AALBC Search
Albert “Prodigy” Johnson
Albert “Prodigy” Johnson NONE Albert “Prodigy” Johnson was a globally recognized rapper, part of the duo Mobb Deep. Known for his reality-based music, he sold millions of albums worldwide. Prodigy al...
Toni Ann Johnson
Toni Ann Johnson NONE Toni Ann Johnson is an award-winning author recognized for her linked story collection 'Light Skin Gone to Waste', which won the 2021 Flannery O'Connor Award and was nominated f...
Storm
Storm NONE Storm, a freelance writer and editor based in Philadelphia, combines sophistication and street-wise sensibilities in her urban fiction. A child prodigy with a Bachelor's of Arts, she has a...
Steven Savile
Steven Savile 0000000109018192 Steven Savile is an acclaimed British author, known for writing popular game and comic series including Doctor Who, Torchwood, Stargate, and Battlefield 3. He's also co...
Dennis A. Williams
Dennis A. Williams NONE Dennis A. Williams is a Syracuse-born author and educator. Raised in a multicultural neighborhood, his experiences shaped his writing, including his 1973 novella “Them That’s ...
Jerald LeVon Hoover
Jerald LeVon Hoover NONE Jerald L. Hoover is a multi-talented author and entertainment figure, known for his best-selling novella “My Friend, My Hero.” He has received various accolades, including th...
Lanell
Lanell NONE Lanell is a Washington, DC-based freelance technical writer currently working on the second book of her novella series. Lanell is a freelance technical writer living in the Washington, DC...
Aileen Muhammad
Aileen Muhammad NONE Aileen Muhammad, born in 1950, is a notable poet and author from Philadelphia. Her poetry appeared in Journal of Black Poetry and Muhammad Speaks in the 1960s. She graduated from...
Avery Irons
Avery Irons NONE Avery Irons was born and raised in central Illinois. She is the author of the novella Glass Men, which won Big Fiction magazine's Novella Prize, and short fiction that has appeared ...
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...
Zin E. Rocklyn
Zin E. Rocklyn NONE Zin E. Rocklyn is a celebrated author, contributing to award-winning anthologies and zines. They've received notable recognition for their horror story, “Summer Skin”, and contrib...
Kiki Swinson
Kiki Swinson NONE “Kiki captures the heat of the streets.” —Wahida Clark KiKi Swinson, born in Portsmouth, Virginia, discovered her writing talent while in federal prison, resulting ...
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...
Shelly Oria
Shelly Oria 0000000444542979 Shelly Oria is an acclaimed author known for “New York 1, Tel Aviv 0” and the digital novella, “CLEAN.” Her work has received nominations for numerous awards, including a...
Teddy Riley
Teddy Riley 0000000078243847 Edward Theodore “Teddy” Riley is an American record producer, songwriter, singer, and musical innovator whose work has shaped the sound of modern R&B and hip-hop for mor...
Troy Andrews
Troy Andrews 0000000114882786 Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, a Grammy-nominated artist from Tremé, New Orleans, became a band leader at six. Known for his prodigious trombone skills, he now headlin...
Zaila Avant-Garde
Zaila Avant-Garde NONE Zaila Avant-Garde, a New York Times bestselling author and SportsKid of the Year 2021, is renowned for being the first African-American to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee...
Tanya Smith
Tanya Smith NONE “What Does It Take to Become a Prodigy Scam Artist?” — The New York Times (Aug. 28, 2024) Tanya Smith, a Minneapolis native, grew up in a theater that fostered Princ...
John Valentine
John Valentine NONE John Valentine, born in 60s' Mississippi, is a writer and cultural historian. From a background of poverty and racism, Valentine channeled his experiences into understanding the h...
Jay Lemming
Jay Lemming NONE Jay Lemming is a Washington, DC-based author known for dark literary fiction and horror. Works include 'Billy Maddox Takes His Shot', 'The Curse of Jaxx', and 'Death to the Children ...
Timothy George
Timothy George 0000000083235956 Detroit-born author Timothy George, renowned for his deep fascination with African-American history, adeptly combines education with entertainment in his novels. His e...
Teju Cole
Teju Cole 0000000077460567 Teju Cole, an acclaimed writer, art historian, and photographer, serves as the Distinguished Writer in Residence at Bard College and is a photography critic for the New Yor...
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 ...
K’wan
K’wan 0000000417519140 K'wan Foye, born to a poet and painter, faced numerous rejections before his debut novel, Gangsta, was published in 2002. His subsequent novels caught the attention of St. Mart...
G. Neri
G. Neri 0000000022608771 G. Neri is a Coretta Scott King honor-winning author known for books like 'Yummy', 'Surf Mules', and 'Ghetto Cowboy'. His work, recognized by numerous organizations including...
