AALBC Search
Vertamae Smart-Grosvenor
Vertamae Smart-Grosvenor 0000000067552695 Vertamae Smart-Grosvenor was a multi-talented figure known for her work as a culinary anthropologist, food writer, actress, singer, dancer, and costume desig...
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...
Bessie Head and Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o
Bessie Head and Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o MULTIPLE "Bessie Head and NgÅ©gÄ© wa Thiong'o are renowned African authors. Head, from Botswana, explores themes of racial tension and identity, while Thiong'o, a Ke...
Bessie Head
Bessie Head 0000000108556853 Bessie Head (1937-1986), born in South Africa but renowned as one of Botswana's most influential writers, produced novels, short fiction, and autobiographical works. Her ...
Shannon Holmes
Shannon Holmes NONE Shannon Holmes, a Bronx native, turned his life around while serving a prison sentence by penning his first novel. Achieving success with his debut, “B-more Careful,” he secured a...
Deborrah Cooper
Deborrah Cooper NONE Deborrah Cooper, pen name “Ms. HeartBeat”, is an established authority on dating and relationships since 1993. She founded AskHeartBeat!, a pioneer website focused on Black and i...
Cheryl A. Head
Cheryl A. Head NONE Cheryl A. Head (she/her) is the author of the award-winning Charlie Mack Motown mysteries. Head is an Anthony Award nominee, a two-time Lambda Literary Award finalist, a three-ti...
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...
Steven Savile
Steven Savile 0000000109018192 Steven Savile is an acclaimed British author, known for writing popular game and comic series including Doctor Who, Torchwood, Stargate, and Battlefield 3. He's also co...
Issa Rae
Issa Rae 0000000493620849 Issa Rae, born in 1985, is a talented humorist and YouTube sensation with more than 25 million views. Recognized on Forbes' “30 Under 30” list twice, she has created success...
Alissa Holder and Zulekha Holder-Young
Alissa Holder and Zulekha Holder-Young MULTIPLE Alissa Holder and Zulekha Holder-Young are authors and creatives known for their first book, “I Am Smart, I Am Blessed, I Can Do Anything.” Committed t...
Leslie Jones
Leslie Jones 0000000447812524 Leslie Jones, born in 1967, is an award-nominated actress known for her work on Saturday Night Live and HBO Max series Our Flag Means Death. She's been recognized as one...
Sylvester Boyd Jr.
Sylvester Boyd Jr. NONE Sylvester Boyd Jr., a Chicago native, is an accomplished author, background actor, and motivational speaker with a rich background in geography, history, and business. Known f...
Ash Cash
Ash Cash NONE Ash Exantus, also known as Ash Cash, is a renowned banking executive, personal finance expert, and author of six books, three of which are Amazon.com bestsellers. He serves as a head of...
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...
Kheris Rogers
Kheris Rogers NONE Kheris Rogers, the youngest designer at New York Fashion Week, is a multi-talented model, dancer, singer, and actress. Creator of the Flexin' In My Complexion brand, she uses her i...
Valerie Tripp
Valerie Tripp 0000000114945388 Valerie Tripp, co-creator of the American Girl series and author of WellieWishers and Hopscotch Hill School titles. She's also a writer and editorial director for the B...
Andrea Hairston
Andrea Hairston 000000004096098X Andrea Hairston, an Afrofuturist novelist and playwright, is also the L. Wolff Kahn 1931 Professor Emerita at Smith College. With award-winning novels like 'Redwood a...
Olujimi Ojikutu
Olujimi Ojikutu NONE Olujimi Ojikutu, a University of Lagos graduate, began his career in finance but followed his passion for art and storytelling. He's known for creating comics in his youth, writi...
Kim Coles
Kim Coles 0000000031521651 Kim Coles, best known for her role as “Synclaire” in FOX's 'Living Single', has starred in many TV programs including 'Frasier', 'Six Feet Under', and 'In Living Color'. Sh...
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 ...
Yonder
Yonder 000000009362885X "Yonder, author of the erotic and humorous 'What I do is Taboo' series, provides readers with a unique blend of fantasy and reality. Inspired by favorite authors, Yonder embar...
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...
Bevy Smith
Bevy Smith 0000000496656249 Beverly “Bevy” Smith, born in 1966, is a renowned TV personality, motivational speaker, and businesswoman. She hosts SiriusXM's “Bevelations” and is known for her work on ...
