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“The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain”
“The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain” Langston Hughes Article One of the most promising of the young Negro poets said to me once, “I want to be a poet—not a Negro poet,” meanin...
Donald Trump is a Negger
Donald Trump is a Negger AALBC Staff Writer Article It’s not a typo. Donald Trump used a pick-up artist’s strategy to win the presidency. For those of you who don’t know much abo...
VIDEO: Amiri Baraka: Evolution of a Revolutionary Poet
VIDEO: Amiri Baraka: Evolution of a Revolutionary Poet Troy Johnson Article Amiri Baraka: Evolution of a Revolutionary PoetExhibit at Zambezi Bazaar in conjunction with the Leimert Park Book Fair.Ami...
June 2017 eNewsletter: The Best New Books, Author Info, and More
June 2017 eNewsletter: The Best New Books, Author Info, and More Troy Johnson Article This Month’s Newsletter is Made Possible by Support From Amistad Authors You Should Know Tracy K. Smith...
Her Praise: Profile of Camille Yarbrough, a Renaissance Woman
Her Praise: Profile of Camille Yarbrough, a Renaissance Woman DuEwa M. Frazier Article With a career in the performing arts that has spanned a lifetime the acclaimed singer, actress, poet, act...
AAFCA Honored MOONLIGHT as Top Film & QUEEN SUGAR as the Top TV Show
AAFCA Honored MOONLIGHT as Top Film & QUEEN SUGAR as the Top TV Show Troy Johnson Article FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AFRICAN AMERICAN FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION (AAFCA) HONORED MOONLIGHT AS THE TOP ...
Who Was Frank Yerby?
Who Was Frank Yerby? Eugene Stovall Article Frank Garvin Yerby (September 5, 1916 — November 29, 1991) Frank Yerby was an African American writer who gave the world a body of ...
Spotlight on the 14th National Black Writers Conference: March 22 – March 25, 2018
Spotlight on the 14th National Black Writers Conference: March 22 – March 25, 2018 Troy Johnson Article AALBC.com is Hosting an Independent Publishing Workshop How to Publish Your Book Independently...
African Americans Figure Prominently in Presidential Debate
African Americans Figure Prominently in Presidential Debate Jamie Walker Article African Americans Figure Prominently in Presidential Debate by Jamie Walker Washington, DC&...
Come On, Jesse: Don’t Hate The Playa, Hate The Game!
Come On, Jesse: Don’t Hate The Playa, Hate The Game! Anthony Asadullah Samad Article Jesse Jackson, Sr.’s “;live mike” comments about Barack Obama reminds us that there&r...
Essence Atkins: The “Are We There Yet?” Interview
Essence Atkins: The “Are We There Yet?” Interview Kam Williams Article Essence Atkins was born in New York City on February 7, 1972. Between her innate sense of comedy and girl-next-door ch...
Mos Def: Amino Alkaline ' The Watermelon Syndicate rocked the dome of Carnegie Hall
Mos Def: Amino Alkaline ' The Watermelon Syndicate rocked the dome of Carnegie Hall DuEwa M. Frazier Article On Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 8pm, presented by Festival Network in part...
Etheridge Knight Festival
Etheridge Knight Festival Troy Johnson Article Etheridge Knight Inc. P.O. Box 18043 Indianapolis, IN 46218 Phone (317) 396-1529.Fax (317) 925-1481 E-mail EKFestival@aol.com The 11th Annual ...
The Magic of Just Being
The Magic of Just Being Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich Article I love and celebrate Black Girl Magic and Black Excellence. I mean! Just look at us. We truly are extraordinary. But sometimes &hellip...
More Poetry!/Less Jam!
More Poetry!/Less Jam! Tara Betts Article More Poetry!/Less Jam! by Tara Betts Bruce George’s outgoing voicemail message at Phat Farm states "Don’t leave a message unless it&rsq...
Sonia Sanchez Performs “Full Moon” Concert in NYC
Sonia Sanchez Performs “Full Moon” Concert in NYC Jamie Walker Article New York: Poet Sonia Sanchez celebrated the release of her new CD called The Full Moon of Sonia (V.I.A. Recording Art...
