AALBC Search
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,...
Maya Angelou, Alice Walker, N. Y. Nathiri, and others
Maya Angelou, Alice Walker, N. Y. Nathiri, and others MULTIPLE Maya Angelou, Alice Walker, and N.Y. Nathiri are renowned authors. Angelou is celebrated for her series of autobiographies, Walker for h...
Maya Angelou and Hardie Grant Quadrille
Maya Angelou and Hardie Grant Quadrille MULTIPLE Maya Angelou and Hardie Grant Quadrille
Maya Soetoro-Ng
Maya Soetoro-Ng 0000000078169982 Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng, born in Jakarta, is a lecturer at the University of Hawaii and Barack Obama's sister. She recently published “Ladder to the Moon,” a picture book...
Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, Walter Dean Myers, Haki R. Madhubuti, Lucille Clifton and 8 others
Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, Walter Dean Myers, Haki R. Madhubuti, Lucille Clifton and 8 others MULTIPLE
James Forman Jr.
James Forman Jr. 0000000046875532 James Forman Jr., Yale Law School professor and former Supreme Court clerk, is a prolific writer featured in The New York Times and The Atlantic. His notable achieve...
Malika J. Stevely
Malika J. Stevely NONE Malika J. Stevely is a historical fiction author with a background in journalism. Known for her works on African American and women's literature, she has also interviewed icons...
Maya Cameron-Gordon
Maya Cameron-Gordon NONE Maya Cameron-Gordon is an author, mother, and former teacher with an MFA in filmmaking. She aims to diversify children's fantasy through her books and films, promoting repres...
Maya Wiley
Maya Wiley NONE Maya D. Wiley, a life-long civil rights advocate and attorney, is the current president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. An influential figure in activi...
Wanda Coleman
Wanda Coleman 0000000116780476 “I have yet to kill anyone—I have exhibited great restraint.” Wanda Coleman (1946-2013) was a renowned poet, former medical secretary, magazine editor,...
Eartha Watts-Hicks
Eartha Watts-Hicks NONE Eartha Watts-Hicks is a prolific writer for various online publications, including Harlem World's Magazine's blog and TheUrbanBookSource.com. She has been the director of publ...
Guy Johnson
Guy Johnson 0000000025337727 Emerging author with a passion for writing compelling stories seeks to reach the pinnacle of his craft. Having explored various creative pursuits, he found his calling in...
Jerome Lagarrigue
Jerome Lagarrigue 0000000403502938 Jerome Lagarrigue, a Paris-raised artist, moved to the US in 1992 and graduated from Rhode Island School of Design. He has won prestigious awards including the Core...
Jayne Pettit
Jayne Pettit NONE Jayne Pettit is a renowned author known for her biographical works on influential figures such as Maya Angelou, Jane Goodall, and Martin Luther King Jr., and historical narratives l...
Barry Fletcher
Barry Fletcher 000000004196937X Barry Fletcher, a renowned celebrity hairstylist, offers his expertise to A-list clientele including Halle Berry and Tina Turner, and influential figures like Condolee...
Suzette D. Harrison
Suzette D. Harrison NONE Suzette D. Harrison, a west coast native, began her literary career in junior high school. Inspired by African American literary voices such as Gloria Naylor, Maya Angelou, A...
Melissa V. Harris-Perry
Melissa V. Harris-Perry 0000000035811728 Melissa Harris-Perry is a writer, professor, TV host, and political commentator. She hosted an MSNBC show from 2012-2016, and is now the Maya Angelou Presiden...
M.E. Waters
M.E. Waters NONE M.E. Waters is an author, speaker, and business etiquette consultant with a master's degree in business management. Inspired by authors like Maya Angelou, she writes women's business...
Danielle Boodoo-Fortuné
Danielle Boodoo-Fortuné NONE Danielle Boodoo-Fortuné is a renowned Trinidadian poet and artist, with works featured in multiple publications. She won the 2009 Caribbean Writer's Paiewonksy Prize and...
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-...
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,...
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 ...
Donald Franklin Joyce
Donald Franklin Joyce NONE Donald Franklin Joyce, born Nov 4, 1938, is an esteemed academic library administrator, historian, and consultant. Holding a master's degree and a PhD, he is a member of va...
MK Asante
MK Asante NONE MK Asante, Jr., a bestselling author, award-winning filmmaker, and professor, uses his talent for storytelling to overcome personal struggles. Known for his memoir 'Buck,' Asante's wor...
Deborah Davis
Deborah Davis 0000000109357178 Deborah Davis is an acclaimed author of seven non-fiction books, including the authorized history of The Oprah Winfrey Show and Guest of Honor, a Phillis Wheatley Award...