Carla Hall
Carla Hall NONE “Say Yes! Adventure follows, then growth” Carla Hall, co-host of ABC's “The Chew”, followed her passion from accounting to modeling, and eventually discovered her true call...
David Miller
David Miller 0000000081542995 David C. Miller, a Baltimore author and Ph.D. candidate, is renowned for his work, “Dare to Be King,” a 52-week curriculum teaching young African American males survival...
Gwen Ifill
Gwen Ifill 0000000052256367 Gwen Ifill was a renowned journalist and editor for Washington Week and The NewsHour. Prior to PBS, she was a correspondent for NBC News and reported for notable outlets l...
Tommie Thomas
Tommie Thomas NONE Tommie Lee Thomas, a determined individual of Cherokee Indian and African descent, overcame poverty and adversity to become a retired employee of Ford Motor Company, the City of De...
Jennifer K. Mann
Jennifer K. Mann NONE Jennifer K. Mann, a former architect turned full-time children's book author, resides on an island near Seattle with her family and pets. Known for her love of nature and campin...
Matthew Lynch
Matthew Lynch 0000000429289063 Matthew Lynch is a professional educator, grant reviewer, writer, and author with articles in Huffington Post, Education Week and academic journals. He is also known fo...
Meta Smith
Meta Smith NONE "MÑta Smith is a multi-talented individual from Chicago with experience in acting, dancing, DJing, and writing. Having served in various roles in music, film, and philanthropy, she h...
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...
J.E. Thomas
J.E. Thomas NONE J.E. Thomas (left) grew up near Colorado’s Front Range mountains. She spent her early summers stuffing grocery bags with books at the local library, reading feverishly, then repeati...
Lisa Watson
Lisa Watson NONE Lisa Watson is a national bestselling author based in Washington D.C., known for her work in diverse romance genres. Her debut novel was nominated for Best Contemporary Fiction, and ...
Rosalyn McMillan
Rosalyn McMillan NONE Rosalyn McMillan (1953-2017) was a prolific author from Michigan who penned six popular novels. She lived in Memphis, Tennessee with her husband and enjoyed knitting and fishing...
Doris Payne
Doris Payne 0000000109107224 Doris Payne, born in Slab Fork, West Virginia, is the youngest of six and daughter of a coal miner. She is renowned for her six-decade career as an international jewel th...
Kirbyjon H. Caldwell
Kirbyjon H. Caldwell NONE Kirbyjon H. Caldwell is a former bond broker and MBA holder from Wharton School of Business who turned to religion, growing a 25-member congregation into an 18,000 member me...
Casey Gerald
Casey Gerald NONE Casey Gerald is the author of There Will Be No Miracles Here, a memoir that was named a Best Book of 2018 by NPR and The New York Times, a finalist for the LAMBDA Literary Award, a...
Martha Kennerson
Martha Kennerson NONE Martha Kennerson, a bestselling and award-winning author, uses her passion for reading and writing to create heartfelt stories. Known for her novels Choices and Consequences and...
Rory Noland
Rory Noland 0000000055829589 Rory Noland is the director of Heart of the Artist Ministries, a worship leader at the Transforming Center, and the Head of Worship at Nebraska Christian College. He ment...
Dedrick Moone
Dedrick Moone NONE Dedrick L. Moone, COO of The Rules of a Big Boss LLC, is an author, philanthropist, and motivational speaker offering empowerment products and services. He authored 'The Unexpected...
Joshua Clark Davis
Joshua Clark Davis NONE Joshua Clark Davis is a history professor at the University of Baltimore, specializing in 20th-century American history, capitalism, and social movements. He's also a public a...
Guy Sims
Guy Sims NONE Guy A. Sims is an acclaimed author known for his early publications on Kwanzaa, his collection of American Tall Tales, and his novel, Living Just A Little. He's also the head writer for...
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...
Valerie Brown
Valerie Brown 0000000084824330 Valerie Brown is a Buddhist-Quaker Dharma teacher, executive coach, and co-director of Georgetown's Institute for Transformational Leadership. Formerly a lawyer and lob...
Dorothy Koomson
Dorothy Koomson 0000000122756528 Dorothy Koomson, a London-born novelist, started her writing journey at 13. After studying in Leeds and London, she began her career in women's magazines and national...
Keith Lee Johnson
Keith Lee Johnson NONE Keith Lee Johnson, an accomplished author of various genres, is best known for his Little Black Girl Lost series. His writing journey began at Owens Community College after a c...
