AALBC Search
Laureen Cantwell and Leonard Gill
Laureen Cantwell and Leonard Gill MULTIPLE Laureen P. Cantwell, a former librarian at the University of Memphis, loved the city's dark side and Elvis. Leonard Gill, a Memphis native, writes for the M...
Miriam Decosta-Willis
Miriam Decosta-Willis 0000000033083659 Dr. Miriam DeCosta-Willis is a renowned academic, holding degrees from Johns Hopkins and Wellesley College. She made history as the first African American facul...
Ron Kavanaugh
Ron Kavanaugh NONE Ron Kavanaugh is a literary activist who founded Mosaic Books and the Literary Freedom Project (LFP), a non-profit supporting the literary arts. Through LFP, he launched Mosaic Lit...
Eric Jerome Dickey
Eric Jerome Dickey 0000000063940201 Born and raised in Memphis, TN, the author graduated from the University of Memphis and worked various jobs before becoming a stand-up comedian and actor. He's als...
Arthur R. Flowers
Arthur R. Flowers NONE Arthur Flowers, a Vietnam veteran, blues singer, and Memphis native, is a co-founder of the New Renaissance Writer's Guild and a notable performance poet. He teaches at Syracus...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
Kisha Green
Kisha Green NONE Kisha Green is a multi-talented literary consultant and promoter dedicated to turning authors' dreams into published realities. Since 2006, she's written novels, hosted award-winning...
Jacqueline Johnson
Jacqueline Johnson NONE Jacqueline Johnson is a multi-disciplined artist and award-winning author known for her work in writing and fiber arts. She has taught poetry at multiple institutions and has ...
Chiquita Mullins Lee
Chiquita Mullins Lee NONE Chiquita Mullins Lee is an Arts Learning coordinator at the Ohio Arts Council, managing poetry and arts programs. A former creative writing teacher, she hosted an Emmy-winni...
Kadija Sesay
Kadija Sesay NONE Kadija George is a renowned literary activist, poet, and publisher of Sierra Leonean descent. She's known for her debut poetry collection, Irki, and has edited numerous anthologies....
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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...
Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Dolen Perkins-Valdez 0000000074479879 Dolen Perkins-Valdez, a Memphis-born novelist, is renowned for her New York Times bestselling novel 'Wench.' A Harvard graduate and former University of Californ...
Avery Cunningham
Avery Cunningham NONE Avery Cunningham, a Memphis native and DePaul University graduate, has over a decade of editorial experience. Her work focuses on historical fiction exploring themes of segregat...
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...
Freddi Williams Evans
Freddi Williams Evans 0000000034100692 Freddi Williams Evans is an award-winning author and former arts educator. She's recognized for her book “Congo Square: African Roots in New Orleans” and her ad...
Lasana D. Kazembe
Lasana D. Kazembe NONE Dr. Lasana D. Kazembe, a Chicago-native scholar, specializes in Urban Education, Global Black Arts Movements, and the Black Intellectual Tradition. He explores Culturally Susta...
Laban Carrick Hill
Laban Carrick Hill NONE Laban Carrick Hill (1960 – 2021) has written two young adult novels: A Brush with Napoleon, based on the life of the French Romantic painter David, and Casa Azul, based...
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 ...
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 ...
Parker-Nia Gordon
Parker-Nia Gordon NONE Parker-Nia Gordon grew up in the musical city of Memphis, Tennessee, home of rhythm and blues. She earned her BFA from Ringling College of Art and Design before returning to M...
Frank A. Thomas
Frank A. Thomas NONE Frank A. Thomas is a professor at Christian Theological Seminary and CEO of Hope For Life International. He served as senior pastor in Illinois and Tennessee. Thomas holds multip...
Christopher D. Burns
Christopher D. Burns NONE Christopher D. Burns, from Memphis, served in the US Navy as an electrician before becoming a QA analyst and basketball coach. He wrote his first book after an injury halted...
