AALBC Search
Donna M. Gray-Banks
Donna M. Gray-Banks NONE Donna M. Gray-Banks, founder of F.R.E.S.H. Book Festival, is a successful author known for her suspense erotic trilogy and a guest columnist for various outlets. She hosts tw...
V. Brooks Dunbar
V. Brooks Dunbar NONE Dr. V. Brooks Dunbar is a renowned author, speaker, and leadership consultant. Known as the Confidence Commander, she empowers individuals and organizations to unlock their pote...
Lenzy Hancock
Lenzy Hancock NONE Lenzy Leroy-Hancock is a proud father of four children who serve as his primary inspiration to strive for greatness. A retired Department of Defense employee and a veteran of the ...
Hans J. Massaquoi
Hans J. Massaquoi 0000000078269078 Hans Massaquoi, former Ebony magazine editor and author, notably known for his memoir on his unique childhood in Germany, passed away at the age of 87 in Jacksonvil...
Angelia Vernon Menchan
Angelia Vernon Menchan NONE “There is abundance through God for all of us; we simply have to be open for our blessings.” Angelia Vernon Menchan, a prolific author based in Jacksonville, Fl...
LaKesa Cox
LaKesa Cox NONE LaKesa Cox is an award-winning author and screenwriter with over 20 years of experience. She has published four novels and has contributed to two anthologies. She was acknowledged as ...
Roy Glenn
Roy Glenn 0000000067434664 Roy Glenn, a renowned author famous for his vivid imagination, began his writing career with his self-published novel, “Is It a Crime.” The book birthed the popular charact...
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...
Michelle Donice
Michelle Donice NONE Michelle Donice, an Indianapolis native, is an accomplished academic and author dividing her time between inspiring youth and writing fiction in central Florida. She credits her ...
Brenda Jackson
Brenda Jackson 0000000117535931 Jackson is New York Times bestselling with of 150 romance novels. Brenda Jackson, a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, has written over 150 novels and nov...
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...
Nathaniel Glover
Nathaniel Glover NONE From the terrors of Ax Handle Saturday to making history as a barrier-breaking law enforcement leader and academic champion, Nathaniel Glover’s journey is an enduring...
Hallema
Hallema NONE Hallema, a Miami-born writer and lawyer, holds degrees from Florida State University and Stetson University College of Law. Known for her spoken word poetry in South Florida, she's also ...
Matthew A. Cherry
Matthew A. Cherry 0000000500418922 Former NFL wide receiver, Matthew A. Cherry, transitioned into filmmaking after his retirement in 2007. He's known for directing over 20 music videos, his feature f...
Toni Blackman
Toni Blackman 0000000036920264 Toni Blackman, an international champion of hip-hop culture, is known for her captivating performances and powerful presence. She's the first hip-hop artist to work as ...
Desmond Meade
Desmond Meade NONE Desmond Meade, president of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and chair of Floridians for a Fair Democracy, is a renowned advocate for voting rights. A former homeless retur...
Edwina Louise Dorch
Edwina Louise Dorch NONE Edwina Louise Dorch is a Ph.D. psychologist and minimalist artist based in Florida, specializing in painting female figures and seascapes. She uses art as a therapy tool to m...
Preston L. Allen
Preston L. Allen NONE Preston L. Allen, a Boston and Miami native, is an award-winning author known for his engaging short stories. A recipient of the State of Florida Individual Artist Fellowship in...
Frederick Preston
Frederick Preston 0000000068026443 Frederick J. Preston is an author and entrepreneur since 1989, leading WordPlay Multimedia, a company specializing in books, clothing, and professional development ...
Jael Richardson
Jael Richardson NONE Jael Ealey Richardson is a Toronto-based author and educator with an MFA in Creative Writing. Known for her memoir and children's book, both titled The Stone Thrower, her work re...
Stacey Marie Robinson
Stacey Marie Robinson NONE Stacey Marie Robinson is the founder of Kya Publishing, where she directs operations including creating and promoting her Urban Toronto Tales novels. She holds degrees in C...
