AALBC Search
Ntozake Shange
Ntozake Shange 0000000110376632 Ntozake Shange was an educator, dancer, poet, and playwright, best known for her theatre piece 'For Colored Girls'. Born on October 18, 1948, she studied at Barnard Co...
Ntozake Shange and Ifa Bayeza
Ntozake Shange and Ifa Bayeza MULTIPLE Ifa Bayeza is a renowned author known for her collaboration with her sister, Ntozake Shange. Ifa Bayeza (l) with her sister Ntozake Shange (r)
Ifa Bayeza
Ifa Bayeza NONE Ifa Bayeza is an acclaimed playwright, producer, and theater artist. Known for works like “Amistad Voices” and “The Ballad of Emmett Till,” she's won the 2008 Edgar Award and 2007 Eug...
Fulterius King
Fulterius King NONE Fulterius King is an Author, Poet, and Licensed Mental Health Therapist dedicated to empowering Black men and boys through the transformative power of poetry. Fulterius King is a...
Imani J. Walker
Imani J. Walker NONE Dr. Imani J. Walker is a renowned Adult Psychiatry physician based in Southern California. She specializes in mental health and holistic wellness with a focus on acute psychiatri...
Paul C. Thornton
Paul C. Thornton NONE Paul C. Thornton, a Brooklyn native, served in the US Army as a mental health specialist. His diverse career includes roles as a financial executive, retail entrepreneur, city g...
Jor-El Caraballo
Jor-El Caraballo NONE Jor-El Caraballo is a licensed therapist, co-founder of Viva, a mental health practice, and a featured mental health expert. He holds degrees from UNC Wilmington and Columbia Un...
Tonja Myles
Tonja Myles NONE Tonja Myles, an ordained minister and community activist, uses her own experiences as an addict and abuse survivor to promote mental wellness and recovery. As a certified peer suppor...
Jeffrey Gardere
Jeffrey Gardere NONE Dr. Jeffrey Gardere is a renowned psychologist, author, and talk show host with an extensive career in mental health services. He founded the Rainbow Clinic specializing in cultu...
Kazembe
Kazembe NONE Lasana Kazembe is a renowned poet, essayist, and lecturer, recognized for his performances at literary venues across Chicago. Garnering accolades such as the 1st Place Winner of the Gwen...
April Simpkins
April Simpkins NONE April Simpkins is a mental health advocate, serving as an ambassador for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and a board member for NAMI Piedmont Tri-County, where she...
Lee Hawkins
Lee Hawkins NONE Lee Hawkins is a 2023-2024 Rosalynn Carter Fellow for Mental Health Journalism at The Carter Center and was named the Josephine Albright Fellow by the 2024 Alicia Patterson Foundatio...
Charles S. Finch III
Charles S. Finch III NONE AALBC Mourns the passing of Dr. Finch January 17, 2026 Dr. Charles S. Finch III is a renowned African-American physician, author, and cultural historian. Known for his health...
Taraji P. Henson
Taraji P. Henson 0000000078264891 Taraji P. Henson is an acclaimed actress, writer, and producer recognized for her Academy Award nomination and Golden Globe win. In 2018, she founded the Boris Lawre...
Obari Cartman
Obari Cartman NONE Dr. Obari Adéye Cartman is a Chicago-based psychologist, educator, and author, specializing in issues concerning mental health, cultural identity, and manhood. He works as a resto...
Tarkisha M. Wallace
Tarkisha M. Wallace NONE Tarkisha M. Wallace is a licensed counselor offering individual, couple, and family counseling, life coaching, and training workshops. With a Master's degree in Counseling an...
Thema Bryant
Thema Bryant 0000000035962681 Dr. Thema Bryant, a clinical psychologist, professor at Pepperdine University, and ordained minister, is the president-elect of the American Psychological Association. A...
Rashida Aisha Ali
Rashida Aisha Ali NONE Rashida Aisha Ali, an author, artist, and educator, specializes in female-centric topics including health, wellness, and spirituality. With degrees in Divinity and Metaphysics,...
Rachel Johnson
Rachel Johnson 0000000081373706 Rachel Johnson, a licensed mental health practitioner, doula, and activist, is dedicated to improving the Black community's health and wellness. She owns Half Hood Hal...
