AALBC Search
Jeannine A. Cook
Jeannine A. Cook NONE Jeannine A. Cook (left) is the founder and owner of three avant-garde bookshop concepts: Harriett’s in Philadelphia, Ida’s in South Jersey, and Josephine’s, a literary installa...
Christian Cook
Christian Cook 0000000109462330 Christian Sandra-Elise Cook, a Detroit-born author, graduated early from high school and earned a BA in Public Relations from Columbia College Chicago. Her passion for...
Suzan Johnson Cook
Suzan Johnson Cook 0000000027574363 Rev. Dr. Suzan D. Johnson Cook, also known as Dr. Sujay, is a prominent figure in religious freedom, serving as the former US Ambassador-at-Large for International...
William A. Darity Jr., A. Kirsten Mullen, and Lucas Hubbard
William A. Darity Jr., A. Kirsten Mullen, and Lucas Hubbard MULTIPLE William A. Darity Jr. is a professor and director at Duke University, specializing in Public Policy, African and African American ...
Michelle Cook
Michelle Cook NONE Sure, but can you please provide me with the author bio that you want me to summarize?
Charlotte Carter
Charlotte Carter 0000000081973701 Charlotte Carter, renowned for her mystery series featuring a jazz musician turned detective, and the Cook County series set in 1960s Chicago. Her work has featured ...
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou 0000000121191991 Maya Angelou, born Marguerite Johnson on April 4, 1928, was a renowned American author, actress, and civil rights activist. She held numerous roles, from cook to editor,...
Tara Betts
Tara Betts NONE Tara Betts, a celebrated author and poet, is known for her educational efforts in arts programs and her work with GirlSpeak. She has been featured on HBO's Def Poetry Jam and the Blac...
Frances Cress Welsing
Frances Cress Welsing 0000000385644851 Dr. Frances Cress Welsing, born March 18, 1935, was a renowned author and psychiatrist who developed the Cress-Welsing theory analyzing white supremacy. She beg...
Patti Labelle
Patti Labelle 0000000063111489 Patricia Louise Holt-Edwards, born May 24, 1944, is best known as Patti LaBelle. She is renowned for her soulful singing, style, and cooking. When I sing I sing with ...
Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys 0000000110657805 Alicia Keys, born Alicia Augello Cook in 1981, is a renowned artist. Discover more in our 2005 interview with her. Alicia Keys was born Alicia Augello Cook born on Januar...
Mara Rockliff
Mara Rockliff 0000000074221018 Mara Rockliff is a celebrated children's author known for her historical books such as the Cook Prize-winning 'Mesmerized'. Recent titles include the acclaimed 'Lights!...
Leah Chase
Leah Chase 0000000031174354 Leah Chase (1923-2019), born in Madisonville, Louisiana, became a national award-winning cook and civic figure after marrying into the Chase restaurant family in New Orlea...
Winsome Bingham
Winsome Bingham NONE Winsome Bingham, a soul food expert and master cook, is a disabled US Army veteran with over 15 years of teaching experience. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in educati...
Edna Lewis
Edna Lewis 000000006657645X Edna Lewis, one of the greatest American chefs, revived Southern cooking almost single-handedly. Commemorated by a US Postal stamp, she was often referred to as “the Gra...
Davey D
Davey D NONE Dave “Davey D” Cook is a renowned journalist, adjunct professor, Hip Hop historian, political commentator, talk show host, radio programmer, and advocate for media justice and community ...
David Roberts
David Roberts 0000000081109577 David Roberts is a London-based illustrator known for his work on children's books such as the Questioneers series, The Cook and the King, and Happy Birthday, Madame Ch...
Otto Penzler
Otto Penzler 0000000117770704 Otto Penzler, renowned authority on crime fiction, is the proprietor of The Mysterious Bookshop and founder of The Mysterious Press. He's published acclaimed authors, ed...
K. Kofi Moyo
K. Kofi Moyo 0000000041199256 Karega Kofi Moyo is a photojournalist, gemologist, and community activist. He and his wife founded the Real Men Cook for Charity event and he's a member of several food ...
Gene Barretta
Gene Barretta NONE Gene Barretta is an acclaimed children's book author and illustrator, known for titles like “Lincoln and Kennedy: A Pair to Compare.” He has won the Carolyn W. Field Award and Bank...
Carlotta Arradondo
Carlotta Arradondo NONE Carlotta Arradondo, a Minneapolis-born novelist, poet, and storyteller, discovered her passion for writing at nine. She is the author of the novel “Yearning” and co-author of ...
