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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...
Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu
Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu NONE Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu, born in 1977, is a Zimbabwean writer, filmmaker, and academic with a PhD from Stanford. She has published research on Saartjie Baartman and made the ...
Yewande Omotoso
Yewande Omotoso 0000000369299533 Yewande Omotoso, born in Barbados and raised in Nigeria, is an award-winning author and architect based in Johannesburg. She moved to South Africa in 1992 and has sin...
E. C. Osondu
E. C. Osondu NONE E.C. Osondu is a renowned Nigerian author and English professor at Providence College. Known for his short stories, he won the 2009 Caine Prize for African Writing. His debut collec...
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 ...
JaNay Brown-Wood
JaNay Brown-Wood NONE JaNay Brown-Wood is a celebrated children's author and educator, known for her award-winning book, “Imani's Moon.” She teaches as an ECE professor at American River College and ...
Unathi Slasha
Unathi Slasha 0000000500092539 Unathi Slasha is a South African writer and literary scholar from Despatch, Port Elizabeth, known for reimagining and subverting Nguni folklore. He describes his work ...
Lisa Watson
Lisa Watson NONE Lisa Watson is a national bestselling author based in Washington D.C., known for her work in diverse romance genres. Her debut novel was nominated for Best Contemporary Fiction, and ...
Sue Nyathi
Sue Nyathi 0000000382489964 Sukoluhle “Sue” Nyathi was born, bred, and buttered in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and now resides in South Africa. She describes herself as an analyst by profession and a writer...
Lola Jaye
Lola Jaye NONE Lola Jaye, a London-born author, published her first U.S. novel in 2009. Her journey from foster child to author was shared in her 2009 essay, part of the U.K.'s Quick Reads program. L...
Reality Way
Reality Way NONE Reality Way, a Queens-born author, faced several life obstacles leading him to prison. It was there he developed a passion for writing, leading to his first published work, “Young Go...
Robyn Williams
Robyn Williams 0000000495543330 Robyn Williams is a bestselling author known for her romantic suspense novels. Her works, celebrated by actresses Angela Bassett and Vanessa Williams, have been featur...
Malou Beauvoir
Malou Beauvoir NONE “The spirits that carried us across oceans still walk beside us today — and it’s time our children knew their names.” Malou Beauvoir is a Haitian-American, award-winning singe...
Patricia C. Mckissack
Patricia C. Mckissack 0000000108593937 Patricia L'Ann Carwell McKissack (1944-2017) was a renowned children's author who wrote over 100 books highlighting African American history and Southern folklo...
Victor S. Navasky
Victor S. Navasky 0000000110768695 Victor Saul Navasky, a former editor of The Nation and The New York Times Magazine, founded Monocle and authored award-winning books including Naming Names and A Ma...
Nina Revoyr
Nina Revoyr 0000000004707741 Nina Revoyr, a Japanese-American author of five novels, is known for her remarkable storytelling. Born in Japan and raised in Tokyo, Wisconsin, and Los Angeles, she's co-...
Addie Boswell
Addie Boswell NONE Addie Boswell, a Portland-based author and muralist, is known for her award-winning book, The Rain Stomper. Her works include Go, Bikes, Go!, Go, Planes, Go!, The Snow Dancer, and ...
Nia Damali
Nia Damali NONE Nia Damali, owner of Medu Bookstore and a prominent figure in the Black Book Ecosystem, is dedicated to promoting literacy and knowledge within the Black community. Editor of historic...
Stacy Spikes
Stacy Spikes NONE Stacy Spikes, co-founder of MoviePass and founder of Urbanworld Film Festival, is an award-winning entrepreneur and former film marketing executive. Recognized as one of the most in...
Joy M. Copeland
Joy M. Copeland NONE Joy M. Copeland, a Harlem-born author with a diverse career in government and business, now focuses on her writing. Notably, she has written two novels and several horror and cri...
Autumn J. Bright
Autumn J. Bright NONE Autumn J. Bright is an acclaimed American fiction writer, known for her debut novel 'Love Sick'. She enjoys family time in Charleston, SC and travelling when not creating recomm...
Tiffany M. Davis
Tiffany M. Davis NONE Tiffany M. Davis, a self-proclaimed wordsmith, is known for her novel “Sandtrap” and her work with Aalize.com and BlackWords, Inc. She's also contributed to “Malaria Shots Not I...