Katori Hall
Katori Hall 0000000071268953 Katori Hall, a renowned playwright from Memphis, is best known for her Olivier Award-winning play, The Mountaintop. Other works include Hurt Village, Hoodoo Love, and The...
Tara M. Stringfellow
Tara M. Stringfellow NONE Tara M. Stringfellow, a poet and former attorney, is a Northwestern University MFA graduate and Fulbright Fellowship semifinalist. She's written for numerous publications an...
Walter Greason and Danian Darrell Jerry
Walter Greason and Danian Darrell Jerry MULTIPLE Walter Greason, Ph.D. is a renowned US historian, educator, and urbanist with 30 years of speaking experience. Danian Darrell Jerry, MFA, is a writer,...
Dwight Fryer
Dwight Fryer NONE Dwight Fryer is an ordained Christian minister and accomplished author. A graduate of University of Memphis and Christian Brothers University, he has over 25 years experience in bus...
Saeed Jones
Saeed Jones 0000000365991477 Saeed Jones, award-winning author of 'Prelude to Bruise', is known for his work at BuzzFeed as an LGBT and Culture editor, as well as co-host of AM to DM. Born in Memphis...
Mel Watkins
Mel Watkins 0000000108515867 Mel Watkins, born in 1940, is an accomplished author and editor from Memphis. He made history as the first African-American editor at the Times Sunday Book Review. Watkin...
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...
Glodean Champion
Glodean Champion NONE Glodean Champion is a multifaceted artist, educator, and coach based in Monterey, CA. She is a published author, whose work explores themes of sexuality, gender, and African Ame...
Crystal Wilkinson
Crystal Wilkinson 0000000041499179 Crystal Wilkinson is an award-winning author known for novels like The Birds of Opulence and Blackberries, Blackberries. She has received recognition from instituti...
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...
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...
Phyllis R. Dixon
Phyllis R. Dixon NONE Phyllis R. Dixon, acclaimed author of notable works including Intermission and Down Home Blues, is a contributor to various publications. A graduate of the University of Wiscons...
Lindsey Stewart
Lindsey Stewart NONE Lindsey Stewart is a Black feminist philosopher and an Associate Professor of philosophy at the University of Memphis. She is the author of The Politics of Black Joy. Her work h...
M. Haynes
M. Haynes NONE M. Haynes, also known as “The Ratchedemic”, is a Memphis-born author, blogger, college instructor, and advocate for blackness. He started writing at age nine with his fantasy series, G...
Reginald Martin
Reginald Martin 0000000112973270 Dr. Reginald Martin, a prolific author and youngest full professor at University of Memphis at 35, holds five degrees including a Ph.D. in English. He founded Profess...
Chanelle Benz
Chanelle Benz 0000000498007138 Chanelle Benz is a recognized author, known for her short stories published in various outlets. She won the O. Henry Prize and her 2017 collection was hailed as one of ...
Johnathan Isom
Johnathan Isom NONE Johnathan Isom, a Memphis-based anesthesiologist, turned novelist, was driven to write a book he'd enjoy. Tired of deceit-focused contemporary fiction, he sought to create a diffe...
Kristen R. Lee
Kristen R. Lee NONE Kristen R. Lee, a Memphis native, is a college graduate turned author, known for her work, “Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman.” She's dedicated to mentoring foster...
Leah Freeman-Haskin
Leah Freeman-Haskin NONE Leah Freeman-Haskin is a debut children's book author, content creator, and founder of BLK Oceans, promoting Black-owned businesses. She resides in Memphis, Tennessee, with h...
Barbara A. Holmes
Barbara A. Holmes 0000000040028738 Barbara A. Holmes, president emerita of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, is a former professor and VP of academic affairs at Memphis Theological Semi...