Sandy Daley
Sandy Daley NONE Sandy Daley, a versatile talent from Kingston, Jamaica, is an actress, author, and media personality known for her candidness. Her provocative novel, “Whose Vagina Is It, Really?” di...
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...
Gayl Jones
Gayl Jones 0000000109336115 “Gayl Jones is an exceptionally talented writer.” —Robert Fleming Gayl Jones was born on November 23, 1949, in Lexington, Kentucky. Her father Franklin J...
Jacqueline E. Luckett
Jacqueline E. Luckett NONE Jacqueline E. Luckett, a renowned storyteller, began her writing journey with diaries, poetry, and newspaper stories. After a corporate career, her passion for writing was ...
Sola Odemuyiwa
Sola Odemuyiwa NONE Sola Odemuyiwa, a Newcastle-born, Lagos-raised cardiologist, uses her patient encounters in England as inspiration for her writing. She explores themes like destiny, race, and fre...
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...
Jacki Simmons
Jacki Simmons NONE Bronx-born, Harlem-raised author Jacki Simmons found inspiration in her surroundings from a young age. She completed her first short story at 11 and her first novel at 16. After wi...
Sheila L. Jackson
Sheila L. Jackson NONE Sheila L. Jackson, an author, inspirational speaker, and teacher from Shreveport, Louisiana, empowers women through God’s word. As a clinical laboratory scientist, published an...
Laila Ibrahim
Laila Ibrahim NONE Laila Ibrahim, a full-time novelist, achieved fame with her book, Yellow Crocus, published in ten languages. Previously a preschool teacher and director, a birth doula, and a Direc...
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...
Wendy Coakley-Thompson
Wendy Coakley-Thompson 0000000045081204 Wendy Coakley-Thompson, Ph.D. is a masterful writer, journalist, and respected scholar who has established a precedence of addressing hard-hitting, cont...
Abiola Abrams
Abiola Abrams NONE Abiola Abrams is a renowned speaker, life coach, author, columnist, and media personality known for her heart-centered lifestyle advice. She is the creator of the “Passionista Play...
Kimberly Drew
Kimberly Drew 0000000495858893 Kimberly Drew is a passionate writer, curator, and activist with a focus on art, fashion, and cultural studies. She's the Social Media Manager at The Met, a board membe...
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...
Kai Leakes
Kai Leakes NONE Midwestern author Kai Leakes, developed a love for books early on, later evolving into a passion for storytelling. Now residing in Chicago, she's pursuing a doctorate while writing no...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
Una LaMarche
Una LaMarche NONE Una LaMarche is a prolific author of young adult novels and humor essays, and a contributing writer for The New York Observer and The Huffington Post. She blogs at The Sassy Curmudg...
Francina Simone
Francina Simone NONE Francina Simone is a YA author renowned for her authentic, humorous, and impactful stories. Her works focus on self-discovery and love. She also runs a popular BookTube channel d...
Katura J. Hudson
Katura J. Hudson NONE Katura J. Hudson, a marketing professional and editor from New Jersey, is known for leading marketing campaigns for numerous children's books. A Rutgers University graduate and ...
Shannen Dee Williams
Shannen Dee Williams NONE Dr. Shannen Dee Williams is an acclaimed scholar on African American topics and Black Catholicism. An Associate Professor at the University of Dayton, she authored the book ...
Paula Betancur
Paula Betancur NONE Colombian-born author, Paula Betancur, raised in New York, celebrates diversity, culture, and self-care. A lover of nature, yoga, DIY projects, and adventure, she's also a proud m...
Ruha Benjamin
Ruha Benjamin 0000000401943238 Ruha Benjamin is a 2024 MacArthur Foundation’s “Genius” Grant Winner Ruha Benjamin is a renowned sociologist, professor, and author specializing in tec...
Reclamation Project
Reclamation Project NONE The author discusses the reluctance of white communities to acknowledge past injustices and return stolen wealth, attributing their global prominence to these behaviors. Howe...
David W. Marshall
David W. Marshall NONE Author David W. Marshall touches readers with his writings, reflecting his passion for American history and social justice. Born in Washington D.C., raised in Norfolk, Virginia...
Antonio Michael Downing
Antonio Michael Downing 0000000117037422 Antonio Michael Downing is the author of the acclaimed memoir Saga Boy and children’s book Stars in My Crown. Antonio Michael is the current [2025] host of t...