Kwei Quartey
Kwei Quartey NONE Kwei Quartey is a renowned crime fiction writer and practicing physician based in Pasadena, California. Known for his bestselling novels and medical expertise, he balances early mor...
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...
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 ...
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...
Cheryl Cloyd Robbins
Cheryl Cloyd Robbins NONE Cheryl Cloyd Robbins is a passionate writer who began her journey in high school. She self-published her first novel in 2006 and its acclaimed sequel in 2008. Despite being ...
Ronin Ro
Ronin Ro 0000000035931519 Ronin Ro, a New York City-based author, began his career writing for Dance Music Report and The Source, eventually contributing to renowned publications like Rolling Stone a...
Jamarhl Crawford
Jamarhl Crawford NONE Jamarhl Crawford, also known as UNO The Prophet, is a Boston-based artist and poet deeply rooted in the city's Black communities. Coming from a family rich in artistic history, ...
Zetta Elliott
Zetta Elliott 000000003627950X Zetta Elliott, a Canadian-born Black feminist writer, is known for her poetry, plays, essays, and children's novels. She earned a PhD in American Studies from NYU, taug...
Martha Kennerson
Martha Kennerson NONE Martha Kennerson, a bestselling and award-winning author, uses her passion for reading and writing to create heartfelt stories. Known for her novels Choices and Consequences and...
KR Bankston
KR Bankston NONE KR Bankston is an accomplished Fiction Novelist, Publishing Consultant, and CEO of Kirabaco Media Group. Known for her commercial publishing debut, 'A Deadly Encounter' in 2008, she ...
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...
Moses Ose Utomi
Moses Ose Utomi NONE Moses Ose Utomi is a Nigerian-American fantasy writer and nomad currently based out of Honolulu, Hawaii. He has an MFA in fiction from Sarah Lawrence College and short fiction p...
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 ...
J.J. Phillips
J.J. Phillips NONE Jane J. Phillips, born in 1944, is an acclaimed poet, novelist, and civil rights activist. Recognized for her works including 'Mojo Hand: an Orphic Tale' and 'The Passion of Joan P...
Anita Gail Jones
Anita Gail Jones NONE Anita Gail Jones, a Georgia-born visual artist and writer, is a Hedgebrook alumna and a 2018-19 Affiliate Artist at The Headlands Center. Her debut novel, The Peach Seed, was a ...
Yahrah St. John
Yahrah St. John NONE Yahrah St. John, an established author, began writing at 12 and penned 20 novellas in her teens. As of 2023, she has authored 39 books with Arabesque, Kimani Romance, Harlequin D...
Kemi Ashing-Giwa
Kemi Ashing-Giwa NONE Kemi Ashing-Giwa is an author and scientist-in-training based in Palo Alto. Her work includes the USA Today bestselling, Compton Crook Award-winning novel The Splinter in the S...
Cheryl S. Ntumy
Cheryl S. Ntumy NONE Cheryl S. Ntumy is a Ghanaian writer of speculative fiction, young adult fiction, and romance. Her work has appeared in FIYAH Literary Magazine; Apex Magazine; World Literature ...
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...
Christopher Myers
Christopher Myers NONE Christopher Myers, son of renowned author Walter Dean Myers, is an award-winning illustrator with a deep appreciation for storytelling through images. Myers extends his family'...
Everett Hoagland
Everett Hoagland NONE Everett Hoagland, a Philadelphia-born poet, professor, and activist, is renowned for his contributions to African American literature. A significant literary figure, he has nume...
Paul Porter
Paul Porter 0000000032557824 Paul Porter is a seasoned radio, music, and television professional with four decades of experience. Known for his deep voice and expertise, Porter has spent 10 years at ...
Maliek Blade
Maliek Blade NONE Dr. Maliek Blade, founder and CEO of Whole Brother Mission, is a charismatic expert dedicated to mentoring men towards holistic success. Known for his deep knowledge, practical insi...
Les Brown
Les Brown 0000000116420577 Leslie “Les” Brown, born February 17, 1945, is a renowned motivational speaker, author, and former radio host. Despite his challenging upbringing, Brown has inspired millio...
Amos N. Wilson
Amos N. Wilson 0000000083152296 Dr. Amos N. Wilson was a renowned psychologist, social worker, and academic who held roles in the New York City Department of Juvenile Justice and taught at City Unive...
Karl Nova
Karl Nova 0000000048878796 Karl Nova, a London and Lagos raised musician and author, uses rap and spoken word poetry to voice his unique experiences of nonconformity and personal growth. Known for hi...