Troy Johnson: Literary Activist of the Year 2017
Troy Johnson: Literary Activist of the Year 2017 Troy Johnson Article On June 10, 2017, I had the fortune of being honored with the Literary Activist of the Year Award, which was presented to me ...
AALBC.com’s eNewsletter – October 28, 2014
AALBC.com’s eNewsletter – October 28, 2014 Troy Johnson Article You may receive this eNewsletter directly in your email-box by subscribing. It may also be read on your Kindle ebook reader, or any dev...
Financial Advice During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Financial Advice During the Covid-19 Pandemic Lynnette Khalfani-Cox Article The COVID-19 outbreak is disproportionately impacting African-Americans, from a public health standpoint and from an econom...
Terrific Books Coming in May, Beyond Adichie, and More!
Terrific Books Coming in May, Beyond Adichie, and More! Troy Johnson Article Terrific New Books Coming in May Former U.S. Poet Laureate, Rita Dove will publish a collection of her poetry from the 30...
University of Pittsburgh Press
University of Pittsburgh Press Troy Johnson Article http://www.pitt.edu/~press Title: Captivity Author: Toi Derricotte Publisher: University of Pittsburgh Press Date Published:...
“Who Will Write a Story for the Children of Eric Garner?”
“Who Will Write a Story for the Children of Eric Garner?” Troy Johnson Article AALBC Guest Post by Zetta Elliott “Who will write a story for the children of Eric Garner?” This question came to mi...
AA Cultural Expo 2000
AA Cultural Expo 2000 Troy Johnson Article This was the AALBC.com's second year at the National African American Cultural Expo, which is held every year at the Philadelphia Convention Center. 20...
Book Reviewing, African-American Style
Book Reviewing, African-American Style Wanda Coleman Article This article appeared in the September 16, 2002 edition of The Nation On April 14 [2002], my review of Maya Angelou’s A Song Flu...
March 26th 2013 – eNewsletter Highlights
March 26th 2013 – eNewsletter Highlights Troy Johnson Article Read Our Complete eNewsletter AALBC.com mourns the passing of Nigerian novelist and poet Chinua Achebe (November 16, 1930 — March ...
Anita Hemmings, the First Black Student to Attend Vassar College
Anita Hemmings, the First Black Student to Attend Vassar College Troy Johnson Article Karin Tanabe’s gripping new historical novel, The Gilded Years (Washington Square Press, June 7, 2016) is based o...
Blue Nile Press Presents: Raisins in Milk by David Covin
Blue Nile Press Presents: Raisins in Milk by David Covin Troy Johnson Article In 1977, when Toni Morrison was an editor for Random House, she read an early version of Raisins in Milk. In a letter she...
4th Annual AA Children's Book Fair
4th Annual AA Children's Book Fair Troy Johnson Article Toni Trent Parker, member of Black Americans in Publishing, will produce her fourth annual African American Children's Book Fair on Saturda...
Cheryl Woodruff Named President and Associate Publisher of SmileyBooks
Cheryl Woodruff Named President and Associate Publisher of SmileyBooks Troy Johnson Article OK y'all this is big. Cheryl Woodruff, founder and former associate publisher of One World, Random House’s ...
BET's Hot Ghetto Mess or Stop supporting the negative literature
BET's Hot Ghetto Mess or Stop supporting the negative literature Troy Johnson Article A prominent individual in Black publishing recently suggested that “I choose a side”. Basically I need to stop su...
Jane Addams Book Award Winner Jewell Parker Rhodes
Jane Addams Book Award Winner Jewell Parker Rhodes Troy Johnson Article ABOUT JEWELL PARKER RHODES Jewell Parker Rhodes is the Piper Endowed Chair and founding artistic director of the Virginia G. P...
50 Best Places to Meet Other Book Lovers Online
50 Best Places to Meet Other Book Lovers Online Anna Miller Article Editor’s Note: This article was updated in April 2017 to show sites that are no longer active or have completely shut d...
The Days of Being Gouged by Cable TV Companies Are Over...
The Days of Being Gouged by Cable TV Companies Are Over... Troy Johnson Article ...well almost. Two services, reported by the Wall Street Journal this morning, look very promising FilmOn.com and ...