Alaya Dawn Johnson
Alaya Dawn Johnson 0000000084426631 Alaya Dawn Johnson, an award-winning author recognized for her YA novels and short fiction. She won the 2015 Nebula Award for “A Guide to the Fruits of Hawai’i.” H...
Toni Chapman
Toni Chapman NONE Toni Chapman is a passionate home cook, recipe developer, and the creator of Toni’s Recipes and The Moody Foody, where she shares bold, comforting dishes made for real life. Her fl...
Laila Ali
Laila Ali NONE Laila Amaria Ali (born December 30, 1977) is an undefeated five-time boxing world champion with a 24–0 record and a 2022 International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee. As the daughter of...
Charlamagne Tha God
Charlamagne Tha God 0000000486501489 Charlamagne Tha God, born Lenard McKelvey, is a renowned media personality and co-host of The Breakfast Club radio show and Brilliant Idiots podcast. He's also a ...
Lewis R. Gordon
Lewis R. Gordon 000000010879961X Lewis R. Gordon is an Afro-Jewish philosopher, musician, and public intellectual, known for his work on social justice and human relationships to reality. An award-wi...
Tayari Jones
Tayari Jones 0000000034178764 Born in Atlanta, GA in 1970, Tayari Jones is an accomplished author and educator. After obtaining her Masters from the University of Iowa, she taught Developmental Readi...
William C. Rhoden
William C. Rhoden NONE Author Rhoden delves into institutionalized racism in sports in his book, “Forty Million Dollar Slaves: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Black Athlete.” He traces African ...
Jamie McGhee and Adam Hollowell
Jamie McGhee and Adam Hollowell MULTIPLE Jamie McGhee, an internationally recognized novelist, playwright, and essayist, has received fellowships and residencies across the globe. Now based in Berlin...
Leslie Gray Streeter
Leslie Gray Streeter NONE Leslie Gray Streeter is an award-winning journalist and columnist for the Baltimore Banner. She is also the cohost of the podcast Fine Beats and Cheeses, and a frequent spea...
Claude McKay
Claude McKay 0000000108625951 Festus Claudius McKay, a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, was born in Jamaica and authored influential works including the poem “If We Must Die” and novel “Home to ...
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 ...
Mark Whitaker
Mark Whitaker 0000000027724069 Mark Whitaker (born September 7, 1957) worked for 30 years at Newsweek, rising to become the magazine’s top editor. After that, he spent five years in television news,...
Chancellor Williams
Chancellor Williams NONE Dr. Chancellor James Williams (1898-1992) was a pivotal scholar in the study of Nile Valley Civilization. Born to former slaves, he became an acclaimed author, university pro...
William A. Darity Jr.
William A. Darity Jr. 0000000114797119 William A. (“Sandy”) Darity Jr. is the Samuel DuBois Cook Professor of Public Policy, African and African American Studies, and Economics at Duke University.
Brett T. Brown
Brett T. Brown NONE Brett Tyler Brown, born in 1997, is a talented self-taught artist inspired by Chicago's architecture. His passion for art extends to architecture, animation, and writing. He wrote...
Elle Simone Scott
Elle Simone Scott NONE AALBC Mourns the Passing of Elle Simone Scott Elle Simone Scott (born LaShawnda Sherise Simone Scott; November 28, 1976 – January 5, 2026) was an American chef, culinary produc...
Davon Moseley
Davon Moseley NONE Davon Moseley is the relaxing voice and supporting presence behind Royale Eats. He is a food content creator, home cook, and health & wellness coach. He is from the Washing...
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...
Christine Pauls
Christine Pauls NONE Christine Pauls, from Wilmington, DE, is an accomplished author of novels including her latest release “One Good Thing” (2017). Besides being a writer, she's an accountant in the...
Jaron Lanier
Jaron Lanier 0000000118753199 Lanier is a globally renowned technology writer known for his humanistic approach. Awarded the 2014 Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, his internationally bestselling...
Chance Arradondo
Chance Arradondo NONE Chance Arradondo is a versatile writer, born in 1989 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He writes novels, poetry, short stories, and lyrics, inspired by his life experiences and love fo...
Rudy Francisco
Rudy Francisco NONE Rudy K. Francisco, born 1982, is a renowned Spoken Word Poet known for his social critique, introspection, humor, and honesty. He discusses race, class, gender, and religion throu...
Hilton Als
Hilton Als 0000000106528066 Congrats to Hilton Als: Winner 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Criticism Hilton Als, an associate professor of writing at Columbia University, is an award-winning author and critic...
