director of HarperCollins' Amistad, has worked with award-winning authors and published numerous bestsellers. She has held editorial positions at Simon and...
Suyi Davies Okungbowa
Suyi Davies Okungbowa 0000000509720941 Suyi Davies Okungbowa (born Osasuyi Okungbowa in 1989) is an award-winning author of various novels for adults, the latest of which are Lost Ark Dreaming (Igny...
Tony Rose
Tony Rose 000000005879297X AALBC Mourns the Passing of Tony Rose Tony Rose (October 11, 1950 – May 27, 2025) was the Publisher and CEO of Amber Communications Group, Inc. the nation’s large...
Margaree K. Mitchell
Margaree K. Mitchell NONE Margaree K. Mitchell is an award-winning author of children's, teen, and adult books. Known for titles like Uncle Jed’s Barbershop and Granddaddy’s Gift, she uses history to...
Marcus Dewan Williams
Marcus Dewan Williams NONE Marcus Dewan Williams, more than just the owner of Nubian Books bookstore, is an active advocate for African and African-American culture and education. As a publisher and ...
Richard Wright
Richard Wright 0000000079803105 Richard Nathaniel Wright (1908-1960), born in poverty and racial discrimination in Mississippi, was a prolific writer aiming to unite Black and White worlds. Known ini...
ReShonda Tate
ReShonda Tate 0000000116441757 ReShonda Tate is a former reporter and national bestselling author of 21 titles including both adult and teen novels. She's also an executive producer for film adaptati...
Teri Woods
Teri Woods 0000000043564923 Teri Woods, a Philadelphia native and former legal secretary, turned author with her first novel, “True to the Game.” After initial rejections, she self-published and sold...
Cheryl Willis Hudson
Cheryl Willis Hudson 0000000037209335 Cheryl Willis Hudson, editorial director of Just Us Books, focuses on publishing Black interest books for children. Co-founder of the company in 1988, she's a re...
Jason Reynolds
Jason Reynolds 0000000050509463 Jason Reynolds is a 2024 MacArthur Foundation’s “Genius” Grant Winner Jason Reynolds, an acclaimed author and professor, aims to engage readers, espec...
Denene Millner
Denene Millner 0000000120359035 Why I Wrote the Novel One Blood Denene Millner is a New York Times bestselling author, Emmy-nominated TV host, and award-winning journalist. She has authored over 30 bo...
Charlotte Watson Sherman
Charlotte Watson Sherman 0000000067613072 Charlotte Watson Sherman, a Seattle-born author, is known for her novels, children's books, and short fiction collection. Formerly a librarian, her works inc...
Claudia Alexander
Claudia Alexander NONE Claudia Alexander, Ph.D., was a respected NASA scientist, studying planets and flying spacecraft. She contributed to missions to Jupiter, Saturn, and comets. An author, she wro...
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...
Autumn Allen
Autumn Allen NONE Autumn Allen is a literature educator, senior editor at Barefoot Books, and author known for her contributions to children's literature. She teaches at Harvard Graduate School of Ed...
Maryam Khalifah
Maryam Khalifah NONE Maryam is a digital illustrator, specializing in children’s picture books and cover art for chapter books. Maryam has completed picture book illustrations for several clien...
Albert “Prodigy” Johnson
Albert “Prodigy” Johnson NONE Albert “Prodigy” Johnson was a globally recognized rapper, part of the duo Mobb Deep. Known for his reality-based music, he sold millions of albums worldwide. Prodigy al...
Carl Weber
Carl Weber 0000000111497479 Carl Weber, born in 1964, is a New York Times bestselling author and renowned African American author with over 20 novels. He's also the CEO of Urban Books LLC, one of the...
Stanley G. Robertson
Stanley G. Robertson NONE Stanley G. Robertson is a professor of business and law at DeVry University in Chicago. He is the host and producer of the television show titled, The Ink Spot, on CA...
We Need Diverse Books
We Need Diverse Books NONE We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) began in April 2014 as the viral #WeNeedDiverseBooks hashtag, bringing together writers, illustrators, publishers, educators, and readers seek...
Ty Allan Jackson
Ty Allan Jackson NONE Ty Allan Jackson is a celebrated author and publisher, renowned for his children's book 'Danny Dollar Millionaire: The Lemonade Escapade.' Inspired by his son's curiosity about ...
Margo Sorenson
Margo Sorenson NONE Margo Sorenson, born in Washington DC, spent her early years in Europe before graduating from UCLA. After teaching and raising two daughters, she became a full-time author of over...
Roderick D. Talley
Roderick D. Talley NONE Roderick D. Talley created this company as a hub for positive-oriented books and artwork, while fostering a welcoming environment for all people. A firm believer in “practici...
Angela S. Medearis
Angela S. Medearis NONE Angela Shelf Medearis combines a general love for children‘s literature with a particular attention to the reading needs of young African Americans. “I write the kinds ...