Henrietta Mays Smith
Henrietta Mays Smith 0000000066593663 Dr. Henrietta M. Smith, Ph.D, is a distinguished scholar and editor with a background in English, History, and Library Science. She's known for her editorial wor...
Q. B. Wells
Q. B. Wells NONE Q.B. Wells, founder of Art Official Media LLC, is a publisher of urban-themed books and media. Wells also writes for various urban literature outlets. An entrepreneur and former educ...
Corinda Pitts Marsh
Corinda Pitts Marsh NONE Corinda Pitts Marsh, a Florida State University graduate, is a writer and professor specializing in rural Southern heritage and social justice themes. She is passionate about...
Jessica Pryce
Jessica Pryce NONE Jessica Pryce, a Faculty at Florida State University, has 15 years of diverse experience in child welfare. She has trained 150+ organizations, promotes system-wide changes, and hol...
DeAndra Davis
DeAndra Davis NONE DeAndra Davis is a neurodivergent, Jamaican-American author who lives in the swampy heat of Florida. Her debut All the Noise at Once follows an autistic main character as messy as...
Rose Brock
Rose Brock 0000000107888362 Rose Brock, a professor at Sam Houston State University, is renowned for inspiring youth to love books. In addition to her career as a librarian and educator, she co-found...
Zuksiwa Wanner
Zuksiwa Wanner NONE Zukiswa Wanner, born to South African and Zimbabwean parents in Zambia, is a celebrated author known for award-nominated novels like “Men of the South.” As an essayist, she focuse...
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 ...
Ava DuVernay
Ava DuVernay 000000035624500X Ava DuVernay is an award-winning writer, producer, and director in independent film. She founded DVA Media + Marketing and the African-American Film Festival Releasing M...
Darlene Williams
Darlene Williams NONE Darlene Williams is an award-winning businesswoman, adjunct lecturer, bestselling author, and nationally recognized youth and literacy advocate. She serves as President of the ...
Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union 0000000119926290 Gabrielle Monique Union, born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1972, transitioned from high school athlete to acclaimed actress. She initially starred in teen films but gained r...
Kaven Brown
Kaven Brown NONE Kaven Brown, a multifaceted entrepreneur known for his work as an author, photographer, and producer, has been influential in the publishing and music video industry. Brown's work ra...
Johnnetta Betsch Cole
Johnnetta Betsch Cole 0000000033467652 Johnnetta B. Cole, Ph.D., is a renowned anthropologist and educator who has served as president of both Spelman and Bennet Colleges, and Director of the Smithso...
Dawnie Walton
Dawnie Walton NONE Dawnie Walton, a celebrated fiction writer & journalist, explores identity & pop culture. She's an MFA graduate from Iowa Writers' Workshop, a recipient of fellowships from MacDowe...
Ernest Morris
Ernest Morris 0000000071824075 EJ Morris, known as “The Urban Fiction Literary Guru,” debuted in the literary world in 2014 with his novel, Flippin Numbers. Raised on the tough streets of Pennsylvani...
Fanita Pendleton
Fanita Pendleton NONE Fanita “Moon†Pendleton, originally from Oakland, is a parole officer based in Norfolk, Virginia. She's an experienced criminal justice instructor with a Masters in Public A...
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...
Cathy Finch White
Cathy Finch White NONE Cathy Finch White, a former medical professional turned author, advocates for child education through reading. She has written four award-winning books, including “Anna Learn's...
Patricia A. Saunders
Patricia A. Saunders NONE Patricia A. Saunders, an author from Connecticut, now based in San Francisco, began her writing journey after her mother's passing. She released her first book in 2012 and i...
Nahum Thermidor
Nahum Thermidor NONE Nahum Thermidor is a University of South Florida alumnus, with a focus in Social Sciences (Criminology) and minors in International Business and Financing. He has a 13-year caree...