Walter Milton, Jr. and Joel A. Freeman
Walter Milton, Jr. and Joel A. Freeman MULTIPLE Dr. Walter Milton, Jr., a native of Rochester, NY, holds a Doctorate in leadership and policy. He's a published author, former school superintendent, a...
Christine Taylor Butler
Christine Taylor Butler NONE Christine Taylor Butler is an accomplished children's author from Ohio. Overcoming initial fears, she pursued her passion for writing, inspired by her daughters' love for...
Julian English
Julian English NONE Born prematurely with brain damage, Julian English defied odds by learning differently. His mother, Natasha Moulton-Levy, used travel to educate him, enabling Julian to understand...
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...
Brene Brown
Brene Brown 0000000034192910 Brene Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston and visiting professor at UT Austin, studies courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. She's authored six...
Goldie Taylor
Goldie Taylor 0000000051784985 Goldie Taylor is an accomplished journalist and editor at the Daily Beast, known for her work on news networks, talk shows, and publications like Salon and Ebony. She w...
Ruby Bridges
Ruby Bridges 000000003120025X Ruby Bridges, born 1954, is a civil rights activist known for being the first black student to integrate an all-white school in New Orleans at age six. Her journey spark...
Tananarive Due
Tananarive Due 0000000114453527 “The Queen of Black Horror” Tananarive Due, American Book Award-winning author of nine books, holds a B.S. in Journalism and M.A. in English literature. A s...
Yani
Yani 0000000118166410 Yani, an Amazon Best Selling Author from Philadelphia, is renowned for her six novels and unique storytelling style. She's celebrated in genres like African American Fiction-Ur...
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...
Travis Hunter
Travis Hunter 000000001976938X Travis Hunter, author and mentor, gained recognition with his debut novel, The Hearts of Men. His published works include several successful novels and a young adult se...
C. Lynn Williams
C. Lynn Williams NONE C. Lynn Williams is a coach, author, and founder of Finding Superwoman, a curriculum for balancing professional and personal roles. She has written the Staying Sane book series ...
Phina Oruche
Phina Oruche NONE “Everything I am passionate about has storytelling in the center.” Phina Oruche, known for roles in BBC's Anthony and ITV's Footballers’ Wives, released a children's book...
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 ...
Tonya Duncan Ellis
Tonya Duncan Ellis NONE Tonya Duncan Ellis, acclaimed author of the Sophie Washington children's book series, combines her love for writing and travel in her books. Her award-winning series, aimed at...
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...
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Neil deGrasse Tyson 0000000081589734 Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, the first African American Head of the Hayden Planetarium, is a renowned astrophysicist, and author of ten books. He's a faculty member a...
Shirley Chisholm
Shirley Chisholm 0000000021812965 Shirley Anita Chisholm January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1981 was the first black woman elected to the U.S. Congress in 1969 and was re-elected six times until she...
Vanessa Miller
Vanessa Miller NONE Best-selling author and motivational speaker Vanessa Miller, known for her stage productions and Rain Series novels, writes redemption stories to glorify God. She's won Best Chris...
Brenda M. Hampton
Brenda M. Hampton NONE Brenda M. Hampton, a native St. Louisan, is a passionate writer known for her addictive series, The Naughty Series. With over 20 novels, novellas, and anthologies to her credit...
K. L. Brady
K. L. Brady NONE K. L. Brady, a D.C. native and successful author, began writing at a young age and published her first novel, The Bum Magnet, after an inspirational Oprah moment. Her writing include...
Norwood Holland
Norwood Holland NONE Norwood Holland, a freelance writer and attorney, is the author of the Drew Smith legal thriller series. A graduate of Howard University School of Law and Fisk University, Hollan...
Kevin M. Weeks
Kevin M. Weeks NONE Kevin M. Weeks is an acclaimed self-published Urban Fiction author known for his debut, The Street Life Series. Honored as the Best New Urban Author of 2007, his fresh approach te...
Darius Myers
Darius Myers NONE Darius Myers, a NYC-based fiction writer and former senior executive in media, is known for his thrilling Black Camelot series, praised for its intriguing plot and compelling charac...
Victoria Scott-Miller
Victoria Scott-Miller NONE Victoria Scott-Miller is an acclaimed entrepreneur, author, and owner of North Carolina's first black-owned children's bookstore. She's notable for creating 'The Museum Liv...
