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Regena Bryant
Regena Bryant NONE Author Regena Bryant honored a pact with her nephew, resulting in three contemporary women's fiction novels with romantic elements. Her works explore the complexity of love in mode...
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...
Chloe Dominique
Chloe Dominique NONE Chloe Dominique is a freelance illustrator and concept artist based in the UK, working across animation, video games, and children's publishing. Chloe Dominique is a freelance il...
O.W. Showe
O.W. Showe NONE O.W. Showe, former professional basketball player and retired US Air Force Flight Nurse, is a hall of fame inductee known for her athletic and professional achievements. After a succe...
Miss KP
Miss KP NONE Miss KP is an award-winning author from Washington DC, known for her six novels including 'The Dirty Divorce,' which won Urban Book and Title of the Year. She is also associated with the...
Miss Candice
Miss Candice Miss Candice is a bestselling author from the east side of Detroit, MI. Her debut novel, If Not For Love, was published on Amazon in 2014, marking the beginning of a remarkable literar...
Patricia A. Bridewell
Patricia A. Bridewell NONE Patricia A. Bridewell is an award-winning author, nurse practitioner, and educator who began her writing career in 2005. She has published four novels and contributed to se...
Harvey Stein, Herb Boyd, and Miss Rosen
Harvey Stein, Herb Boyd, and Miss Rosen MULTIPLE Harvey Stein, Herb Boyd, and Miss Rosen are renowned authors. Stein, captured during a book signing at Rizzoli Bookstore in 2013, collaborates with Bo...
Miss Major and Toshio Meronek
Miss Major and Toshio Meronek MULTIPLE Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a renowned figure in global trans/queer communities, runs the House of GG educational retreat in Little Rock, Arkansas. Toshio Meronek...
Avalon Soulette Brown
Avalon Soulette Brown NONE Avalon S. Brown, a dedicated nurse with 30 years of experience, is a graduate of Essex County College Nursing Program. She is deeply religious and believes in bringing heal...
Geri Spencer Hunter
Geri Spencer Hunter NONE Geri Spencer Hunter is an award-winning writer and co-founder of The Sacramento Black Nurses Association. A retired nurse from Iowa, she has authored two novels and contribut...
Vanessa L. Williams
Vanessa L. Williams 000000011462842X Vanessa Lynn Williams, born March 18, 1963, is a multi-talented actor, singer, fashion designer and author. She made history as the first African-American Miss Am...
Peggy M. Fisher
Peggy M. Fisher NONE Peggy M. Fisher, a former educator and counselor with the Philadelphia public school system, is an accomplished author recognized for her literary excellence. A retired Army Nurs...
Eileen Southern
Eileen Southern 0000000108921347 Dr. Eileen Southern, born in 1920, was the first black female tenured professor at Harvard. Renowned for her seminal works on Black music, including “The Music of Bla...
Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison 0000000368636040 Winner of the 1993 Nobel Prize in Literature Celebrated American novelist Toni Morrison, born Chloe Ardelia Wofford, won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993. A profes...
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 ...
Krystle Parker
Krystle Parker NONE Krystle Parker, an Adult Gerontologist Nurse with 15 years of experience, is the owner of Absolute Care Services and ILashpark. She is also a community benefactor, hosting annual ...
Carol Denise Mitchell
Carol Denise Mitchell NONE Carol Denise Mitchell, an acclaimed author and journalist, has a 30-year writing career and is known for her award-winning book, “What Happened to Suzy.” Born and raised in...
Susie King Taylor
Susie King Taylor 0000000084839030 Susan Taylor Baker King, born into slavery in 1848, overcame adversity to become a teacher, nurse, and author. Despite education restrictions, she attended secret s...
Toni Tipton-Martin
Toni Tipton-Martin 0000000035718195 Toni Tipton-Martin is an award-winning food journalist and community activist, recognized for her efforts to promote healthier communities. She's a recipient of th...
Francis Ray
Francis Ray 0000000110715606 Francis Ray (1944-2013) was a celebrated Texas-based author and school nurse practitioner. Known for her bestsellers in Blackboard and Essence Magazine, her work includes...
Shafika Burke
Shafika Burke NONE Shafika Burke, a 4th year English major at Medgar Evers College, was raised in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Originally interested in accounting, her passion shifted to literatur...
Anna Deavere Smith
Anna Deavere Smith 0000000110491657 Anna Deavere Smith, born in 1950, is a renowned actress, playwright, author, and professor. Famous for her roles in 'The West Wing' and 'Nurse Jackie', she's also ...