Kelvin Bodley
Kelvin Bodley NONE Kelvin D. Bodley, a Chicago native and now Florida resident, is a social change advocate, author, and Minister of the Gospel. He served as the Special Assistant to Mayor Anthony Gr...
Nikesha Elise Williams
Nikesha Elise Williams NONE Nikesha Elise Williams is a two-time Emmy award–winning producer, an award–winning author, and producer and host of the Black & Published podcast. Her lat...
Garcelle Beauvais
Garcelle Beauvais 0000000046979075 Garcelle Beauvais is a versatile Hollywood force as an actress, author, producer, and humanitarian. From a modeling career to major roles in TV and films like The J...
Kwame Mbalia
Kwame Mbalia 0000000501737490 Kwame Mbalia, previously a part-time pharmaceutical calibration tech, is now a full-time writer and father. Kwame Mbalia is a husband, father, writer, a New York Times b...
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...
Bonnie J. Glover
Bonnie J. Glover NONE Born in Alabama and raised in Brooklyn, Bonnie J. Glover is a graduate of Florida A&M University and Stetson University College of Law. She has worked for the Housing Authority ...
Martin Munro
Martin Munro 0000000114992192 Martin Munro, a professor of French and Francophone Studies at Florida State University, specializes in Haitian Literature and American rhythm and race studies. He has a...
Catherine Mann
Catherine Mann 0000000121252993 Catherine Mann is a USA Today bestselling author and RITA Award winner who has written over 60 contemporary romance books. A former theater school director with degree...
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...
Darline Dorce-Coupet
Darline Dorce-Coupet NONE Darline Dorce-Coupet was born in Port-au-Prince Haiti but was raised in Miami, Florida, which was home for years. However, Ms. Dorce-Coupet has recently relocated...
Christine Platt
Christine Platt NONE Christine Platt Patrick, also known as CP Patrick, is a Florida-born author specializing in African Diaspora narratives interlacing fiction and fantasy. She holds degrees in Afri...
Ersula Knox Odom
Ersula Knox Odom NONE Ersula Knox Odom is a renowned legacy writer and author with over 100 published articles and two biographies. She's also a motivational speaker, prize-winning lyricist, and port...
Herman J. Fountain Jr.
Herman J. Fountain Jr. NONE Rev. Dr. Herman J. Fountain Jr. is a retired psychotherapist with 20 years of experience in a Florida state prison and a former deputy warden in Kentucky. He spent 16 year...
Eric Deggans
Eric Deggans NONE Eric Deggans, NPR's first full-time TV critic, has served as a critic across various mediums and regularly comments on TV for National Public Radio. Raised in Indiana with a journal...
Tae Edmonds
Tae Edmonds NONE Jervonte “Tae” Edmonds is a versatile professional as a Realtor, Public Speaker, Entrepreneur, Educator, Author, and Philanthropist. He's the founder & CEO of Suits For Seniors, a pr...
April Maria Williams
April Maria Williams NONE April Maria Williams is a Juris Doctor from Florida A&M University College of Law and a Master of Tax Law from the University of Houston. A prominent advocate for social jus...
Anika Malone
Anika Malone NONE Anika Malone, author of the acclaimed “10 Minutes Past Too Late”, is celebrated as a fresh voice in contemporary fiction. She has participated in notable book events across the Unit...
Kellie Magnus
Kellie Magnus 0000000114740104 Kellie Magnus is a Jamaican children's author and media writer. An alumna of Harvard and Columbia Universities, she's the Chair of the Kingston Book Festival and serves...
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...
justin a. reynolds
justin a. reynolds NONE Justin A. Reynolds is an acclaimed author renowned for his debut YA novel, “Opposite of Always,” and second novel “Early Departures.” His work includes a Marvel graphic novel ...
David Washington
David Washington NONE Dr. David Washington decision to write a graphic novel stemmed from his dissatisfaction with the lack of diversity in the superhero genre. He hoped to provide his children with ...