Remembering Ossie Davis, With Love
Remembering Ossie Davis, With Love Jamie Walker Article “In the light of Africa, there is Ossie Davis.” —Attallah Shabazz
Get On Up - A New James Brown Movie Coming!
Get On Up - A New James Brown Movie Coming! Troy Johnson Article I just learned about this up coming film from my online buddy, CD Burns, an hour ago. After watching the trailer, I figured I’d shar...
Harlemnite Prays for Shootings... So Say the New York Times
Harlemnite Prays for Shootings... So Say the New York Times Troy Johnson Article Someone forwarded me a NY Times Article. The Times usually pisses me off when they write about Black folks 'cause they...
38th NAACP Image Awards (2007)
38th NAACP Image Awards (2007) Kam Williams Article Image Awards Upstaged by Resignation of NAACP President 38th NAACP Image Awards (2007) by Kam Williams &nb...
Highlighting Books Needed for Survival
Highlighting Books Needed for Survival Troy Johnson Article Our August 23rd Newsletter is Sponsored by Knopf Expanding Awards Section Our lists of award winning books have greatly increased i...
AALBC.com eNewsletter - August 1st 2012 - #193
AALBC.com eNewsletter - August 1st 2012 - #193 Troy Johnson Article Subscribe to this eNewsletter Read our eNewsletter Archives Read Our eNewsletter on Your Kindle Help AALBC.com support our...
“...what, he think he live in a white neighborhood or sumptin?!”
“...what, he think he live in a white neighborhood or sumptin?!” Troy Johnson Article I'll never understand, why people feel it is okay to litter. I can go outside, right now and watch an adult fini...
Summer_1998
Summer_1998 Troy Johnson Article Mosaic Literary Magazine Summer 1998 [ Home ] [ Up ] [ Buy Any Book ] Download a Electronic Version (PDF file) of Mosaic Literary Magaz...
Documentary Film on History of Blacks in Fantasy, Horror, and Science Fiction Books
Documentary Film on History of Blacks in Fantasy, Horror, and Science Fiction Books Troy Johnson Article https://www.youtube.com/embed/uvDW5z0b9po “The Invisible Universe documentary reveals the his...
2016 National Black Writers Conference
2016 National Black Writers Conference Troy Johnson Article Update: March 25, 2016 The Conference's Complete and final Schedule of Events is Now Available. Greetings Colleagues, We are excited a...
AALBC.com eNewsletter – December 31st 2012 – Issue #197
AALBC.com eNewsletter – December 31st 2012 – Issue #197 Troy Johnson Article AALBC.com eNewsletter – December 31st 2012 – Issue #197 I hope you enjoy AALBC.com's last eNewsletter for 2012. Please ta...
On-line Writers Workshop
On-line Writers Workshop Troy Johnson Article WANTED: Black Writers with balls and ovaries of teflon and steel who can put up with heat waves, flashbacks, old lovers and word processors who c...
A Fire in Harlem - Tribute to Sekou Sundiata at Up South International Book Festival
A Fire in Harlem - Tribute to Sekou Sundiata at Up South International Book Festival DuEwa M. Frazier Article Up South International Book Festival September 19th ’ September 23rd 2007 www...
More Bios.
More Bios. Troy Johnson Article 360� A Revolution of Black Poets Produced in the tradition of the Black Poetry Festivals and Conferences of the Black Arts Movement, this first Nati...
Black Renaissance Noire
Black Renaissance Noire Troy Johnson Article Selected by Library Journal as one of the ten best magazines of 1996 Vol. 3 No. 1 Fall 2000 Manthia Diawara Editor-in-C...
Etheridge Knight Poetry Fest 2001
Etheridge Knight Poetry Fest 2001 Troy Johnson Article THIS EVENT HAS TAKEN PLACE AND IS RECORDED HERE AS AN HISTORICAL ARCHIVE. FRIDAY, APRIL 20TH THRU SUNDAY, APRIL 22ND, 200...