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...
Ruth C. Taylor
Ruth C. Taylor NONE Ruth Carol Taylor, born 1931, is the first African American flight attendant in the U.S. with Mohawk Airlines. She's also a journalist and a nurse who has championed minority and ...
Julian Bond
Julian Bond 0000000110860184 Horace Julian Bond was a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement, politician, professor, and writer. He co-founded the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and t...
Mel Pennant
Mel Pennant NONE Mel Pennant is an award-winning playwright whose work has appeared in the National Archives, as well as on stage. Born in London, she was raised by an extraordinary village, which ...
George Padmore
George Padmore 0000000110573433 George A. Padmore, born Malcolm Nurse, was a renowned Pan-Africanist, journalist, and author from Trinidad. He was a key figure in the 5th Pan African Congress and an ...
Jo Ann Allen Boyce and Debbie Levy
Jo Ann Allen Boyce and Debbie Levy MULTIPLE Debbie Levy is a NY Times bestselling author known for books like 'I Dissent' and 'Imperfect Spiral', and resides in Chesapeake Bay. Jo Ann Allen Boyce, a ...
Kellye Garrett
Kellye Garrett NONE Kellye Garrett, award-winning author of “Like a Sister” and “Hollywood Homicide”, is known for her thrilling mystery novels. Prior to writing, she spent eight years in Hollywood, ...
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...
Melinda Merritt
Melinda Merritt NONE Author Melinda Merritt, born in a small southern GA town, was known as the “miracle baby” after her birth defied medical expectations. Raised by three women known for their heali...
Miko Branch
Miko Branch NONE Miko Branch, CEO and co-founder of Miss Jessie's LLC, revolutionized the hair care industry with products for natural and curly hair. Featured on numerous magazine covers, recognized...
Alexandra Morton
Alexandra Morton 0000000078676423 Alexandra Morton, host of The Book Look and 2011 Miss Black America-Baltimore, offers a unique online book review show on NewsOne.com. Featuring the latest book news...
Nell Irvin Painter
Nell Irvin Painter 0000000081655121 Nell Irvin Painter is a renowned historian, known for her works on 19th-century Southern US history. She has held prestigious positions like the President of the S...
Otto Penzler
Otto Penzler 0000000117770704 Otto Penzler, renowned authority on crime fiction, is the proprietor of The Mysterious Bookshop and founder of The Mysterious Press. He's published acclaimed authors, ed...
Edna Lewis
Edna Lewis 000000006657645X Edna Lewis, one of the greatest American chefs, revived Southern cooking almost single-handedly. Commemorated by a US Postal stamp, she was often referred to as “the Gra...
John O’Neal
John O’Neal NONE John O'Neal, co-founder of the Free Southern Theater and Junebug Productions, is a prominent playwright and activist. His work, which spans over 50 years, focuses on reviving the mem...
Eugene B. Redmond
Eugene B. Redmond 0000000117637604 Eugene B. Redmond, an American poet and academic, is renowned for his connection to the Black Arts Movement. A St. Louis native, Redmond earned degrees from Souther...
Irene Smalls
Irene Smalls NONE Irene Smalls, a Harlem native and Cornell University graduate, is a renowned children's author, inspired by her personal experiences and heritage. Her diverse career spans modelling...
Terris McMahan Grimes
Terris McMahan Grimes NONE Terris McMahan Grimes is an award-winning author known for her Theresa Galloway mystery series. Her work often explores African American family dynamics, particularly mothe...
Louise Hare
Louise Hare 0000000140132284 Louise Hare, a London-based author, is known for her acclaimed debut novel, 'This Lovely City', and 'Miss Aldridge Regrets'. She holds an MA in Creative Writing from the ...
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...
Charlotte Carter
Charlotte Carter 0000000081973701 Charlotte Carter, renowned for her mystery series featuring a jazz musician turned detective, and the Cook County series set in 1960s Chicago. Her work has featured ...
Sharna Jackson
Sharna Jackson NONE Sharna Jackson, an award-winning author known for her middle-grade series High Rise Mystery and Tate Kids Activity books. Recognized as a Rising Star in 2013, she won the Watersto...
Malla Nunn
Malla Nunn 0000000040740979 Malla Nunn, born in Swaziland, is an acclaimed author with two Edgar nominations and a RUSA Best Mystery Novel Award. She won the L.A. Times Book Prize and Josette Frank A...
