AALBC Search
Blanche Richardson
Blanche Richardson NONE Blanche Richardson, a seasoned book editor and manager of Marcus Books, one of the oldest African American owned bookstores in the US, has contributed significantly to literat...
Lauren Lacey
Lauren Lacey NONE Lauren Lacey, an indie Romance author and digital strategist, has optimized global brands including PwC. She's the former marketing lead for Mastercard and AMEX gift cards, and a Fo...
Robin DiAngelo
Robin DiAngelo 0000000043595922 DiAngelo Actively Supports Black-Owned Bookstores Robin DiAngelo, PhD, is a seasoned academic, author, and lecturer specializing in racial and social justice. She has o...
Char Adams
Char Adams NONE Char Adams is a reporter for NBC News' BLK, specializing in race, gender, and class issues. She has covered a wide range of topics, with her work featured in major publications includ...
David Ruggles
David Ruggles 0000000078894447 David Ruggles was a pioneer in black activism, journalism, and entrepreneurship in the 1800s. He led 600+ slaves to freedom, including Frederick Douglass, and owned the...
Albert B. Cleage, Jr.
Albert B. Cleage, Jr. MULTIPLE Albert B. Cleage Jr., also known as Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman, was a Black nationalist Christian minister, author, and political organizer. He founded the Shrine of the Bl...
Leah Johnson
Leah Johnson NONE Leah Johnson, a Midwestern writer and editor, is a graduate of Indiana University and Sarah Lawrence College. She teaches writing, authored her first novel in 2021, and owns Loudmou...
Simba Sana
Simba Sana NONE Simba Sana overcame hardships in Washington, D.C. to graduate with degrees in Accounting, Business and Finance, and African Studies. He left his auditing job to join Karibu Books, gro...
Victoria Scott-Miller
Victoria Scott-Miller NONE Victoria Scott-Miller is an acclaimed entrepreneur, author, and owner of North Carolina's first black-owned children's bookstore. She's notable for creating 'The Museum Liv...
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...
George E. Johnson with Hillary Beard
George E. Johnson with Hillary Beard MULTIPLE George Ellis Johnson Sr. (born June 12, 1927) is the founder of the Johnson Products Company, the maker of Ultra Sheen and Afro Sheen, the first Black-o...
George E. Johnson
George E. Johnson NONE George Ellis Johnson Sr. (born June 12, 1927) is the founder of the Johnson Products Company, the maker of Ultra Sheen and Afro Sheen, the first Black-owned company to trade o...
Noel Hankin
Noel Hankin NONE Noel Hankin, founder of The Best of Friends, Inc., pioneered disco nightlife in NYC, paving the way for the disco explosion of the '70s. A retired executive from Moët Hennessy USA a...
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 ...
Seina Wedlick
Seina Wedlick NONE Seina Wedlick is an avid reader and writer, often found exploring or at the beach with her family. She loves pairing books with snacks, visiting bookstores, and collecting postcard...
Stacey Lyn Evans
Stacey Lyn Evans NONE Stacey Lyn Evans, a renowned author and poet, has written for stage and TV, and performed her poetry nationwide. Her book REAL SOUL FOOD has made its way into major bookstores a...
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...
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...
J.B. Vample
J.B. Vample NONE J.B. Vample is an acclaimed author known for her New Adult fiction series, The College Life Series. She published her debut novel, College Life 101: Freshman Orientation, in 2015 and...
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...
Eryka Parker
Eryka Parker NONE Eryka is the moderator of AALBC’s Black Don’t Crack… Book Spines book club. Eryka Parker is an award-winning book coach and developmental editor who assists diverse writers in storyt...
Publishers Weekly’s Booklife
Publishers Weekly’s Booklife NONE Booklife by Publishers Weekly offers expert guidance to indie authors, leveraging its vast experience and credibility in the publishing industry to help them reach t...
Ran Walker
Ran Walker NONE Ran Walker, award-winning author of 30 books and 2019 Indie Author of the Year, teaches creative writing at Hampton University. He lives in Virginia with his family. Connect with him ...
Joe McClean
Joe McClean NONE Joe McClean is a screenwriter and director whose 2013 breakout indie feature, Life Tracker, screened at dozens of film festivals and sci-fi conventions before streaming On Demand in...
Steven Todd Fisher
Steven Todd Fisher NONE Ayna Rayne is an award-nominated, genre-defying author who captivates readers with her experimental storytelling. She blends elements of romance, drama, mystery, philosophy, a...
Ashley Woodfolk
Ashley Woodfolk 0000000496787003 Ashley Woodfolk, a Rutgers University graduate and passionate book lover, works in the publishing industry and serves on the CBC Diversity Committee. She writes emoti...