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 ...
Cherlyn Michaels
Cherlyn Michaels NONE Cherlyn Michaels is a self-published author and chemical engineer who began writing in grade school. She pursued her passion for writing after graduating from university, bravel...
Robin W. Pearson
Robin W. Pearson NONE Robin W. Pearson is a Southern-rooted author whose writing is inspired by her family history and faith. A Wake Forest University graduate and experienced editor, she's been a fi...
Dorothy West
Dorothy West 0000000117719538 Dorothy West (1907-1998) was an active participant in the Harlem Renaissance and the last surviving member. Known for her short stories, she debuted with her novel 'The ...
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...
Mayra Santos-Febres
Mayra Santos-Febres 0000000079758949 Mayra Santos-Febres, born in 1966, is a celebrated Afro-Puerto Rican author, poet, and literature professor. Her work, translated into numerous languages, explore...
Evelyn Coleman
Evelyn Coleman NONE Evelyn Coleman, born in 1948, is a renowned thriller and children's book author from Burlington, NC, currently living in Atlanta, Georgia. She's working on her next Patricia Conle...
Carolina Maria de Jesus
Carolina Maria de Jesus 0000000083875208 Carolina Maria de Jesus, born in 1914, was a Brazilian writer who highlighted life in favelas through her diaries. Despite facing extreme poverty and social o...
Zariah L. Banks
Zariah L. Banks NONE Zariah L. Banks, a multi-award-winning author, is renowned for her contemporary romance novels. She gained fame with her debut novel, “Beauty Beheld,” and Amazon bestselling nove...
Yvvette Edwards
Yvvette Edwards 000000012060298X London-based author, Yvvette Edwards, is best known for her debut novel “A Cupboard Full of Coats,” longlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Her work, focused on diverse ...
Mary Monroe
Mary Monroe 0000000029010860 Mary Monroe, a sharecropper's daughter and the first in her family to graduate high school, returned to the literary scene with her novel “God Don’t Like Ugly”, which sol...
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...
Ann Petry
Ann Petry 0000000114367004 Did you know? Ann Petry’s first novel The Street was the first novel by an African American to sell more than a million copies. Ann Petry (1908–1997) was an acclaimed ...
Laetitia Ky
Laetitia Ky 0000000524196957 Laetitia Ky is an Ivory Coast-based multi-talented artist known for using her hair as a sculptural medium to address social justice issues. Her debut book, Love and Justi...
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...
Evangeline M. Mitchell
Evangeline M. Mitchell 0000000052415145 Evangeline M. Mitchell, a New Orleans native and Houston-raised lawyer, studied at prestigious institutions like Harvard and the University of Iowa. She priori...
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...
zaji
zaji NONE Zaji is an accomplished author and freelance writer with a B.A. in English and M.S. in Journalism from Iona College. She's written a novel, poetry book, short stories, and is working on her...
Kopano Matlwa
Kopano Matlwa 0000000081937583 Kopano Matlwa, a South African writer and physician, is known for her novels 'Spilt Milk' and 'Coconut', both of which explore post-Apartheid era themes. Her debut nove...
Jacqueline Leigh
Jacqueline Leigh NONE Jacqueline Leigh is a children's book author and poet with a focus on Sierra Leone. Her notable works include a historical novel, The Heritage Keeper, and a nonfiction account o...
Deloris E. Jordan
Deloris E. Jordan NONE Delores E. Jordan, older sister of NBA star Michael Jordan, is a North Carolina native and mother of three residing in Pennsylvania. Using writing as an outlet during tough tim...
Grace Byers
Grace Byers 0000000456892239 Actress and activist Grace Byers, known for roles in Empire and The Gifted, uses her experiences as a bullied biracial CODA to inspire children's books like NY Times best...
Deborah Juniper-Frye
Deborah Juniper-Frye NONE “A grieving heart is full of emotions, struggles, and great despair. Hold on to Love, Hope, and Faith.” —Deborah Frye Deborah Juniper-Frye, with 20 years of...
camika c. spencer
camika c. spencer NONE Camika C. Spencer, a Dallas native, is a best-selling author known for her unique storytelling. After studying broadcasting, she discovered her writing talent at Black Images B...
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...
Zee Edgell
Zee Edgell 000000005844502X Belizean author Zee Edgell, educated in London and the West Indies, is known for her debut novel, “Beka Lamb.” A former journalist and founding editor of The Reporter, she...