Complete List of 1,453 Titles Sold in 2006
Complete List of 1,453 Titles Sold in 2006 Troy Johnson Article Complete List of 1,453 Titles Sold in 2006 In 2006 AALBC.com sold 1,453 different titles via the Amazon....
Jennifer Lopez on Playing Puchi and Producing Her First Picture
Jennifer Lopez on Playing Puchi and Producing Her First Picture Kam Williams Article Born in the South Bronx on July 24, 1969, Jennifer Lynn Lopez “J-Lo” has come a long way f...
Dear Verdel
Dear Verdel Ina Yalof Article Dear Verdel, It has been decades since you kept house for my family, but I still think of you every so often. Perhaps now more so than ever, as the Black Lives Ma...
AALBC.com Celebrates 20 Years!
AALBC.com Celebrates 20 Years! Troy Johnson Article Website Upgrade Nearing Completion I’m just a few months away from completing AALBC’s most recent upgrade. It has been a two year ...
Opal's Jim Crow Blues - Research & Share Your Family History (Part 2)
Opal's Jim Crow Blues - Research & Share Your Family History (Part 2) Troy Johnson Article Today's blog post is by guest Cheryl Wills. Cheryl, a television news anchor and reporter, has extensively ...
Interview with Production Designer Wynn Thomas
Interview with Production Designer Wynn Thomas Booker T. Mattison Article Production designer Wynn Thomas started working in theatre as a teenager growing up in Philadelphia. Upon graduation...
Shine On: The Writings of Diane Oliver
Shine On: The Writings of Diane Oliver Michael A. Gonzales Article In 2021 my friend Paul Price was cleaning out a storage unit when he stumbled on collection of Black literature called Right On! A...
Introducing Delaney Diamond, USA Today Bestselling Author
Introducing Delaney Diamond, USA Today Bestselling Author Troy Johnson Article Delaney Diamond is the USA Today Bestselling Author of sweet, sensual, passionate romance novels and is the manager ...
State of the Black Union 2009
State of the Black Union 2009 Kam Williams Article Tavis Assembles Black Luminaries in L.A. for 10th Annual Gathering State of the Black Union by Kam Williams The 10th Annual Sta...
Unpublished Stories From Octavia Butler Available for the First Time
Unpublished Stories From Octavia Butler Available for the First Time Troy Johnson Article Octavia E. Butler (1947–2006) was a bestselling and award-winning author, considered one of the best scie...
She is Global, an Artist, a Movement—Malaika Adero is “Global I Aam”
She is Global, an Artist, a Movement—Malaika Adero is “Global I Aam” Patrick A. Howell Article
Iron Pot Cooker CD Review
Iron Pot Cooker CD Review Troy Johnson Article The Iron Pot Cooker Click to Order via Amazon by Camille Yarbrough Audio CD (February 22, 2000) Number of Discs: 1 Label: Vanguard Records ...
Book Club Picks - $10 Classics from HarperCollins - Plus More in AALBC’s eNewsletter
Book Club Picks - $10 Classics from HarperCollins - Plus More in AALBC’s eNewsletter Troy Johnson Article Books a Few Book Clubs are Enjoying this Month The Tea’s October Selection – We Shou...
Author Martha Southgate Reflects on the State of African American Fiction
Author Martha Southgate Reflects on the State of African American Fiction Troy Johnson Article This article was brought to my attention by author Eisa Ulen (www.EisaUlen.com/blog).Author Martha South...
An Author You Should Know (Married Couples Edition)
An Author You Should Know (Married Couples Edition) Troy Johnson Article “An Author You Should Know” is a regular feature of AALBC.com where we promote noteworthy authors on our homepage, blog (see r...
Ellis Cose: An Author You Should Know
Ellis Cose: An Author You Should Know Troy Johnson Article [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Author Ellis Cose (l) with childhood buddy Verdeen White of Earth White and Fire"][/...
Actor Bill Duke Praises Author Relentless Aaron
Actor Bill Duke Praises Author Relentless Aaron Troy Johnson Article Troy Johnson of AALBC.com joined renowned actor and director, Bill Duke and best selling author Relentless Aaron for a celebrator...