Tumika Patrice Cain
Tumika Patrice Cain NONE Tumika Patrice Cain is an award-winning author and media personality, known for her work in women's contemporary fiction and poetry. She's a champion for indie authors, a res...
Christopher M. Rutledge
Christopher M. Rutledge NONE Chris M. Rutledge is a versatile writer and indie filmmaker, best known for his crime dramas and suspense thrillers. With a career spanning from 1997, he made his authori...
Winnifred Tataw
Winnifred Tataw NONE Winnifred “Winnie” Tataw is an artist, entrepreneur, and author of the debut series: The Gods’ Scion. A lifelong lover of literature and art, Winnie launched Win’s Books LLC to s...
Brittney Bond
Brittney Bond NONE Brittney Bond, a self-taught digital artist from Florida, now based in Maryland, is known for her use of appealing color palettes and magical themes in her work. Inspired by childr...
Tamara Mayo
Tamara Mayo NONE Tamara Mayo, a Virginia-native author, developed her love for reading at a young age. She moved to California at 19, where she pursued a writing career including ghostwriting and edi...
Michael La Ronn
Michael La Ronn NONE Michael La Ronn is a prolific author in science fiction, fantasy, and self-help genres for writers. Renowned for his Decision Select and Magic Trackers series, he's been publishi...
De’Andre Salter
De’Andre Salter NONE De'Andre Salter is a prominent Black executive, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, author, and bishop. He's celebrated for his 19-year insurance career and building the world's ...
The Black Dot
The Black Dot NONE The Black Dot is renowned for his insight into the metaphysical aspects of Hip Hop, contributing to various media outlets and authoring the game-changing book, “Hip Hop Decoded.” A...
Terrie Williams
Terrie Williams 0000000117447093 The Terrie Williams Agency, The Premiere Black-Owned PR Firm, is Closing Terrie M. Williams is a social worker by training. She is a public relations professional by ...
Isis Asare
Isis Asare NONE Isis Asare is the CEO/Founder of Sistah Scifi, the first Black-owned US bookstore focused on science fiction and fantasy in the US. She also serves as Exec. Director of Aunt Lute Book...
Eddie C. Brown
Eddie C. Brown 0000000119429622 Eddie Carl Brown, born in 1940, is a renowned investment manager and founder of Brown Capital Management. Recognized as a pioneer of minority-owned investment firms, h...
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...
Tavis Smiley
Tavis Smiley 0000000110310916 Tavis Smiley, a prominent African-American voice, is a renowned host and political commentator. Known for his work on BET Tonight and The Tom Joyner Morning Show, he is ...
Mellody Hobson
Mellody Hobson NONE Mellody Hobson is co-CEO and president of Ariel Investments, the first African American-owned mutual fund company in the United States. Priceless Facts about Money was her first c...
Herman Malone
Herman Malone NONE Herman Malone, a successful African American entrepreneur, established RMES Communications Inc. in Denver after being forced to leave his hometown in 1969. His company became US We...
Willis Nathaniel Huggins
Willis Nathaniel Huggins 0000000064958315 Willis Nathaniel Huggins, Ph.D. (1886-1940) was a renowned historian, activist, and mentor. He owned the Blyden Bookstore in Harlem and was a key member of t...
Marcus Dewan Williams
Marcus Dewan Williams NONE Marcus Dewan Williams, more than just the owner of Nubian Books bookstore, is an active advocate for African and African-American culture and education. As a publisher and ...
Janks Morton
Janks Morton NONE Janks Morton is a filmmaker, author, activist, director, producer, editor, and cinematographer. Morton is the founder and CEO of iYAGO Entertainment Group, an independently owne...
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...
Velma Maia Thomas
Velma Maia Thomas NONE Velma Maia Thomas is an award-winning author known for her nonfiction books on African American history. She is also the creator of the Black Holocaust Exhibit. With degrees fr...
Angle S. Bush
Angle S. Bush NONE Angle S. Bush, an author, poet, and motivational speaker from Michigan, is known for her books “When I Cease to Exist” and “Soul of a Woman” aimed at fostering self-embrace and inn...
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...
Rosheena Beek
Rosheena Beek NONE Rosheena Beek (1969-2019) was a successful author and bookstore owner known for her best-selling book, “I Find It So Hard.” Her works, including the popular second edition “Mommy S...
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...
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...
Itah Sadu
Itah Sadu NONE Itah Sadu, an award-winning author and bookstore owner, is known for sharing diverse oral traditions and creating youth programs. She's a founder of several initiatives like the Emanci...
Gigi Best
Gigi Best NONE Gigi Best, a prolific author, historian, and genealogist, is also the owner of Best Books & Rich Treasures. She possesses rich academic credentials and is a member of various historica...
Eric Pete
Eric Pete 0000000372515735 Eric Pete, a US Army veteran and graduate of McNeese State University, is a renowned author known for his debut novel “Real for Me.” His collaboration with Carl Weber on “T...