Mildred D. Taylor
Mildred D. Taylor 0000000382722105 Mildred DeLois Taylor, born September 13, 1943, is a renowned author known for her award-winning novels like 'The Road to Memphis' and 'Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry...
Rick Malone
Rick Malone NONE Rick Malone, a senior communication specialist from Memphis, has 15+ years experience as an editor, writer, and consultant. Known for his work on race relations and diversity, Malone...
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...
Jennifer Baker
Jennifer Baker NONE Jennifer Baker is a publishing professional, host of the Minorities in Publishing podcast, and contributing editor to Electric Literature. She advocates for diversity in the indus...
Clarence V. Reynolds
Clarence V. Reynolds NONE Clarence V. Reynolds is an independent editor and journalist, former director of Literary Programs at the Center for Black Literature and editor-in-chief of the Killens Revi...
Hortense J. Spillers
Hortense J. Spillers 0000000037085221 Hortense J. Spillers, a distinguished professor at Cornell University, is a renowned literary critic. Her work over the past two decades has significantly contri...
DuEwa M. Frazier
DuEwa M. Frazier NONE DuEwa Frazier is an accomplished writer, educator, and poet, renowned for her literary contributions and educational initiatives. Born in Brooklyn and raised in St. Louis, she f...
Steve Cannon
Steve Cannon 0000000363821597 Steve Cannon (1935-2019) was a key figure in the Black Arts Movement and a prominent Black writer from New Orleans. He moved to NYC in 1962, where he engaged in literary...
James E. Cherry
James E. Cherry NONE James E. Cherry, founder of The Griot Collective of West Tennessee, is a devoted literary arts organizer and Artist in Residence for the Tennessee Arts Commission. He uses his cr...
Calvin C. Hernton
Calvin C. Hernton 0000000082664863 Calvin Coolidge Hernton, a pivotal figure in the Black Arts Movement, was a renowned poet, novelist, and social critic known for his exploration of race and sexuali...
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...
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-...
Shonda Buchanan
Shonda Buchanan 0000000500800611 Shonda Buchanan is an award-winning author and professor with over 15 years of teaching experience in various literary fields. She's an Education Specialist for the U...
Joanne C. Hillhouse
Joanne C. Hillhouse 0000000043655956 Joanne C. Hillhouse’s writing has been described as “honest”, “real”, “poetic”, and “lyrical”. Her Antiguan culture is at the heart of her writing: “Obvious is t...
Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor
Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor 0000000049060048 Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor is a renowned Kenyan writer, recognized for her contribution to literature and arts in Kenya. She won the 2003 Caine Prize for her story “...
Davida Siwisa James
Davida Siwisa James NONE Davida Siwisa James, a globe-trotting author with roots in Philly and Harlem, has experience as a freelance journalist and has several published works, including an award-win...
Willard Jenkins
Willard Jenkins 0000000114808113 Willard Jenkins, born in 1949, is an influential figure in jazz, serving as Artistic Director of the DC Jazz Festival, arts consultant, producer, educator, and journa...
William Byrd
William Byrd 0000000109367704 Dr. William “Super” Byrd, a Newark native, is an acclaimed author and educator specializing in Sports Education. A holder of multiple degrees and professional licenses, ...
Colin Channer
Colin Channer 0000000066632589 Colin Channer, born in Jamaica, is a celebrated author and editor known for his poetry collection 'Providential' and bestselling novel 'Waiting in Vain'. He's also the ...
Askia M. Toure
Askia M. Toure 0000000043979889 Askia Muhammad Touré, born Rolland Snellings in 1938, is a renowned poet, essayist, and political editor associated with the Black Arts Movement. He has served as edi...
Charnelle Pinkney Barlow
Charnelle Pinkney Barlow NONE Charnelle Pinkney Barlow, a talented illustrator from Poughkeepsie, NY, studied at the University of the Arts and School of Visual Arts. Granddaughter of renowned childr...