Panel discussion entitled Their Eyes Were Reading Smut:
Panel discussion entitled Their Eyes Were Reading Smut: Troy Johnson Article I attended a panel discussion entitled Their Eyes Were Reading Smut: The Impact of Ghetto Fiction on African American Lite...
Video Coverage of the 2018 National Book Club Conference
Video Coverage of the 2018 National Book Club Conference Troy Johnson Article I attended the 2018 National Book Club Conference August 3rd and 4th. I have not attended since the 2010. The confer...
Dwayne Alexander Smith on Winning the 2015 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work—Debut Author
Dwayne Alexander Smith on Winning the 2015 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work—Debut Author Dwayne Alexander Smith Article When I reached the podium, after the applause had faded, the fir...
The Black Arts Movement’s Attack on W.E.B. Du Bois’ Theory of Double Consciousness
The Black Arts Movement’s Attack on W.E.B. Du Bois’ Theory of Double Consciousness Tony Lindsay Article Tony Lindsay There have been two major Black literary movements in American history: The...
In Defense of Ashley Judd
In Defense of Ashley Judd Kevin Powell Article Ashley Judd is a very courageous woman. I am not referring to her work as a global ambassador for YouthAids, or her efforts to end poverty and sexual...
A Tale of Two Countries
A Tale of Two Countries Anthony Browder Article This is a tale of two countries and their treatment of two African American men named Michael Brown. This is also a tale about the best of times ...
The ESSENCE Brand—Where Black Women Come First—NOT!
The ESSENCE Brand—Where Black Women Come First—NOT! Troy Johnson Article A few weeks ago, I visited Essence Magazine’s website to learn which Black owned bookstore they were going to use as the books...
New Books February 2017, Book Reviews, Events, and More
New Books February 2017, Book Reviews, Events, and More Troy Johnson Article New Books Coming Out February 2017 Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson A timely and powerful story about a teen gir...
Take Your Pleasure Where You Find It<em> (2nd review)</em>
Take Your Pleasure Where You Find It (2nd review) Thumper Article I am usually excited when I get to read a new J. D. Mason novel. Over the years, she has become one of my favorite authors. When I ...
Black Women Lead the Way Promoting Black Culture through Books
Black Women Lead the Way Promoting Black Culture through Books Troy Johnson Article “Where a woman rules, streams run uphill.” —Ethiopian proverb AALBC.com’s Bestselling Books - January to February ...
Thumper’s Picks
Thumper’s Picks Thumper Article It’s been a while but I’m back with a whole new set of books that I have fallen in love with, passed around, and will sing the praises of at the drop of ...
My Interview with Snoop of HBO's The Wire
My Interview with Snoop of HBO's The Wire Troy Johnson Article Felicia "Snoop" Pearson and AALBC.com founder Troy Johnsonvideo taped interview (8 minutes) The first time I saw Snoop was on HBO's The ...
African-American Literary Industry Giants Gather in NYC
African-American Literary Industry Giants Gather in NYC Troy Johnson Article Book Expo America Recap by Kam Williams http://reviews.aalbc.com/book_expo_america_recap.htm Book Expo America, pub...
2009 Book Expo America Recap
2009 Book Expo America Recap Kam Williams Article African-American Literary Industry Giants Gather in NYC Check out Related Videos Book Expo America, publi...
Good Books, Films, Events & Articles – June 23, 2014 eNewsletter
Good Books, Films, Events & Articles – June 23, 2014 eNewsletter Troy Johnson Article You may receive this eNewsletter directly in your email-box by subscribing. It may also be read on your Kindle e...
Why Did The City Sun [1984–1996] Matter?
Why Did The City Sun [1984–1996] Matter? Wayne Dawkins Article Editors’s Note: Check out Dawkins’ book about The City Sun’s publisher Andrew W. Cooper A decade ago ...
It’s Been Fun, Kids! C. Kelly Robinson Retires
It’s Been Fun, Kids! C. Kelly Robinson Retires C. Kelly Robinson Article Family, friends, and loyal readers, This week’s passing of acclaimed author and journalist BeBe Moore Campbell mov...
Parker Publishing
Parker Publishing Troy Johnson Article Parker Publishing was established by seasoned industry professionals, and targets the ever-expansive market of books by and about African-Americans. ...