NoViolet Bulawayo
NoViolet Bulawayo 0000000393964134 NoViolet Bulawayo, a Zimbabwean-born author, is known for her award-winning story “Hitting Budapest.” Her works have been featured in various publications and short...
W. Paul Coates
W. Paul Coates 0000000029319323 Coates Wins the 2024 Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation W. Paul Coates, founder of Black Classic Press, specializes in republishing significant work...
Mariana Llanos
Mariana Llanos 0000000037617355 Mariana Llanos, a Peru-born author, studied theater in Lima before moving to Oklahoma in 2002. She self-published her first book, Tristan Wolf, in 2013 and has since p...
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...
Kwame Nkrumah
Kwame Nkrumah 0000000110549118 Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first prime minister and president, led the country to independence from Britain in 1957 and ruled until a 1966 coup. His time in the U.S. greatl...
Zanele Muholi
Zanele Muholi 0000000120987488 Zanele Muholi, born 1972, is a South African visual activist and award-winning photographer. They are the co-founder of the Forum for the Empowerment of Women and found...
Kagiso Lesego Molope
Kagiso Lesego Molope 0000000109531455 Kagiso Lesego Molope is an Indigenous novelist and playwright of the San people of Southern Africa. She is the author of four other novels: Dancing in the Dust,...
Tamiya Davis
Tamiya Davis NONE Tamiya Davis, a Virginia native, is a longshoreman, fashion entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker. Her achievements include running a rights restoration chapter, owning a f...
Ben Jealous
Ben Jealous 0000000417015073 Benjamin Todd Jealous is a notable American civil rights leader and social impact investor. He was the youngest-ever national leader of the NAACP (2008-2013) and ran for ...
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...
Marlon McCaulsky
Marlon McCaulsky NONE Award-winning American author and screenplay writer, Marlon McCaulsky, is celebrated for his Fiction, Romance, and Science Fiction works that often highlight contemporary Africa...
Gary Golio
Gary Golio NONE Gary Golio is a multi-talented visual artist, musician, psychotherapist, and author, known for his New York Times-bestselling book about young Jimi Hendrix. His works focus on artists...
Francis Ray
Francis Ray 0000000110715606 Francis Ray (1944-2013) was a celebrated Texas-based author and school nurse practitioner. Known for her bestsellers in Blackboard and Essence Magazine, her work includes...
Brittany N. Williams
Brittany N. Williams NONE Brittany N. Williams is an award-nominated actress and the award-nominated author of the YA historical fantasy trilogy The Forge & Fracture Saga. She holds a BFA in Musical ...
T. Geronimo Johnson
T. Geronimo Johnson 0000000357171620 T. Geronimo Johnson, a New Orleans native, is a bestselling author known for 'Welcome to Braggsville' and 'Hold It 'Til It Hurts'. A finalist for the 2013 PEN/Fau...
Diana Murray
Diana Murray NONE Diana Murray, award-winning poet and former art director at Theory, transitioned from graphic design to writing. Known for her impressive sock collection, she now resides in a subur...
Masande Ntshanga
Masande Ntshanga 0000000450507336 Masande Ntshanga, winner of the 2013 PEN International New Voices Award and 2015 Caine Prize Finalist, is an accomplished writer and UCT graduate. He has written for...
Truth Thomas
Truth Thomas NONE Truth Thomas, born in Knoxville and raised in Washington DC, is an award-winning poet and singer-songwriter. He has authored four poetry collections including Speak Water, winner of...
Byron Pitts
Byron Pitts 0000000039302138 Byron Pitts is a renowned American journalist and author with ABC News. A multiple Emmy award winner, Pitts has over 20 years of experience, covering significant events l...
C. Alexandra Allen
C. Alexandra Allen NONE C. Alexandra Allen was born in Mount Vernon, New York and raised in the borough of Queens, New York. In 1992, she began her studies at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georg...
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 0000000081090255 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor in 1947, is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time. A 7-foot-2 Hall of Famer, he dominat...
Tonya Engel
Tonya Engel NONE Tonya Engel, a self-taught painter from Houston, Texas, is renowned for her children's book illustrations and expressive figurative art inspired by southern folk artists. Notably, sh...
Alretha Thomas
Alretha Thomas NONE Alretha Thomas is an acclaimed author & playwright who began writing at age 10. A standout in high school speech competitions, she pursued journalism at USC. Her unique storytelli...
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...
Virginia Deberry and Donna Grant
Virginia Deberry and Donna Grant MULTIPLE Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant are best friends turned successful authors, known for their enduring collaboration in African American fiction. Both started...