Keeonna Harris
Keeonna Harris NONE Keeonna Harris is a writer, storyteller, mother of five, prison abolitionist, activist, and academic. Her work focuses on health disparities and radical organizing for women conne...
Augustus G. Parker III
Augustus G. Parker III NONE Dr. Augustus Garland Parker III is a renowned obstetrician from Columbus, Ohio. He has served both Ohio and North Carolina communities, contributing significantly to women...
Clarence McNair
Clarence McNair NONE Baltimore native and ex-Motown artist, Clarence “KD†McNair, overcame hardships and mental health struggles after losing his record deal. Once part of the group, Prophet Jone...
Poet On Watch
Poet On Watch NONE Poet On Watch is a renowned performance poet and multimedia artist, who collaborates globally as an independent art director. She's authored two poetry collections and has contribu...
Rheeda Walker
Rheeda Walker NONE Rheeda Walker, PhD, is a tenured psychology professor at the University of Houston and a renowned behavioral science researcher. She's a published author with 50+ papers on African...
Kevin Shird
Kevin Shird NONE Kevin Shird, co-founder of the Do Right Foundation, is a former convict turned youth advocate, author, and speaker. He shares his personal redemption story to educate youth on the da...
Chianti Lomax
Chianti Lomax NONE Chianti Lomax, “The Chief Happiness Curator”, is a renowned speaker, coach, and strategist, dedicated to transforming mental health in communities of color. Founder of wellDistrict...
Charron Walker
Charron Walker NONE Breast cancer conqueror. Brings 25 plus years of first-hand experience in the Human Services Field. She is an active volunteer with The American Cancer Society, Reach To Recovery ...
Kier Gaines
Kier Gaines NONE Kier Gaines is a licensed therapist, keynote speaker, and popular content creator who has used his platforms to inspire millions of people to be more proactive in their mental healt...
Rod Brown
Rod Brown NONE Rod Brown is a fine artist and the illustrator of We Troubled the Waters and Freedom’s a-Callin’ Me, both by Ntozake Shange, as well as From Slave Ship to Freedom Road by Julius Leste...
Edel Rodriguez
Edel Rodriguez 0000000367958056 Edel Rodriguez is a Cuban-born illustrator, known for his award-winning work, including the Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators. Notably, he served as Time mag...
Didi Anofienem
Didi Anofienem NONE Didi Anofienem, a Houston-born novelist and educator based in Los Angeles, holds degrees from Columbia University, University of San Francisco, UT-Austin, and University of Housto...
Courtney Thorsson
Courtney Thorsson 0000000401626056 Courtney Thorsson is a Professor of English at the University of Oregon. She teaches, studies, and writes about African American literature from its beginnings to t...
Michelle Cooke
Michelle Cooke NONE Dr. Michelle Cooke is a board-certified family physician, certified menopause practitioner, author, and founder of Sol Direct Primary Care in East Point, Georgia—a practice uniqu...
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...
Ian K. Smith
Ian K. Smith 0000000036919431 Dr. Ian K. Smith, a renowned physician, author, and former TV co-host, has contributed to various notable publications and founded two national health initiatives. An al...
Brian H. Williams
Brian H. Williams NONE Dr. Brian H. Williams is a Harvard-educated surgeon, Air Force Academy graduate, and a prominent leader in public policy, structural racism, gun violence, and health equity. Wi...
Michelle A. Williams
Michelle A. Williams NONE Michelle A. Williams is a professor of epidemiology and population health at Stanford University School of Medicine and former Dean of the Faculty at Harvard T.H. Chan Scho...
Gwendolyn Brooks
Gwendolyn Brooks 0000000081816650 Brooks was U.S. Consultant in Poetry, 1985-1986 (title was changed to U.S. Poet Laureate in 1986) Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks (1917-2000) was an influential African-Am...
Natasha Trethewey
Natasha Trethewey 0000000084159051 Trethewey was U.S. Poet Laureate, 2012-2014 Natasha Trethewey, an American poet and winner of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for her collection “Native Guard,” was inspired...