Ivan Van Sertima: My Historical Guide and Mentor
Ivan Van Sertima: My Historical Guide and Mentor Joel A. Freeman Article My interest in Black history was launched in earnest about 42+ years ago in 1980 when some Black pro athletes asked me questio...
Gift of Revelation’s Author Explains his Penchant for Spirituality and how he Overcame Challenges to Produce a Popular Line of Religious Fiction
Gift of Revelation’s Author Explains his Penchant for Spirituality and how he Overcame Challenges to Produce a Popular Line of Religious Fiction Robert Fleming Article Q. Where have you been after ...
Ten Steps to Promote Diversity in Children’s Literature
Ten Steps to Promote Diversity in Children’s Literature Troy Johnson Article Ten Steps to Promote Diversity in Children’s Literature by Wade Hudson This Diversity Books Pledge was developed after a...
In Remembrance of Dr. Walter Rodney, Martyred on June 13, 1980
In Remembrance of Dr. Walter Rodney, Martyred on June 13, 1980 James McIntosh Article This talk was delivered by Dr. McIntosh at John Henrik Clarke House on June 7, 2015 Today our topic is Walt...
A Profile of the Late Hugh Holton
A Profile of the Late Hugh Holton Michael Marsh Article Hugh Holton, passed May 18, 2001 at age 54, just eight days after his eighth novel, The Devil’s Shadow Books Behind the Ba...
The Black Arts Movement (BAM)
The Black Arts Movement (BAM) Kalamu ya Salaam Article “…aesthetic and spiritual sister of the Black Power concept.”―Larry Neal The Black Arts Movement spans the period fr...
The Moors in Europe
The Moors in Europe Runoko Rashidi Article THE GLOBAL AFRICAN COMMUNITY HISTORY NOTES: THE MOORS IN EUROPE BY RUNOKO RASHIDI It would not be inaccurate to say that the Moors helped reintrodu...
Introducing An American Story
Introducing An American Story Kwame Alexander Article An American Story Written by Kwame Alexander, Art by Dare Coulter Kwame Alexander, the #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning ...
May 2017 Newsletter: Bestselling Books, New Books, Author Info, and Much More
May 2017 Newsletter: Bestselling Books, New Books, Author Info, and Much More Troy Johnson Article Our May Newsletter is Generously Sponsored by Amistad Bestselling Books Bestselling Books: M...
Virginia Deberry and Donna Grant: Our writing career is officially on HOLD
Virginia Deberry and Donna Grant: Our writing career is officially on HOLD Virginia Deberry and Donna Grant Article Virginia DeBerry (r) and Donna Grant (l)
Connor Literary Agency
Connor Literary Agency Troy Johnson Article The Connor Literary Agency is a full service agency dedicated to advising and guiding writers in every aspect of their literary career...
Chester Himes
Chester Himes Michael Marsh Article Long before becoming a famous novelist, Chester Himes was a budding criminal. But his life changed after he was arrested in Chicago. His approach to his fir...
April 18, 2017 Newsletter: New Books, Vote for Your Favorite Author, and More
April 18, 2017 Newsletter: New Books, Vote for Your Favorite Author, and More Troy Johnson Article AALBC.com Congratulates all the Winners of Pulitzer Prizes in the Letters and Drama Categories Fict...
September Newsletter: Recommended Reads, the MS Book Festival, and More
September Newsletter: Recommended Reads, the MS Book Festival, and More Troy Johnson Article Recommended Reads N. K. Jemisin the Only Writer to Win the Best Novel Hugo Award in three Consecutive Yea...
Victoria Christopher Murray Celebrates a Writing Career Spanning 20 Years and 27 Novels!
Victoria Christopher Murray Celebrates a Writing Career Spanning 20 Years and 27 Novels! Troy Johnson Article “In 1997, I self-published my first novel, Temptation. I sold 9,000 copies in 6 months,...
Book-Remarks.com
Book-Remarks.com Troy Johnson Article The goal of Book-Remarks.com is to offer exciting, timely, positive, and useful information to the African-American reading community. Book-Remarks...