Azarel
Azarel NONE Tressa “Azarel” Smallwood, former teacher and now CEO of Life Changing Books, is a successful author and publisher. With over 31 titles including the popular 'Teenage Bluez' series, her w...
Daniel Minter
Daniel Minter 0000000030276690 Daniel Minter is an acclaimed painter and illustrator, known for his work in children's books and exhibitions worldwide. He is the illustrator of 11 books and a Coretta...
Paige Turner
Paige Turner NONE Paige Turner, a lifelong book lover, has over 15 years of marketing experience in Fortune 75 companies. Passionate about sharing ideas from books, she's been writing a weekly book r...
Shannon Simpson
Shannon Simpson NONE Shannon Simpson, Founder of Reading Has Purpose, is a passionate reader who appreciates physical books. She believes in gaining knowledge through reading. Contact her at Shannon@...
Brian Pinkney
Brian Pinkney 0000000063549392 As a child, Brian Pinkney loved drawing pictures on every piece of paper he could find. He also loved watching his father, Jerry Pinkney, illustrate books for children...
Adrian Matejka
Adrian Matejka 0000000037525872 Adrian Matejka is a Germany-born, Indiana-based author and educator. A graduate of Indiana University and Southern Illinois University Carbondale, he has penned award-...
Dinah Johnson
Dinah Johnson NONE Dinah Johnson is a renowned author in children's literature, particularly in African American storytelling. Her books, which include titles like Hair Dance! and Sitting Pretty, cel...
Kimberla Lawson Roby
Kimberla Lawson Roby 0000000063897135 Kimberla’s Thoughts on Concluding Her Reverend Curtis Black Series, After 15 Books Kimberla Lawson Roby is a New York Times Bestselling Author of 24 novels,...
Howard Thurman
Howard Thurman 0000000083893625 “The Godfather of the Civil Rights Movement” Howard Thurman was a significant African American author, theologian, civil rights leader, and Dean of Chapel a...
RAWSISTAZ
RAWSISTAZ NONE The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers were a group of 13 women, including founder Tee C. Royal, who promoted books by and about African Americans. These avid readers, reviewers and members of the Re...
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...
Fred Beauford
Fred Beauford NONE Fred Beauford is a prolific novelist, essayist, and editor, known for his eight novels, memoir, essay collections, and contributions to notable literary series. He's also the found...
Rachel Moss
Rachel Moss 0000000053187316 Rachel Moss, a Jamaican-born graphic designer, studied animation in England. She's now based in Jamaica, illustrating vibrant, colorful children's books including 'Celebr...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
Karen Lynn Williams
Karen Lynn Williams 0000000063701972 Karen Lynn Williams, born in 1952, is a renowned author of over a dozen children's books, including the acclaimed 'GALIMOTO'. She's also a former Peace Corps volu...
Kadir Nelson
Kadir Nelson 0000000038009108 Kadir Nelson is a renowned American artist and illustrator with a Bachelor's degree from Pratt Institute. Known for his work with major clients like Sports Illustrated, ...
Linda Villarosa
Linda Villarosa NONE Linda Villarosa, a University of Colorado graduate and Harvard journalism fellow, is the journalism program director at City College of New York and a former editor at the New Yo...
Timbaland and Veronica Chambers
Timbaland and Veronica Chambers MULTIPLE Timothy Z. Mosley, known as Timbaland, is a renowned music producer, part of hip-hop duo Timbaland & Magoo, and CEO of Mosley Music Group. Veronica Chambers, ...
Lynn Nottage
Lynn Nottage 0000000080050112 Congrats to Lynn Nottage: Winner 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama Lynn Nottage, a distinguished playwright and lecturer, is celebrated for her outstanding plays and awarded ...
Crystal Hubbard
Crystal Hubbard NONE Crystal Hubbard is a versatile author, known for her picture books, contemporary and historical romance novels, and short stories. Her debut title is part of the Who HQ series. C...
Kelly J. Baptist
Kelly J. Baptist NONE Kelly J. Baptist's work resonates deeply with readers because she crafts authentic, relatable characters who navigate difficult circumstances with heart and hope. Her storytelli...
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...
Quraysh Ali Lansana
Quraysh Ali Lansana NONE Quraysh Ali Lansana is a prolific author, educator, and radio producer based in Tulsa. He has written 23 books spanning poetry, nonfiction, and children's literature. Lansana...
Roberto Carlos Garcia
Roberto Carlos Garcia NONE Roberto Carlos Garcia is associate professor of English at Union College of Union County NJ. He writes poetry and prose about the Afro-Latinx and Afro-Diasporic experience...
Sharon M. Draper
Sharon M. Draper 0000000374578086 Sharon M. Draper, acclaimed author of the Sassy series and numerous teen novels, is a New York Times bestseller and multiple Coretta Scott King Award winner. A forme...