Eva Clark
Eva Clark NONE Eva Clark, a psychologist and award-winning young adult novelist, specializes in mental health, social justice, and sports. Her novels inspire young individuals to discover their best ...
Chichi Agorom
Chichi Agorom NONE Chichi Agorom is a certified Enneagram Teacher, writer, and psychotherapist based in Los Angeles. She has a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Post-Master's in Mar...
Jennifer Mullan
Jennifer Mullan NONE Jennifer Mullan, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist, author, and ancestral wound worker. She works as a consultant and therapeutic coach, focusing on challenging oppressive mental ...
Ryan K. Grace
Ryan K. Grace NONE Ryan K. Grace is a Black, queer, licensed therapist. His mission is to empower his clients and support the mental and emotional health of Black and queer people. Ryan K. Grace,...
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...
Ronnie Sidney, II
Ronnie Sidney, II MULTIPLE Ronnie Sidney, II, MSW, is a Virginia-based therapist, entrepreneur, speaker, author, and social advocate with a passion for social justice and youth work. Despite early ac...
Ruby M. Gourdine and Annie W. Brown
Ruby M. Gourdine and Annie W. Brown MULTIPLE Ruby Gourdine, a professor and former social worker of the year, has extensive experience in various social work fields and chairs the Direct Practice seq...
Maysa Akbar
Maysa Akbar NONE Dr. Maysa Akbar is a certified child and adolescent psychologist specializing in trauma and multicultural counseling. She has over 15 years of clinical experience and is the Founder ...
Laura Jackson
Laura Jackson NONE Evelyn Perkins, writing as Laura Jackson, is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse and author with over 30 years' experience. As a past President of the American Psychi...
Karamo Brown
Karamo Brown NONE Karamo Brown, an influential TV personality, and producer, is known for his role on Netflix's Queer Eye and as the first openly gay African American star on MTV's The Real World. He...
Alvin Poussaint
Alvin Poussaint NONE Alvin F. Poussaint, a renowned scholar, psychiatrist, and consultant, is known for his work with Bill Cosby on The Cosby Show and A Different World. He's a Harvard Medical School...
Brianna-Christine Alicea
Brianna-Christine Alicea NONE Brianna-Christine Alicea, raised in South Bronx, is the first-generation college student on her mother's side, currently studying at Medgar Evers College after overcomin...
Blair Imani
Blair Imani NONE Blair Imani, a LA-born author, historian, and mental health advocate, explores Black, queer, and Muslim identities. She graduated from Louisiana State University and has written two ...
Inger Burnett-Zeigler
Inger Burnett-Zeigler NONE Dr. Inger Burnett-Zeigler is a licensed psychologist and associate professor at Northwestern University with 15+ years of experience in mood disorders and stress management...
Ekemini Uwan, Christina Edmondson, Michelle Higgins
Ekemini Uwan, Christina Edmondson, Michelle Higgins MULTIPLE Ekemini Uwan, a public theologian and writer, contributes to Hallmark Mahogany and has been featured in major media outlets. Dr. Christina...
Erica Woodland
Erica Woodland NONE Erica Woodland is a black queer/genderqueer Licensed Clinical Social Worker, facilitator, and healing practitioner. He advocates for racial, gender, economic, trans, and queer jus...
Isa Watson
Isa Watson NONE Isa Watson, a chemist and data scientist turned entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of Squad, a social app that enhances communication amongst friends. Aiming to make a global impact...
Tiye
Tiye 0000000454171016 Tiye is a USA Today Bestselling author, renowned for her captivating novels. Professionally engaged in mental health services, she finds inspiration from her travels. Currently ...
Toni Lee
Toni Lee NONE Lee, with over 22 years experience in filmmaking and production in Atlanta, has also taught screenwriting at various universities. She later retrained as a mental health and addictions ...
Brianna Peppins
Brianna Peppins NONE Brianna Peppins is the author of young adult contemporary novels, including Briarcliff Prep and As Long as We’re Together. She was raised in PG County, Maryland and graduated fro...
Mervyn Morris
Mervyn Morris 0000000122796976 Born in 1937, Mervyn E. Morris is a renowned Jamaican poet and scholar. A Rhodes Scholar and Professor Emeritus of Creative Writing & West Indian Literature, he was the...