Valerie Wilson Wesley
Valerie Wilson Wesley 0000000108586470 Valerie Wilson Wesley, author of the Tamara Hayle mystery series, has also written adult-themed novels, children's books, and various fiction and non-fiction wo...
Robbie Montgomery
Robbie Montgomery NONE Robbie Montgomery, “Miss Robbie,” is a former professional singer who worked with Ike Turner and other notable artists before opening a soul food restaurant, Sweetie Pie's, in ...
Katherine Dempsey
Katherine Dempsey NONE Go On Girl! Book Club, Unpublished Writer Award 2021 Winner Atlanta-born author Katherine Dempsey aims to illuminate Southern Gothic themes and Black mysticism in her writing. A...
Nora Deloach
Nora Deloach NONE “I use [mysteries] as the opportunity to introduce people to real African-American characters.” Nora DeLoach (1940-2001), a mystery novelist and social worker, saw her de...
Elizabeth Murphy Oliver
Elizabeth Murphy Oliver NONE Elizabeth Murphy Oliver Abney, former city editor and columnist for the Baltimore Afro-American and granddaughter of its founder, has died at 85. A respected journalist a...
Cicely Tyson
Cicely Tyson 000000011742385X Cicely Tyson was a respected actress, lecturer, and activist with over sixty years in American theater and film. She was the first African-American woman to win an Emmy ...
Shakir Rashaan
Shakir Rashaan NONE Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste his talent, but must develop it.” —Pope Jo...
N.A. Cash
N.A. Cash NONE N.A. Cash, a Bahamian author and Miss Earth Bahamas 2005, is a psychologist who combines her vivid imagination with her professional insights to create suspenseful, supernatural fictio...
Lillian Smith and Michelle Cliff
Lillian Smith and Michelle Cliff MULTIPLE Lillian Smith (1897-1966) was a pioneering Southern novelist and essayist who actively opposed racial segregation. Known for works like “Killers of the Dream...
Persia Walker
Persia Walker NONE Persia Walker is an acclaimed author of historical novels and a contributor to an anthology by the Mystery Writers of America. She's a recipient of the Author of the Year Award by ...
Quvenzhané Wallis
Quvenzhané Wallis 0000000401748045 Quvenzhané “Nazie” Wallis, born in 2003, is known for her role in 'Beasts of the Southern Wild', making her the youngest Oscar nominee for Best Actress. She also s...
Corinda Pitts Marsh
Corinda Pitts Marsh NONE Corinda Pitts Marsh, a Florida State University graduate, is a writer and professor specializing in rural Southern heritage and social justice themes. She is passionate about...
Devon Vaughn Archer
Devon Vaughn Archer NONE Devon Vaughn Archer, pseudonym for R. Barri Flowers, is a celebrated mystery novelist, non-fiction author, and criminologist. Renowned for his multicultural romance novels, h...
Lee E. Meadows
Lee E. Meadows NONE Lee E. Meadows, a native Detroiter and Michigan State University graduate, is a multi-faceted professional with experience in academia, corporate training, and media. He has held ...
Tananarive Due
Tananarive Due 0000000114453527 “The Queen of Black Horror” Tananarive Due, American Book Award-winning author of nine books, holds a B.S. in Journalism and M.A. in English literature. A s...
Michelle Gipson
Michelle Gipson NONE Michelle Gipson, Founder of Written magazine, has 15+ years in publishing and media as a writer, radio personality, and advertising executive. With degrees from Hampton Universit...
Erika Council
Erika Council NONE Erika Council is a renowned baker, food writer, and owner of Bomb Biscuits. She contributes to various cookbooks and runs the Southern Soufflé website. Her work has appeared in nu...
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...
Julian Randall
Julian Randall NONE Julian Randall, a Queer Black poet from Chicago, has received multiple fellowships and was named 2015's Best Poet at CUPSI. He curates for Winter Tangerine Review and is pursuing ...
Leon E. Pettiway
Leon E. Pettiway 0000000033688893 Leon E. Pettiway, Ph.D., is a Professor Emeritus at Indiana University, known for his research in crime patterns, race, and ghettoization. He has published numerous ...
Jasmin Graham
Jasmin Graham NONE Jasmin Graham, a renowned marine biologist specializing in elasmobranch ecology, focuses on smalltooth sawfish and hammerhead sharks. She co-founded Minorities in Shark Sciences (M...