James W. Lewis
James W. Lewis NONE James W. Lewis, an award-winning novelist and freelance writer, is a managing partner at The Pantheon Collective publishing company. Known for his debut novel 'Sellout', he has re...
Donna L. Brazile
Donna L. Brazile NONE Donna Brazile is a seasoned Democratic political strategist, leading the Gore-Lieberman 2000 campaign as the first African American woman. She is Chair of the Democratic Nationa...
National Museum of African American History and Culture
National Museum of African American History and Culture MULTIPLE The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), established by Congress in 2003, is devoted to documenting Afric...
Nelda LaTeef
Nelda LaTeef 000000008348432X Nelda LaTeef is an award-winning author and illustrator, known for acclaimed children's books like Animal Village and The Talking Baobab Tree. Her work has received nume...
Marc Lamont Hill
Marc Lamont Hill 0000000055257314 In November 2017 Marc Opened a boostore in Philadelphia Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books Dr. Marc Lamont Hill is a renowned intellectual voice, anthropologist of e...
Hugh Mulzac
Hugh Mulzac 0000000399996487 Hugh Nathaniel Mulzac (1886-1971), the first African American ship commander, served on British and American ships during WWI. A graduate of Swansea Nautical College, he ...
Dwayne McDuffie
Dwayne McDuffie 0000000120367289 Dwayne McDuffie (February 20, 1962 – February 21, 2011) was a comic and television writer. He was known for creating the animated television series Static ...
Hedi Harrington
Hedi Harrington NONE Hedi Harrington, a professional book reviewer, writer, editor, and artist with a Master's in Education, uses her diverse experiences and academic training to offer insightful boo...
Lucille O’Neal
Lucille O’Neal NONE Lucille O’Neal is not just “Shaquille O’Neal’s Mom,” she is the president and founder of the Mothers of Professional Basketball Players Association. She is also a founder board m...
Teri Woods
Teri Woods 0000000043564923 Teri Woods, a Philadelphia native and former legal secretary, turned author with her first novel, “True to the Game.” After initial rejections, she self-published and sold...
Christina Benton
Christina Benton NONE Christina Benton is a Las Vegas-based crime author, forensic anthropologist, and bookstore owner. She penned the debut novel featuring Noel Patterson, a forensic anthropologist ...
Roxane Gay
Roxane Gay 0000000434301581 Roxane Gay, renowned writer and editor, has contributed to numerous publications and anthologies. She's co-editor of PANK, essays editor for The Rumpus, and teaches writin...
Shanna Tiggs
Shanna Tiggs NONE Shanna L. Tiggs is an accomplished author and the proprietor of Serenity Book Shop in Columbus, Ohio. Author Shanna L. Tiggs is also the owner of the Serenity Book Shop in Columbus,...
Analeigh Sbrana
Analeigh Sbrana NONE Analeigh Sbrana is a writer and visual artist. She lives in California with her husband, daughter, and a chonky kitty named Rey. Her favorite things to do include wandering thro...
Gwendolyn Wallace
Gwendolyn Wallace NONE Gwendolyn Wallace was born and raised in Danbury, Connecticut, and graduated from Yale University. She can usually be found gardening, exploring used bookstores, or listening ...
Bethany Baptiste
Bethany Baptiste NONE Bethany Baptiste is an inner-city educator by day and a young adult SFF novelist by night. If she's not writing a lesson plan or a story, she does retail therapy in Florida boo...
Ana Ot
Ana Ot 0000000059824400 Ana Ot grew up reading, which led to her love for writing. When she’s not doing either, she’s dreaming up new stories filled with heart and whimsy. Ana enjoys traveling and d...
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...
Wayétu Moore
Wayétu Moore 0000000474741880 Wayétu Moore is the founder of One Moore Book, a non-profit publishing culturally relevant books to promote literacy in countries with low rates. She opened her first b...
Miranda Paul
Miranda Paul NONE Miranda Paul is an award-winning author of children's books like One Plastic Bag and Water is Water, recognized by Junior Library Guild and Amazon. She regularly appears at educatio...
Nicole Tadgell
Nicole Tadgell 0000000038118670 Nicole Tadgell is a renowned watercolor artist and art director with over 20 years of experience. Known for her award-winning children's books, she also leads art work...
Nikole Hannah-Jones
Nikole Hannah-Jones 0000000454752515 Nikole Hannah-Jones, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for The New York Times, is known for her work on racial injustice and the 1619 Project. A MacArthur Genius Gr...
Laura Obuobi
Laura Obuobi NONE Born and raised in Ghana, Laura Obuobi moved to the U.S. in 2003. She has an MA in Early Childhood Education from Columbia University and spent 8 years as a preschool teacher. Now a...