Cliff Goins IV
Cliff Goins IV NONE Cliff Goins IV is a seasoned investor, co-founder of Scaleup, and former executive at Northern Trust Asset Management. He's an MBA graduate from Northwestern University with a BS ...
Marcus Guillory
Marcus Guillory NONE Born in Louisiana, Marcus Guillory rose from humble beginnings to become a renowned screenwriter, author, musician, and producer. He initially pursued law before dedicating himse...
Zonie Felder
Zonie Felder NONE Zonie Felder, an erotic fiction writer from Jersey City, New Jersey, is a former Catholic school girl and Girl Scout who enjoys football, Zumba, dancing, and family time. Zonie Feld...
Ken Wilson-Max
Ken Wilson-Max 0000000027184461 ”I believe it is worth celebrating how people are more similar than different.“ Ken Wilson-Max, originally from Zimbabwe, is a UK-trained designer turned ch...
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...
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 ...
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 ...
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...
Tonya Bolden
Tonya Bolden 0000000116508683 Tonya Bolden, a Princeton and Columbia University graduate, is an award-winning author/editor of over 40 books, including children's nonfiction and historical novels. He...
Harriet Jacobs
Harriet Jacobs 0000000121310444 Harriet Ann Jacobs, an escaped slave turned abolitionist speaker and reformer, authored “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl,” one of the first books highlighting th...
Michael Gordon Bennett
Michael Gordon Bennett NONE Author, actor, and entrepreneur Michael Gordon Bennett, born in 1958, is known for his book “7-10 Split: My Journey As America’s Whitest Black Kid.” He's also the CEO of B...
Endy
Endy 0000000012374705 Endy was born in Newark, NJ. Like most inner city children she was fascinated by the noise of the busy streets in the "hood. Raised in a two parent home with her younger...
Michelle Sumrall
Michelle Sumrall NONE Michelle Sumrall was born in Columbus, Georgia, and now resides in Macon, Georgia, with her daughter, Aleisha. She attended the University of Georgia and Columbus State Univers...
Elizabeth Agyemang
Elizabeth Agyemang NONE Elizabeth Agyemang is the author of several books, including the graphic novels Fibbed, which was a Parents.com Best Children’s Book of 2022 selection, a Chicago Public Libra...
Michelle Rhnea Yisrael
Michelle Rhnea Yisrael NONE Michelle Rhnea Yisrael is an empowering educator with 30+ years of experience. With advanced degrees in English and Online Teaching, she's served as a district leader, dir...
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...
Sister Shiree Sarana
Sister Shiree Sarana NONE Sister Shiree Sarana is a renowned poetess, known for her powerful and enlightening poetry influenced by the teachings of Elijah Muhammad and Louis Farrakhan. She's been fea...
Troy Andrews
Troy Andrews 0000000114882786 Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, a Grammy-nominated artist from Tremé, New Orleans, became a band leader at six. Known for his prodigious trombone skills, he now headlin...
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...
Miss KP
Miss KP NONE Miss KP is an award-winning author from Washington DC, known for her six novels including 'The Dirty Divorce,' which won Urban Book and Title of the Year. She is also associated with the...
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...
Charlotte Riley-Webb
Charlotte Riley-Webb NONE Charlotte Riley-Webb is an acclaimed illustrator from Stockbridge, Georgia, known for her award-winning work in six children's books, including The Entrance Place of Wonders...
Tanita S. Davis
Tanita S. Davis NONE Tanita S. Davis, award-winning author of six novels for young readers, is known for “Serena Says,” “Peas and Carrots,” and the Coretta Scott King Honor book, “Mare’s War.” A chat...
Adam Bradley
Adam Bradley 0000000083830392 Adam Bradley, a professor of English at the University of Colorado Boulder, directs the Laboratory for Race and Popular Culture. He has authored six books and contribute...
Patricia Smith
Patricia Smith 0000000110775334 Patricia Smith, celebrated poet and professor, is known for her direct and adventuresome style. She’s authored six books, including award finalists 'Blood Dazzler' and...
Matt De La Peña
Matt De La Peña 0000000439804364 Matt de la Peña, a New York Times Bestselling author, has written six young adult novels and award-winning picture books. He received his MFA in creative writing fro...
Paul Von Blum
Paul Von Blum NONE Paul Von Blum is a Senior Lecturer at UCLA with a rich history in African American Studies and Communication Studies. Since 1968, he has taught at UC Berkeley and UCLA. An esteemed...
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, ...