Esther Phillips
Esther Phillips 0000000073657506 Esther Phillips, founder of The Bim Literary Festival & Book Fair and editor of Bim magazine, is a highly decorated poet with an MFA in Creative Writing. She's won pr...
Thando Mgqolozana
Thando Mgqolozana 0000000071220474 Thando Mgqolozana, born in 1983, is a renowned South African novelist and Mandela Rhodes Scholar. He authored novels like 'Hear Me Alone' and 'Unimportance' and co-...
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...
Vashti Harrison
Vashti Harrison 0000000476987403 Vashti Harrison, born in 1988, is a Virginia-based author, illustrator, and filmmaker with a passion for storytelling. She has degrees in Media Studies, Studio Art, F...
Alberto O. Cappas
Alberto O. Cappas NONE Alberto O. Cappas, a Puerto Rican-born poet, writer, and community activist, is known for his work in economic development, literature, and advocacy in New York and Buffalo. He...
Cheryl Clarke
Cheryl Clarke 0000000383377198 Cheryl L. Clarke, born in 1947, is a lesbian poet, essayist, and a Black feminist activist. Her work emphasizes African-American women's literature and black lesbian fe...
Louis Edwards
Louis Edwards 0000000028382400 Louis Edwards, a Guggenheim Fellowship and Whiting Award-winning author, has written four novels including Ramadan Ramsey and Ten Seconds. Louisiana-born Edwards is als...
Biyi Bandele
Biyi Bandele 0000000120964833 Biyi Bandele-Thomas (1967-2022) was a renowned Nigerian novelist, playwright, director, and photographer. He was celebrated as one of Africa's top 50 artists. Bandele's ...
Regie Gibson
Regie Gibson NONE Regie Gibson is a poet, songwriter, author, workshop facilitator, and educator. Regie has performed, taught, and lectured at schools, universities, theaters and various other ve...
James Weldon Johnson
James Weldon Johnson 0000000120206864 James Weldon Johnson was a legendary civil rights activist, renowned author, and key figure in the Harlem Renaissance. His diverse career spans roles as a U.S. c...
Omar Tyree
Omar Tyree 0000000063866005 Omar Tyree, a.k.a. The Urban Griot is a New York Times best-selling author, journalist, lecturer, poet, screenwriter, songwriter, playwright, host, blogger, publishing con...
Amina Gautier
Amina Gautier 0000000118109950 Dr. Amina Gautier, an award-winning author of three short story collections, is a scholar and professor specializing in African American literature. She teaches in the ...
Charles S. Johnson
Charles S. Johnson 0000000108707076 Charles Spurgeon Johnson was a prominent 20th-century black sociologist, key figure of the Harlem Renaissance, and a Ph.D. graduate from the University of Chicago....
Dantiel W. Moniz
Dantiel W. Moniz NONE A 2021 National Book Foundation “5 Under 35” Honoree Dantiel W. Moniz is an award-winning author, recognized by the Alice Hoffman Prize and Tin House Scholarship. Her...
Nancy Churnin
Nancy Churnin NONE Nancy Churnin is a celebrated children's book author, known for inspiring kids to be heroes through her stories. She's a Eureka Silver Award winner and has been recognized with the...
Katheryn Russell-Brown
Katheryn Russell-Brown 0000000110004863 Katheryn Russell-Brown, author of award-winning book 'Little Melba and Her Big Trombone', is a Law professor and director of the Center for the Study of Race a...
Ibram X. Kendi
Ibram X. Kendi 0000000126860699 Ibram Xolani Kendi, an assistant professor of African American History at the University of Florida, is an award-winning author and former journalist. Kendi has receiv...
Larry Dane Brimner
Larry Dane Brimner 0000000082811384 Larry Dane Brimner, born 1949, is an award-winning author known for his innovative non-fiction for young readers. He won the 2018 Robert F. Sibert Award for his bo...
Lolita Files
Lolita Files 0000000067722180 Lolita Files, an accomplished African-American author, screenwriter, and producer, is known for her bestselling novels like 'Scenes from a Sistah' and 'Child of God'. Wi...