Rakim
Rakim 0000000118505494 Rakim, a transformative hip-hop artist, gained fame with the album 'Paid in Full', named MTV's greatest hip-hop album. His unique style influenced artists like Jay Z, Eminem, a...
Malorie Blackman
Malorie Blackman 0000000114886816 Oneta Malorie Blackman OBE, FRSL (born February 8, 1962) is a British writer who held the position of Children’s Laureate from 2013 to 2015. She primarily writes li...
April Gibson
April Gibson NONE April Gibson is a poet, writer, and professor from the South Side of Chicago. She is a winner of The Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Award, a Sustainable Arts Foundation Award, and a Loft L...
Sonia Sanchez
Sonia Sanchez 0000000080885435 Sonia Sanchez (b. 1934) is a significant figure in the Black Arts Movement, known for her innovative and original poetry that explores racial and gender struggles. Her ...
Clarence B. Jones
Clarence B. Jones 0000000036182118 AALBC mourns the passing of Clarence B. Jones Dr. Clarence Benjamin Jones (January 8, 1931 – May 22, 2026) the lawyer who served as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s pe...
Dana Marie Miroballi
Dana Marie Miroballi NONE Dana Marie Miroballi, a biracial ex-teacher now speech-language pathologist, authors books for young readers. With experiences from Germany, Uzbekistan, and now Chicago, she...
Booker T. Washington
Booker T. Washington 0000000114628411 Booker T. Washington (1856-1915) was a pivotal African American educator, author, and advisor to presidents. Born into slavery, he rose to become a key leader fo...
Cassandra Mack
Cassandra Mack NONE Cassandra Mack, founder of Strategies for Empowered Living Inc., is an author and life coach. Known for her blogs, books and radio appearances, she offers practical tools for succ...
Anthony Grooms
Anthony Grooms 0000000034968192 Anthony “Tony” Grooms, born in 1955, is a respected author and instructor at Kennesaw State University. With degrees in theatre, speech, and English, Grooms has receiv...
Lisa Moore Ramée
Lisa Moore Ramée NONE Lisa Moore Ramée, born and raised in Los Angeles, is a critically acclaimed author of two books, including “A Good Kind of Trouble.” A graduate in Speech Communications and Eng...
Kim Taylor
Kim Taylor 0000000111137246 Kim Taylor is a speech language pathologist, Department Supervisor, expert quilter, and author. Her quilts, reflecting African American life, have been exhibited widely, i...
Tamika D. Mallory
Tamika D. Mallory NONE Tamika D. Mallory, born in 1980, is a globally recognized civil rights activist, co-founder of Until Freedom and the Women's March, and author of 'State of Emergency'. She was ...
Nathan C. Heard
Nathan C. Heard NONE Nathan C. Heard (1936-2004) was a celebrated author, teacher, and actor. Known as a pioneer of “street literature,” he gained fame with his book Howard Street, written during his...
Robert F. Smith
Robert F. Smith NONE Entrepreneur and philanthropist Robert F. Smith contributed insights to the book “Lead Boldly: Seven Principles from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” Robert F. Smith is a philanthrop...
Michelle Cliff
Michelle Cliff 0000000110018763 Michelle Carla Cliff (1946-2016) was a renowned Jamaican-American author known for her explorations of colonialism and racism through novels, short stories, and poetry...
Chinelo Okparanta
Chinelo Okparanta 0000000409874206 Nigerian-born author, Chinelo Okparanta, is an accomplished educator and writer with degrees from Pennsylvania State, Rutgers University, and the Iowa Writers' Work...
Thulani Davis
Thulani Davis 0000000001538348 Thulani Davis is an interdisciplinary scholar and writer, with focus on black political thought, slavery, and African American literature. She's a recipient of numerous...
Vladimir Lucien
Vladimir Lucien NONE Vladimir Lucien is an award-winning St. Lucian writer, known for his published works in notable journals and anthologies. His accolades include the Small Axe Prize 2013 and the O...
William Demby
William Demby 000000011041394X William Demby was a prominent author born on December 25, 1922, and passed away on May 23, 2013. William Demby (December 25, 1922 – May 23, 2013) was an African-A...
Armand Anthony Gonzalzles
Armand Anthony Gonzalzles NONE Armand Anthony Gonzalzles, a Chicago native, is an education and biology graduate turned medical professional. After a successful teaching career, he attended Loyola St...
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...
Kim Jones
Kim Jones 0000000385386573 Kimberly Jones, an educator at Lawton Public Schools since 1998, is committed to community improvement. She has initiated numerous programs including “The Colors of Life,” ...