Krystal Marquis
Krystal Marquis NONE Krystal Marquis, a biology graduate and environmental manager, is a lifelong reader turned author. She began writing after accepting a NaNoWriMo Challenge, which led to her first...
Lynn Gaines
Lynn Gaines NONE Ohio-based artist, Lynn Gaines, works for American Greetings and enjoys creating children's book illustrations. She utilizes both traditional and digital mediums, drawing inspiration...
Tamara Shiloh
Tamara Shiloh NONE Tamara Shiloh, a Northern California native, owns the Multicultural Bookstore and Gifts in Richmond. She is a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother residing in Point Richmond,...
Maura Cheeks
Maura Cheeks NONE Maura Cheeks, renowned author featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic and others, won a masthead reporting residency with The Atlantic in 2019. 'Acts of Forgiveness' is her deb...
Aimée Felone
Aimée Felone NONE Aimée Felone, Founder and Managing Director of Knights Of, a multi-award-winning inclusive children's publisher, focuses on amplifying underrepresented voices. Her team, primarily w...
Gloria Mallette
Gloria Mallette NONE Gloria Mallette is a renowned author who began her career self-publishing “Shades of Jade” which was later picked up by Random House and made several best-sellers lists. Her work...
Lisa Stringfellow
Lisa Stringfellow NONE Lisa Stringfellow is an award-winning author known for her West Indian and Black southern heritage-inspired works like “A Comb of Wishes” and “Kingdom of Dust.” She is a dedica...
Jesus Colon
Jesus Colon 0000000022976005 Jesus Colon, widely recognized as the Father of the Nuyorican, was a distinguished Puerto Rican author and political activist. Born in 1901, he developed a passion for st...
Anela Malik
Anela Malik NONE Anela Malik is an author, creator, and host whose storytelling feeds both minds and hearts. She writes, films, and speaks about food, travel, culture, and identity through an unflin...
H.D. Hunter
H.D. Hunter NONE Hugh “H.D.” Hunter is a storyteller, teaching artist, and community organizer from Atlanta. He’s also the winner of several indie book awards for multicultural fiction. Hugh is comm...
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...
Amy Watkins
Amy Watkins NONE Amy Watkins, an award-winning author and physician, is known for her fictional works addressing social issues. A former Navy physician, she now practices family medicine in Virginia....
Angela Shanté
Angela Shanté NONE Angela was a Finalist for a 2024 National Book Award Angela Shanté is an award-winning children's book author, co-founder of Sunday Dinner Publishing, and DEI advocate in publishing...
J. Elle
J. Elle 0000000514293796 J. Elle, author of NY Times bestseller 'Wings of Ebony' and its sequel 'Ashes of Gold', uses her background as a former educator and first-generation college graduate to ment...
Shaundale Rénā
Shaundale Rénā NONE Shaundale Rénā is an award-winning literary professional with over a decade of editing experience. She has six international awards and has worked in various genres. Known for enh...
Kalynn Bayron
Kalynn Bayron 0000000496201973 Kalynn Bayron is the New York Times and Indie bestselling author of the YA fantasy novels Cinderella Is Dead and This Poison Heart. Her latest works include the YA hor...
Cheryl A. Head
Cheryl A. Head NONE Cheryl A. Head (she/her) is the author of the award-winning Charlie Mack Motown mysteries. Head is an Anthony Award nominee, a two-time Lambda Literary Award finalist, a three-ti...
Hayley Dennings
Hayley Dennings NONE Hayley Dennings grew up in the Bay Area. She holds a BA in English and French with a concentration in diversity and inclusion from Loyola Marymount University. Her first novel, ...
Markus Redmond
Markus Redmond NONE Markus Redmond is an actor, director, screenwriter, and author. Known for his roles on Doogie Howser, M.D., NYPD Blue, Murder One, Mad About You, Angel, and Fight Club, he wrote ...
Christian Robinson
Christian Robinson 0000000356790294 Christian Robinson is a San Francisco-based illustrator and animator, known for his work with Pixar Animation Studios and The Sesame Street Workshop. He has illust...
Douglas S. Reed
Douglas S. Reed NONE Douglas S. Reed wins the 2020 BookLife Fiction Prize Douglas S. Reed, a Brooklyn-based screenwriter/novelist, has vast experience in the motion picture industry, including working...
Varian Johnson
Varian Johnson 0000000049306941 Varian Johnson is an award-winning author of children and young adult novels, including 'The Parker Inheritance' and 'The Great Greene Heist'. His works have received ...
T.R. Simon
T.R. Simon NONE T.R. Simon is an acclaimed author renowned for “Zora and Me: The Cursed Ground” and co-author of award-winning “Zora and Me” with Victoria Bond. Also co-authored “Oskar and the Eight ...