April Reynolds
April Reynolds NONE April Reynolds, award-winning author of 'Knee-Deep in Wonder', is a distinguished faculty at Sarah Lawrence College. She has also taught at NYU and the 92nd Street Y. April Reynol...
Angel Mechelle
Angel Mechelle NONE Author Angel Mechelle, a military brat turned acclaimed writer, has a passion for storytelling. She resides in Virginia and began her literary journey as a contributing author in ...
Barbara Summers
Barbara Summers 0000000083029183 Barbara Summers was an American author, educator, and former Ford model. She authored 'Skin Deep' (1998), a definitive work on black women in the modeling industry, b...
Katherine Shears
Katherine Shears NONE Katherine Shears is a dedicated executive consultant and deep thinker committed to social betterment and personal transformation. A voracious reader, she applies knowledge from ...
C. N. Phillips
C. N. Phillips NONE C. N. Phillips, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, is a renowned author known for her gritty series, The Last Kings. Signed to Carl Weber’s Urban Books, her storytelling finesse has ear...
Samara Cole Doyon
Samara Cole Doyon NONE Samara Cole Doyon is a second-generation Haitian American and Mainer, working as a freelance writer and teacher. She is a regular contributor at Black Girl In Maine Media and h...
Cynthia Manick
Cynthia Manick NONE Cynthia Manick's poetry collection, No Sweet Without Brine, is a celebration of self-love and culture. Through lyrical expressions, she explores daily life, familial bonds, and so...
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...
Essex Hemphill
Essex Hemphill 0000000029631982 Essex Hemphill (1957-1995) was a notable poet and activist, significant in the 1980s Washington D.C. art scene. Raised in poverty, he sought solace in poetry, explorin...
Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass 0000000121171288 “Without Struggle… There Is No Progress!” —Frederick Douglass Frederick Douglass (1818-1895), born into slavery, was an influential abolit...
Fenton Johnson
Fenton Johnson 0000000038623095 Fenton Johnson (1888-1958) was an African American poet, essayist, and editor who significantly contributed to the Harlem Renaissance. His work, including his well-kno...
Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr.
Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. MULTIPLE Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., a Philadelphia native, is a respected theologian and pastor. After serving in the military, he completed his higher education at How...
David J. Mason
David J. Mason NONE David J. Mason, digital publishing entrepreneur and founder of HMG ePublishing, is a seasoned executive with a deep interest in the history of his family and the Civil War. He's k...
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...
Jean Toomer
Jean Toomer 0000000120198120 Jean Toomer (1894-1967), born as Nathan Pinchback Toomer, was a leading African American poet and novelist of the Harlem Renaissance and Modernism. Born to wealthy parent...
Blacc Topp
Blacc Topp NONE Blacc Topp, an award-winning author born in Benton Harbor, MI, and raised in South Dallas, used his love for writing to navigate personal loss and a challenging upbringing. From journ...
Shaun Sinclair
Shaun Sinclair NONE Shaun Sinclair, a South Carolina native and Army veteran, is a renowned author known for blending crime and erotica in his novels. Leveraging his experience as a law clerk, his wo...
Kevin M. Weeks
Kevin M. Weeks NONE Kevin M. Weeks is an acclaimed self-published Urban Fiction author known for his debut, The Street Life Series. Honored as the Best New Urban Author of 2007, his fresh approach te...
Leland Melvin
Leland Melvin NONE Leland Devon Melvin, born in 1964, is a former NFL athlete turned astronaut, scientist, and educator. He flew with the Space Shuttle Atlantis, crafted optical fiber sensors at NASA...
Ernest K. Aning
Ernest K. Aning NONE Ernest K. Aning, a New York-born writer with Ghanaian roots, published his first book in 2018. Deeply passionate about societal problems and corporate America, his global experie...
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...
Baba Wagué Diakité
Baba Wagué Diakité 0000000121436557 Baba Wagué Diakité, a Mali-born artist, found his roots in drawing before discovering claywork when he moved to the US. He has had numerous solo and group exhibi...
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...
Michael Machira Mwangi
Michael Machira Mwangi NONE Michael Machira Mwangi is a renowned author known for his insightful works. With a passion for literature, he's made significant contributions to the field. His writing re...
William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer
William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer MULTIPLE William Kamkwamba is a Malawian inventor, engineer, and author who gained international fame for building a windmill to power several electrical appli...
Ned Sublette
Ned Sublette 0000000108555156 Ned Sublette, born in 1951, is a talented composer, musician, and author hailing from Texas. Known for his work in Spanish Classical Guitar, he is also a renowned musico...
Donovan X. Ramsey
Donovan X. Ramsey NONE Donovan X. Ramsey is a renowned journalist and author, known for his deep analysis of U.S. history, social justice, and racial inequality. His impactful writing illuminates und...