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 ...
Denisha Jones and Jesse Hagopian
Denisha Jones and Jesse Hagopian MULTIPLE Denisha Jones, a member of the national Black Lives Matter at School committee, is an activist and advocate for education justice. She is the Director of the...
Sharna Jackson
Sharna Jackson NONE Sharna Jackson, an award-winning author known for her middle-grade series High Rise Mystery and Tate Kids Activity books. Recognized as a Rising Star in 2013, she won the Watersto...
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...
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...
James Ransome
James Ransome 0000000030399412 James E. Ransome is an award-winning illustrator known for his children's books. His accolades include the Coretta Scott King Award, IBBY Honor Award, and NAACP Image A...
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 ...
J. Everett Prewitt
J. Everett Prewitt NONE J. Everett Prewitt, a distinguished alumnus and Vietnam veteran, has received numerous awards for his novels, including “Snake Walkers” and “A Long Way Back.” His works have b...
Tina Andrews
Tina Andrews 0000000003084191 Tina Andrews, an award-winning writer, producer and director, is known for her book “Sally Hemings An American Scandal”, which won the NAACP Image Award and the Memphis ...
Chinua Achebe
Chinua Achebe 0000000122774961 The novelist Chinua Achebe (November 16, 1930 — March 21, 2013), a fine stylish and an astute social critic, is one of the best-known African writers in the ...
Harvey Stein, Herb Boyd, and Miss Rosen
Harvey Stein, Herb Boyd, and Miss Rosen MULTIPLE Harvey Stein, Herb Boyd, and Miss Rosen are renowned authors. Stein, captured during a book signing at Rizzoli Bookstore in 2013, collaborates with Bo...
Craig Robinson
Craig Robinson 0000000078127942 Craig Phillip Robinson, born October 25, 1971, is a renowned actor, comedian, and singer, most recognized for his nine-year role as Darryl Philbin on The Office (2005-...
Zoe Johnson
Zoe Johnson NONE Comedy writer and stand-up Zoe Johnson started creating characters at 8. At William & Mary, she brought her humor to the student paper; she now trains at Upright Citizens Brigade (UC...
Frederick K. Foote, Jr.
Frederick K. Foote, Jr. MULTIPLE Frederick K. Foote, Jr., born in Sacramento, California, experienced racial segregation in education before serving in the USAF. After retiring from the State of Cali...
Hannah Crafts
Hannah Crafts 0000000057115061 Hannah Bond, known as Hannah Crafts, was an African-American writer and ex-slave who escaped to the North and wrote The Bondwoman’s Narrative. Settling in New Jersey, B...
Albert Murray
Albert Murray 0000000083695821 Albert L. Murray (1916-2013) was a respected critic, novelist, and biographer. Born in Alabama, he divided his time between teaching and serving in the air force before...
D. H. Melhem
D. H. Melhem 0000000083589076 D.H. Melhem, real name Diana M. Vogel (1926-2013), was an esteemed American poet, novelist, and editor. D. H. Melhem is a pseudonym for Diana M. Vogel (1926 – 2013...
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela 0000000121447715 Nelson Mandela, born July 18, 1918, was South Africa's first black President from 1994-1999, and ANC party President from 1991-1997. After 27 years in prison, he was r...
Richard Kigel
Richard Kigel NONE Richard Kigel is an experienced literacy professional and veteran teacher with a focus on inspiring students in reading and writing. He is notable for his revealing article on Phil...
Abubakar Adam Ibrahim
Abubakar Adam Ibrahim 0000000458785840 Abubakar Adam Ibrahim is a renowned Nigerian writer and journalist, known for his novel 'Season of Crimson Blossoms' and short story collection 'The Whispering ...
Damon Meadows
Damon Meadows NONE Damon “Amin” Meadows, a South Philadelphia native and proud father, co-authored Convict's Candy during his federal prison sentence. He educates on prison life and emphasizes HIV/AI...
Megan Frazer Blakemore
Megan Frazer Blakemore NONE Megan Frazer Blakemore is a notable children's and young adults' author, known for her middle grade novels like “The Firefly Code” and “The Water Castle,” the latter being...
Tony Martin
Tony Martin 0000000064030680 Professor Tony Martin, born in Trinidad and Tobago (1942-2013), was a revered historian and author, known as the leading expert on Marcus Garvey. Alongside teaching Afric...
Johnie Jay
Johnie Jay NONE Author Johnie Jay, known for his passion, made a successful debut in 2013 with his novel, “Inevitable Act I” ranking #1 on Amazon's women fiction list. Recognized by Black Expressions...