Carl Patterson
Carl Patterson NONE Carl Patterson started writing at 45, inspired by his late wife's positive outlook on life. Initially a poet, he transitioned into novel-writing upon her suggestion. His works, in...
We Need Diverse Books
We Need Diverse Books NONE We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) began in April 2014 as the viral #WeNeedDiverseBooks hashtag, bringing together writers, illustrators, publishers, educators, and readers seek...
Dorothy Koomson
Dorothy Koomson 0000000122756528 Dorothy Koomson, a London-born novelist, started her writing journey at 13. After studying in Leeds and London, she began her career in women's magazines and national...
Cydney Rax
Cydney Rax NONE Cydney Rax, an influential author known for her provocative love triangle novels, has been passionate about books since childhood. Her debut novel, My Daughter's Boyfriend, sparked co...
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...
Lawrence Hill
Lawrence Hill 0000000073673418 Lawrence Hill is a renowned Canadian author and professor of creative writing at the University of Guelph. Known for his award-winning novel, “The Book of Negroes”, whi...
Glenville Lovell
Glenville Lovell 0000000078667420 Glenville Obrian Lovell, an acclaimed author of novels, short stories, and award-winning plays. Known for his novels “Fire in the Canes,” “Song of Night,” and myster...
Terry McMillan
Terry McMillan 000000011827688X Terry McMillan, born in 1951, is a celebrated author and screenwriter known for her novels, four of which have been adapted into films. She fell in love with books as ...
Marilyn Tyner
Marilyn Tyner NONE Marilyn Tyner (1943-2014) was an author from Pittsburgh, PA. An avid reader, Tyner attended Howard University studying psychology and zoology, and worked on the college literary ma...
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...
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 ...
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 ...
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...
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...
E. N. Joy
E. N. Joy NONE BLESSEDselling Author E.N. Joy, previously known as Joylynn M. Jossel, is an Essence Magazine Bestselling Author known for her “Soap Operas in Print” Divas series. The author, who has ...
Barbara Neely
Barbara Neely 0000000008613515 Barbara Neely (1941-), the only African American in her Pennsylvania school, moved to Pittsburgh in 1971 and earned a Master's in Urban and Regional Planning. She publi...
Nicola Yoon
Nicola Yoon 0000000445354582 Nicola Yoon, a #1 New York Times Bestselling Author known for her debut novel, 'Everything, Everything', is a proud member of We Need Diverse Books team. Residing in Los ...
Chrystal D. Giles
Chrystal D. Giles NONE Chrystal D. Giles is a renowned children's author promoting diversity. Her debut, Take Back the Block, garnered multiple accolades. A 2018 We Need Diverse Books mentee, she has...
Debra Owsley
Debra Owsley NONE Debra Owsley, avid reader and hairstylist, transformed her passion into a business, Simply Said Reading Accessories and LitVersation. She collaborates with bestselling authors, book...
Caroline Randall Williams
Caroline Randall Williams 0000000371378337 Caroline Randall Williams, born in 1987, is a multi-genre writer and educator based in Nashville, Tennessee. She's well-recognized for her award-winning wor...
Jacquie Bamberg Moore
Jacquie Bamberg Moore NONE Jacquie Bamberg Moore is a self-published author and active autism advocate. Known for her debut novel, “All I Need,” and contribution to “Twilight Moods,” she also reviews...
Delaney Diamond
Delaney Diamond NONE Delaney Diamond, a USA Today Bestselling author, pens sweet and passionate romance novels. Originally from the U.S. Virgin Islands, she now resides in Atlanta, Georgia. Apart fro...
Faith Knight
Faith Knight NONE Faith Knight also writes under the pen names FM Knight and Tanzy Kohl. She writes contemporary and historical fiction for adults and teens. Faith Knight is an author, wife, and moth...
Darius Myers
Darius Myers NONE Darius Myers, a NYC-based fiction writer and former senior executive in media, is known for his thrilling Black Camelot series, praised for its intriguing plot and compelling charac...
Pat Tucker
Pat Tucker NONE Pat Tucker Wilson is a radio news director, award-winning journalist, and prolific writer with over 15 years of media experience. Known for her engaging storytelling, Wilson has worke...
Booker T. Mattison
Booker T. Mattison NONE Booker T. Mattison is an author and filmmaker who wrote the screenplay for and directed the film adaptation of Zora Neale Hurston's classic story "The Gi...
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 ...
Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah 0000000120268301 Queen Latifah, born Dana Elaine Owens, is a renowned rapper, singer, actor, TV and record producer. Known as the “First Lady of Hip-Hop,” she released her debut album i...
Michelle Lindo-Rice
Michelle Lindo-Rice NONE Michelle Lindo-Rice, bestselling author of the 'Able to Love' and 'On the Right Path' series, focuses on themes of faith, friendship, family, and forgiveness. She was nominat...
Lamar Giles
Lamar Giles 0000000514184709 L.R. Giles is a renowned author and speaker from Virginia, known for his commitment to diversity in publishing. A founding member of We Need Diverse Books, Giles made his...
Tracy K. Smith
Tracy K. Smith 0000000049042106 Smith was U.S. Poet Laureate, 2017-2019 Tracy K. Smith, born 1972, is a Pulitzer-winning poet and educator. She has published three poetry collections and teaches creat...
Jewell Parker Rhodes
Jewell Parker Rhodes 0000000120252879 Jewell’s New Book Will’s Race for Home Debuted at #6 on the NY Times Bestsellers List! Jewell Parker Rhodes is an esteemed author and artistic directo...
Tu-Shonda L. Whitaker
Tu-Shonda L. Whitaker NONE Tu-Shonda L. Whitaker is an award-winning, bestselling author known for her works such as “Flipside of the Game” and “Game Over.” She's contributed to anthologies and has e...
Ronda Racha Penrice
Ronda Racha Penrice NONE Ronda Racha Penrice, an expert in African American history and culture, studied at Columbia University and NYU, focusing on African American literature. She contributed to Th...
Alexis E. Jackson
Alexis E. Jackson NONE Alexis E. Jackson is an emerging professional in publishing, known for her poetry and unique book reviews on Goodreads. With a passion for genre-bending literature and diverse ...
Tracy Deonn
Tracy Deonn NONE Tracy Deonn, a North Carolina-based writer and fangirl, combines her love for fantasy and Southern culture in her works. With a master's degree from UNC Chapel Hill, she has experien...
Jacqueline Alcantara
Jacqueline Alcantara NONE Jacqueline Alcántara is a freelance illustrator specializing in children’s literature. After teaching art and photography, she pursued projects featuring diverse main chara...
Leslie Esdaile Banks
Leslie Esdaile Banks 000000011916277X Essence Magazine named Ms. Banks “Storyteller of the Year” Leslie Ann Peterson Esdaile Banks (December 11, 1959 - August 2, 2011) Ms Banks has w...
Cheslie Kryst
Cheslie Kryst NONE Cheslie Kryst was and attorney, former Miss USA. and News Correspondent. She died by suicide and her story was told in the award-winning book, By the Time You Read This: The Space...
Kelly J. Baptist
Kelly J. Baptist NONE Kelly J. Baptist's work resonates deeply with readers because she crafts authentic, relatable characters who navigate difficult circumstances with heart and hope. Her storytelli...
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...
Claribel A. Ortega
Claribel A. Ortega NONE Claribel A. Ortega is a New York Times Bestselling author known for her debut novel Ghost Squad, which won multiple awards and is being made into a film. She co-hosts the Bad ...
Kwame Alexander
Kwame Alexander 0000000042691031 “He truly is a renaissance man.”—Nikki Giovanni Kwame Alexander is a bestselling author, poet, and educator, known for his award-winning book “The Cr...
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...
R. Eric Thomas
R. Eric Thomas NONE R. Eric Thomas is the bestselling author of Here for It, a Read with Jenna book club pick featured on Today and a Lambda Literary Award finalist. He is the co-author of Reclaimin...
Jayne Moore Waldrop
Jayne Moore Waldrop NONE Jayne Moore Waldrop is a writer and attorney who loves telling stories about her native western Kentucky. She is the author of A Journey in Color: The Art of Ellis Wilson (S...
L.S. Stratton
L.S. Stratton NONE L.S. Stratton, an award-nominated author and ex-crime reporter, has penned over a dozen books across various genres. Based in Maryland, she enjoys life with her family and pet cat....
Renée Watson
Renée Watson 0000000060818307 Renée Watson, acclaimed author of young adult and children's literature, uses art to help youth deal with trauma and discuss social issues. Known for her book “This Side...
Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich 0000000062308116 Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich is a children's book author with notable works like 8th Grade Superzero, Two Naomis, and more. A member of the Brown Books...