Rudolph Elliot Willis
Rudolph Elliot Willis NONE Rudolph Elliot Willis brings a deep, personal perspective to his writing, drawing from his own experiences growing up in Chicago—in Cabrini-Green. He performed his undergr...
Melvin Gibbs
Melvin Gibbs 0000000055545607 Melvin Gibbs is a Grammy-nominated composer, musician, artist, and writer born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Widely recognized for his groundbreaking work across ja...
Iceberg Slim
Iceberg Slim 0000000107778710 Iceberg Slim, originally Robert Maupin, was a notorious pimp turned acclaimed author. Known for his icy demeanor and ruthless tactics, he controlled over 400 women durin...
Chris Barton
Chris Barton 0000000082953972 Chris Barton, an award-winning, best-selling author, has written numerous children's books, drawing from a lifelong passion for storytelling. He grew up in Texas, nurtur...
E. Lynn Harris
E. Lynn Harris 0000000117647343 Everette Lynn Harris was a successful black author, focusing on the experiences of young, urban professionals. Raised by a single mother in Little Rock, he overcame pe...
K. Caprice Arradondo
K. Caprice Arradondo NONE K. Caprice Arradondo, born in 1988, is a Minnesota-based poet, short story writer, lyricist, father, and licensed tattoo artist. His works, including the co-authored “Writer...
Dinesh Sharma and Uwe P. Gielen
Dinesh Sharma and Uwe P. Gielen MULTIPLE Dinesh Sharma is a seasoned author known for his insightful and engaging writings. His work spans multiple genres and reflects his deep understanding of vario...
Bill Duke
Bill Duke 0000000063023892 Actor, Director, and Producer Bill Duke has over 40 years of Hollywood experience, known for his roles in “Predator,” “X-Men 3,” and currently in HBO Max's “No Sudden Move....
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...
Mutabaruka
Mutabaruka 0000000108754294 Mutabaruka, was born Allan Hope and is a Jamaican Rastafari dub poet, musician, actor, educator, and talk-show host. Just above his forehead, poet ...
M.W. Moore
M.W. Moore NONE M.W. Moore, former NCAA track champion and recovering addict, is a renowned speaker on addiction and its consequences. Known for his courage and transparency, Moore openly shares his ...
Amos Ferguson
Amos Ferguson 0000000078904406 Amos Ferguson, born in 1920, was a self-taught Bahamian artist best known for his vibrant Bible and Bahamian scenes. He started painting in his 40s, inspired by a nephe...
Demoine Kinney
Demoine Kinney NONE Demoine Kinney is a pastor, Air Force veteran, actor, comedian, and self-taught saxophonist known for his positive messages and unique style. Noted for his role in The Avengers, h...
Lawrence Deron Thomas
Lawrence Deron Thomas NONE Lawrence Deron Thomas, a Bay Area native, was inspired by his parents to pursue strength, courage, and success. After a brief stint as a rapper, he found his passion for wr...
Toby Thompkins
Toby Thompkins NONE Toby Thompkins, tech entrepreneur, executive coach, and bestselling author, is the CEO of SAFIOO Inc., a mobile leadership development platform. With 30+ years of experience acros...
Lenny McAllister
Lenny McAllister NONE Lenny McAllister’s journey embodies the American Second Act. After leaving Davidson College in 1992 and returning to graduate in 2002, he built a defining career bridging bu...
Colin Cloud Dance
Colin Cloud Dance NONE Colin Cloud Dance is an acclaimed author known for his captivating narratives and unique storytelling style. His writings, often inspired by personal experiences and observatio...
Dante Ginevra
Dante Ginevra NONE Dante Ginevra is an accomplished author, known for his unique writing style and engaging narratives. His works are a blend of mystery and drama, often exploring deep psychological ...
James Spooner
James Spooner 000000011940613X James Spooner is an accomplished author known for his evocative storytelling and deep character development. His works span multiple genres, making him a versatile writ...
Thomas Norman DeWolf
Thomas Norman DeWolf 0000000074225246 Author of 'Inheriting the Trade', explores his family's past as the largest slave-trading dynasty in U.S. history. Featured in the Emmy-nominated documentary 'Tr...
Michael S. Bandy and Eric Stein
Michael S. Bandy and Eric Stein MULTIPLE Michael S. Bandy and Eric Stein are accomplished authors and screenwriters. Bandy, a founding member of Comedy Shorts, has worked in animation and co-authored...
Billy Carson
Billy Carson NONE Billy Carson, born in 1971, is the CEO of 4BiddenKnowledge Inc, and bestselling author of works like “The Compendium Of The Emerald Tablets.” He runs a conscious streaming TV networ...