Evelyn Collins
Evelyn Collins NONE Dr. Evelyn Collins is a renowned luminary in theater, African American history, and arts education with over 35 years of experience. As CEO of Onyx Production Company and the forc...
Maggie Smith
Maggie Smith 0000000109631675 Maggie Smith is the award-winning New York Times bestselling author of nine books of poetry and prose, including A Suit or a Suitcase, Dear Writer, You Could Make This ...
Danielle Legros Georges
Danielle Legros Georges NONE Danielle Legros Georges, a professor at Lesley University, is a renowned writer and poet with interests in arts, education, American and African-American poetry, Caribbea...
Kelly Harris-DeBerry
Kelly Harris-DeBerry NONE Kelly Harris-DeBerry is an award-winning poet and the author of Freedom Knows My Name. Known for her gift to bring poems to life by using her voice as an instrument, audienc...
Patricia Spears Jones
Patricia Spears Jones 0000000031494569 Patricia Spears Jones, born in Arkansas, is the 2024 New York State Poet Laureate, a Jackson Poetry Prize laureate, and a cultural activist. An esteemed poet, p...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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 ...
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...
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...
Sheree Renée Thomas
Sheree Renée Thomas 0000000019174343 Sheree R. Thomas is a multi-talented writer, editor, publisher, educator, and visual artist. She co-publishes the literary journal Anansi and founded Wanganegress...
Trisha R. Thomas
Trisha R. Thomas 0000000019527831 Trisha R. Thomas, an award-winning author of literary fiction and former Language Arts teacher, is recognized for her outstanding work by the NAACP and the Black Wri...
Cris Freese
Cris Freese NONE Cris Freese is a technical editor, writer, and literary intern for Corvisiero Literary Agency. He was previously the managing editor of Writer’s Digest Books, where he worked with no...
Kasi Lemmons
Kasi Lemmons 0000000118746394 Karen “Kasi” Lemmons is a celebrated actress, writer, and director, known for roles in films like “Silence of the Lambs”, and for directing the highest-grossing independ...
Jayne Cortez
Jayne Cortez 0000000080983190 Jayne Cortez (1936-2012) was a celebrated poet and performance artist, known for her political and surrealistic lyricism. She authored eleven books of poetry and present...
Mai Sennaar
Mai Sennaar NONE Mai Sennaar is a graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. The Smithsonian Affiliate Museum of the African Diaspora, the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, and the Class...
Justin Phillip Reed
Justin Phillip Reed 0000000497688533 Justin Phillip Reed is a South Carolina-born author, known for his work in various publications and his MFA in poetry from Washington University. Recognized for h...
Thomas Glave
Thomas Glave NONE Bronx-born author Thomas Glave, educated at Bowdoin College and Brown University, is recognized for his contribution to LGBT literature. A Fulbright Scholar, he co-founded Jamaica's...
Ruth Forman
Ruth Forman NONE Ruth Forman is an award-winning author of three books and a recipient of multiple literary awards. She's a former faculty member at USC and UC Berkeley, providing writing workshops a...
Kim Coleman Foote
Kim Coleman Foote NONE Meet Kim Coleman Foote on Tour Kim Coleman Foote is an award-winning author from New Jersey recognized for her contributions in anthologies and literary reviews. She's earned mu...
Elizabeth Nunez
Elizabeth Nunez 0000000080832288 Elizabeth Nunez, a Trinidad-born, award-winning author, wrote ten novels and a memoir, with several recognized by the New York Times and Oprah's book club. Her works,...
Regina Brooks
Regina Brooks NONE Regina Brooks, founder and president of Serendipity Literary Agency LLC, combines expertise in engineering and literature with over a decade in senior publishing roles. A Howard Un...
Sarah Bird
Sarah Bird 000000011726115X Sarah Bird, acclaimed author of ten novels, is recognized for her literary contributions through awards like Texas Writer of the Year and the Texas Institute of Letters Li...
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...