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 ...
Delores Lowe Friedman
Delores Lowe Friedman NONE Brooklyn-born Delores Lowe Friedman, a retired professor from the City University of New York, is an advocate for literacy and equity in education. She's authored education...
Dhonielle Clayton
Dhonielle Clayton 0000000449631049 Dhonielle Clayton, co-author of the Tiny Pretty Things series and co-founder of CAKE Literary, is a former teacher and librarian. Passionate about diverse literatur...
Bill Cosby
Bill Cosby 0000000107880184 “Far From Finished” Born on July 12, 1937, Bill Cosby is an influential comedian, actor, and philanthropist. He and his wife, Camille, have four daughters, all ...
Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby 0000000116918041 Jack Kirby, born Jacob Kurtzberg (1917-1994), was an influential American comic book artist, writer, and editor. Notably known for his creation of Captain America and co-c...
Andrew P. Jackson
Andrew P. Jackson 0000000045924849 Andrew P. Jackson (Sekou Molefi Baako) served as Executive Director of Queens Library’s Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center in New York from 1980...
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...
Yusef Komunyakaa
Yusef Komunyakaa 000000011440862X Yusef Komunyakaa the first African American male to win the Pulitzer Prize for poetry Yusef Komunyakaa, born on April 29, 1947, is a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet recog...
Mz. Lady P and Lucinda John
Mz. Lady P and Lucinda John MULTIPLE Mz. Lady P and Lucinda John are accomplished authors, renowned for their captivating narratives and profound insights. Their work spans various genres, offering e...
Thumper
Thumper 000000011496815X Thumper Unveiled? Not Quite Yet by Leah Mullen For as long as I’ve been writing about the publishing industry, interviewing authors, editors, publicity people and o...
Dane Reid
Dane Reid NONE Dane Reid is a professional African American male voiceover talent who offers voiceover and commercial production services for brands, agencies, and producers seeking high-quality voi...
Mphuthumi Ntabeni
Mphuthumi Ntabeni NONE Mphuthumi Ntabeni is a South African author who lives in Cape Town. He is trained in the economics of the built environment. Mphuthumi Ntabeni is a South African author who liv...
Arthur Herzog, Jr.
Arthur Herzog, Jr. MULTIPLE Arthur Herzog, Jr., a songwriter, has penned a number of songs performed and recorded by top jazz musicians including John Coltrane and Dinah Washington. His most notable ...
Tonya Abari
Tonya Abari NONE Tonya Abari is a multigenre storyteller. She is the author of many celebrated books for children, including Locs, Not Dreads; Let’s Celebrate Juneteenth; and My Hair, My Crown. T...
Sophfronia Scott
Sophfronia Scott NONE Sophfronia Scott, a Harvard and Vermont College alumnus, is a renowned writer and former editor at Time and People magazines. Her first novel, published in 2004, was hailed as e...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Rondall Brasher
Rondall Brasher NONE Rondall Brasher is a passionate poet with a love for words that spans over three decades. Inspired by great names such as Dr. Seuss and Kahlil Gibran, he seeks to express his sub...
Jonathan Burke
Jonathan Burke 0000000107799650 Nigerian-born author Jonathan Burke, now residing in Jamaica, finds inspiration in childhood stories from his English mother. A lover of nature and adventure, he cites...
Leye Adenle
Leye Adenle 000000045959996X Leye Adenle, a Nigerian author based in London, is a Prix Marianne winner and agile coach. He has numerous short stories and satirical pieces to his credit, appearing in ...
Enrique A. Laguerre
Enrique A. Laguerre 0000000110772440 Enrique Arturo Laguerre Velz, born in Puerto Rico in 1906, was a respected teacher, critic, and prolific author known for his works on colonized society. An award...
Patrick Girouard
Patrick Girouard NONE Patrick Girouard is a versatile artist, known for his original work ranging from corporate logos to city bus designs. With over 100 children's books under his belt, including aw...
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...
Colson Whitehead
Colson Whitehead 0000000109128041 Congrats to Colson Whitehead: Winner 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction Colson Whitehead, born in 1969, is an acclaimed writer who began his career at the Village Voice....
Mercuries Ryzen
Mercuries Ryzen NONE Mercuries Ryzen, a Brooklyn-born author, psychologist, and professional counselor, uses comedy and writing as emotional outlets. She holds degrees in Psychology and Professional ...
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...