Malik Canty
Malik Canty NONE Malik Canty, also known as the Word Bird, is a spiritual poet, teacher, and writer known for giving voice to the voiceless. He has performed at renowned venues including The Apollo T...
Robin D. Stone
Robin D. Stone NONE Robin D. Stone, MA, LMHC-D, CPT, is a psychotherapist, poetry therapist, wellness coach, and longtime journalist. In her Manhattan private practice, Stone works primarily with Bl...
Jarid Manos
Jarid Manos NONE Jarid Manos is an accomplished author and the CEO of Great Plains Restoration Council. Known for his contributions to notable publications, he's a national speaker, health advocate, ...
Queen Afua
Queen Afua 0000000513485286 Queen Afua is a renowned herbalist, natural health expert, and spiritual healer, specializing in women's health. She is a Khamitic priestess, yoga teacher, and founder of ...
Wanda P. Bowman
Wanda P. Bowman NONE “My Philosophy of Life is, ‘What I believe contributes to how I behave’”. Wanda P. Bowman is a finance professional with over 25 years of experience in hea...
Burnett Kwadwo Gallman
Burnett Kwadwo Gallman NONE Burnett Kwadwo Gallman, a native of Hartsville, SC, is a medical graduate from Hahnemann Medical College. As a physician, his research aims to eliminate racial health disp...
Zoe Sivak
Zoe Sivak NONE Zoe Sivak is a historical fiction author and advocate for diversity, often exploring famous male figures from the perspective of overlooked women. Her debut novel is “Mademoiselle Revo...
Monique Rainford
Monique Rainford NONE Monique Rainford, MD, is a renowned obstetrician-gynecologist and assistant professor at Yale Medicine. An award-winning graduate of University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Medic...
Uche Blackstock
Uche Blackstock NONE Dr. Uche Blackstock is a Harvard-educated physician and leader in addressing bias and racism in health care. As the founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity, she regularly appe...
J.J. Smith
J.J. Smith NONE JJ Smith is a certified nutritionist and weight-management specialist, renowned author, and inspirational speaker. Featured on multiple television shows and in high-profile publicatio...
Yrsa Daley-Ward
Yrsa Daley-Ward NONE Hailing from the northwest of England, Yrsa Daley-Ward is a poet, writer and speaker of mixed Jamaican and Nigerian heritage. She is the author of The Catch, The How, bone, and ...
Staajabu
Staajabu NONE Staajabu is a multi-talented poet, activist, and Straight Out Scribes member from Philadelphia, now based in Sacramento. She is a mother, U.S. Air Force veteran, health advocate, prison...
Countee Cullen
Countee Cullen 0000000081534450 Countée Porter Cullen (1903-1946) was a prominent figure of the Harlem Renaissance, known for his poetry books “Color” and “Copper Sun.” He taught and mentored James ...
Chloe Dulce Louvouezo
Chloe Dulce Louvouezo NONE Chloe Dulce Louvouezo is a Congolese-American writer and advocate focusing on underrepresented women. She's the host of the Life, I Swear podcast and author of a book by th...
Donna Oriowo
Donna Oriowo NONE Dr. Donna Oriowo (pronounced “oreo-whoa!”), LICSW, CST, is an award-winning DEI advocate, international speaker, and certified sex and relationship therapist based in the Washingto...
Mandisa Hundley
Mandisa Hundley 0000000046764760 Mandisa Lynn Hundley was a Grammy-award winning artist known for her Christian music. She began her career singing backup for renowned artists and later topped Christ...
Elizabeth Atkins
Elizabeth Atkins NONE Elizabeth Ann Atkins, best-selling author, actress, TV host, and award-winning journalist, uses her multimedia platform to inspire others to reach their potential. An advocate f...
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....
Benson George Cooke
Benson George Cooke NONE Benson George Cooke, Ed.D., is a Distinguished Professor of Counseling and Psychology and Director of the Graduate Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program in the Division ...
Amiri Baraka
Amiri Baraka 0000000446460520 Amiri Baraka, also known as LeRoi Jones, was a prolific 20th-century African American writer, poet, and Obie-winning playwright. Known for works such as “Blues People” a...