Anastasia Magloire Williams
Anastasia Magloire Williams NONE Anastasia Williams, Florida-based illustrator and graphic designer, uses her art to depict diverse adventures and untold stories. Known for embracing her Afro hair, a...
Gladys Jose
Gladys Jose 0000000500478247 Gladys Jose, an illustrator and storyteller, graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Fine Arts. She's known for illustrating books like Library ...
Mickey See-Asia
Mickey See-Asia NONE Michele D. Croswell, pen name Mickey See-Asia, is a New York-born author known for her impactful books that discuss her personal experiences with sexual abuse and empowering love...
Donna Drew Sawyer
Donna Drew Sawyer NONE Donna Drew Sawyer, author of Provenance, has a rich background in arts administration, advertising, and public relations. A New Yorker with over three decades of experience in ...
Breena Clarke and Amy Newmark
Breena Clarke and Amy Newmark MULTIPLE Amy Newmark is the author, editor, and publisher of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Breena Clarke, a distinguished Black scholar and novelist, penned the ...
Tammy Merkison
Tammy Merkison NONE Tammy Merkison, a dedicated writer and local model/actress from Central Florida, started her career in aviation maintenance but returned to her passion for creative writing in 200...
Gina Wilson Beckles
Gina Wilson Beckles NONE Gina Wilson Beckles, Ph.D., is the President and CEO of Program Evaluation Services, Inc. She teaches business administration at university, has 14+ years of experience in fe...
She Nell
She Nell NONE Nell is a devoted wife and mother living in Tampa, Florida. Blessed with three daughters, she cherishes her role as a child of the King. She Nell is a wife, mother, and daughter of the ...
Michelle D. Commander
Michelle D. Commander 0000000497642121 Dr. Michelle D. Commander is Deputy Director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. She is an interdisciplin...
Ayana Gray
Ayana Gray NONE Ayana Gray, a speculative author known for her love of monsters and myths, hails from Atlanta and now resides in Florida. She is a passionate reader, Formula One fan, and caretaker of...
G. Neri
G. Neri 0000000022608771 G. Neri is a Coretta Scott King honor-winning author known for books like 'Yummy', 'Surf Mules', and 'Ghetto Cowboy'. His work, recognized by numerous organizations including...
D.T. Pollard
D.T. Pollard NONE D.T. Pollard, an Essence Bestselling author from Texas, discovered his passion for writing at a young age but paused during college. After a 25-year career in technology sales, he r...
Paul Kellam
Paul Kellam NONE Paul Kellam is a Florida-based freelance watercolor illustrator known for adding vitality and color to books like Antonello Mellow Fellow. He holds a bachelor's degree in media arts ...
Jevon Bolden
Jevon Bolden NONE Jevon Bolden, a Florida-based editor and writer, specializes in creating educational books for children and adults. She holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of A...
Lauren Gibaldi
Lauren Gibaldi NONE Lauren Gibaldi, a public librarian based in Orlando, Florida, is a renowned author known for works like 'The Night We Said Yes', 'Autofocus', 'This Tiny Perfect World', and coedit...
Del Sandeen
Del Sandeen NONE Del Sandeen is a Florida-based copy editor and speculative fiction writer. She made her debut with “This Cursed House” in 2024. Her work has been featured in FIYAH Magazine, Nightlig...
Shara Moon
Shara Moon NONE Shara Moon is a writer and amateur historian who enjoys exploring Black world history. She is a former college writing instructor with degrees from the University of Central Florida a...
Francina Dubose Brooks
Francina Dubose Brooks NONE Francina Dubose Brooks was born and raised in Florida, received her Master of Nonprofit Management, and Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Florida....
Fabienne Josaphat
Fabienne Josaphat 0000000001379199 "Fabienne Josaphat, an M.F.A. graduate from Florida International University, is an accomplished writer with works in various journals. 'Dancing in the Baron’s Shad...