Natasha Owens
Natasha Owens NONE Southern girl Natasha Owens is a devoted mother and Christian with a love for soul music and comfort food. Despite struggles with weight and eyesight, she pursued higher education....
Leo F. Buscaglia
Leo F. Buscaglia 0000000109193839 Leo Buscaglia, known as “Dr. Love,” was an American author, motivational speaker, and professor at the University of Southern California's Special Education Departme...
Leroy Wilson
Leroy Wilson NONE Leroy Wilson, a Brooklyn native and Southern Wesleyan University alum, is an area manager for a Fortune 500 company. Now living in the South, he debuts with his first book, Reversal...
Thom S. Rainer
Thom S. Rainer 0000000083290568 Thom S. Rainer is the CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources, an author of over two dozen books, and a former dean at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also le...
C. Boyd James
C. Boyd James NONE C. Boyd James is an intellectual historian, educated in the University of Southern Caribbean and UCLA. With teaching stints at UC Irvine, Claremont College, Charles R. Drew-UCLA Sc...
Marlene Taylor
Marlene Taylor NONE Marlene Taylor, a University of Pennsylvania cum laude graduate and Business Executive of the Year awardee, has a diverse career from air traffic controller to direct marketing fi...
Charmaine R. Parker
Charmaine R. Parker NONE Charmaine R. Parker, author of 'The Trophy Wives' and 'The Next Phase of Life', is a journalist turned publishing director for Strebor Books under Atria/Simon & Schuster. Ori...
Dana Bari
Dana Bari NONE Dana Bari is a romance author whose love of storytelling grew from years of reading romance and historical fiction—and from a desire to see more stories that reflect her own stage of ...
Lalita Tademy
Lalita Tademy 0000000115872555 Lalita Tademy, a former VP at Sun Microsystems, left her corporate career to trace her family history and write. Born in Berkeley, California, she grew up in a southern...
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou 0000000121191991 Maya Angelou, born Marguerite Johnson on April 4, 1928, was a renowned American author, actress, and civil rights activist. She held numerous roles, from cook to editor,...
Kardea Brown
Kardea Brown NONE Kardea Brown is a contemporary Southern Chef, author of the New York Times bestseller The Way Home, and the creator of the New Gullah Supper Club pop-up, where her menu pays homage...
Evelyn Palfrey
Evelyn Palfrey NONE Evelyn Palfrey, a native Texan, is a graduate of Southern Methodist University and the University of Texas Law School. As an attorney and writer, she's known for her romantic susp...
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...
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...
Keela Buford
Keela Buford NONE Keela Buford, a content strategist and author of 'Pride, and Joy,' is recognized in film and screenplay festival circuits. Her work ranges from science fiction to contemporary, with...
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...
Nella Larsen
Nella Larsen 0000000109109756 Nella Larsen was the first AA woman to receive a Guggenheim Fellowship in creative writing. Nellallitea “Nella” Larsen was the first AA woman to receive a Guggenheim Fel...
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...
Renee Daniel Flagler
Renee Daniel Flagler NONE Renee Daniel Flagler is a writer who has served in marketing, promotions and events for over ten years. Professionally, her writing has been featured in business and co...
Terry DeRon
Terry DeRon NONE Terry DeRon, a dynamic writer with a unique writing style, served in the US Army before obtaining a Television/Film production degree from Southern University. He used his military b...
Jeron McCall
Jeron McCall NONE Jeron McCall is a Los Angeles native who overcame adversity and became a dedicated writer. Despite challenges in his youth, he excelled acadically and honed his writing at the Unive...
Jazmine Joyner
Jazmine Joyner NONE Jazmine Joyner, a Black disabled nonbinary femme, is a renowned comics industry professional. Notable for being the first Black woman to own a West Coast comic shop and an award-w...
Kaitlyn McKnight
Kaitlyn McKnight NONE Kaitlyn McKnight is a young adult fantasy and sci-fi author known for her eccentric personality and unpredictable stories filled with magic, mystery, and malevolence. Her vivid ...
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...
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...
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...
Chancellor Williams
Chancellor Williams NONE Dr. Chancellor James Williams (1898-1992) was a pivotal scholar in the study of Nile Valley Civilization. Born to former slaves, he became an acclaimed author, university pro...
Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter 0000000369603101 Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. President, was a naval officer and Georgia Senator before leading the U.S from 1977-1981. His presidency was marked by foreign policy achieve...