Chaun Webster
Chaun Webster NONE Chaun Webster, a poet, publisher, and graphic designer, is influenced by the Black Arts Movement, Jazz, and Graffiti. He founded Free Poet’s Press in 2009 to encourage art producti...
Goldie the Poet
Goldie the Poet NONE Goldie the Poet, a Bay-Area native and prominent alumnus of Leimert Park’s World Stage Poets, is a gifted actor and artist. With performances across the U.S. and Europe, his uniq...
Sharrif Simmons
Sharrif Simmons NONE Sharrif Simmons, a poet, musician, writer, and arts educator, has a performance career extending over three decades. Inspired by veteran poet Sonia Sanchez and influenced by vari...
muMs the schemer
muMs the schemer NONE Craig Grant, known as muMs the Schemer, is a poet and actor from the Bronx, New York. He rose to fame in the documentary SlamNation and through his role as “Poet” in HBO's Oz. H...
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...
Robert Hayden
Robert Hayden 0000000114660665 Hayden was Named U.S. Poet Laureate for (1976–1978) Robert Hayden (1913-1980) was a renowned African-American poet, essayist, and educator. He was the first Africa...
Linda Janet Holmes
Linda Janet Holmes 0000000036823341 Linda Janet Holmes is an accomplished writer, scholar, and women's health activist. Known for her work on African American midwifery practices, she has also author...
Llaila Afrika
Llaila Afrika NONE "Dr. Llaila Olela Afrika, a holistic health expert, dedicated his life to understanding the body, mind, and spirit. He has studied and taught worldwide, authored numerous resources...
Gregory Gourdet
Gregory Gourdet NONE Gregory Gourdet, born 1975 in New York, is a renowned chef and health enthusiast. A Culinary Institute of America graduate, he trained under Jean-Georges Vongerichten and ran the...
Diane Marie Brown
Diane Marie Brown NONE Diane Marie Brown is a professor at Orange Coast College, public health professional, and author. Holding degrees from UCLA and USC, her debut novel is “Black Candle Women.” Sh...
Priya Fielding-Singh
Priya Fielding-Singh NONE Priya Fielding-Singh is an Assistant Professor at the University of Utah, specializing in family studies, health, and inequality. A Stanford Ph.D. graduate and NIH Fellow in...
Martinus Evans
Martinus Evans 0000000083746588 Martinus Evans, a marathon runner and coach, transformed his health after a grave warning in 2012. He's been featured in major outlets like The New York Times, Men's H...
Kemba Marshall
Kemba Marshall NONE Dr. Kemba Marshall founded Marshall Recruiting Consortium to address the lack of diversity in agriculture and animal health sciences. She also works with organizations to build t...
Alicia McKenzie
Alicia McKenzie NONE Alicia McKenzie is a true Renaissance woman—a former USAW and CrossFit athlete, health and wellness coach, author, real estate investor, and the proud mother of five. Afte...
L’Oreal Thompson Payton
L’Oreal Thompson Payton NONE L’Oreal Thompson Payton is an award-winning journalist, author, and wellness advocate whose work lives at the intersection of mental health, identity, and culture, with ...
Daniel Henderson
Daniel Henderson 0000000016295318 Daniel B. Henderson Sr., also known as Smokey 'D', is a poet residing in Ashdown, AR. Born in 1956, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps and Air Force Reserves. He hol...
Bernard Alexander McNealy
Bernard Alexander McNealy NONE Bernard Alexander McNealy, born in Georgia, is a former semi-pro baseball player turned legal advocate and writer. Raised in Boston, he learned mental discipline from m...
Cynthia Harris Casteel
Cynthia Harris Casteel NONE Cynthia Harris Casteel, a retired teacher and Maryland native, is an aspiring writer, playwright, and founder of the happiness organization, Frankie's Angels. Known for he...
Janie De Coster
Janie De Coster NONE Author Janie De Coster began writing in high school and now pens books across genres such as romantic suspense and contemporary fiction. Her works, like her latest release 'Frien...
Monica A. Coleman
Monica A. Coleman 0000000040498916 Dr. Monica A. Coleman is an award-winning author and Professor of Africana Studies at the University of Delaware. Known for her work in Black and womanist theologie...