AALBC Search
May 2017 Newsletter: Bestselling Books, New Books, Author Info, and Much More
May 2017 Newsletter: Bestselling Books, New Books, Author Info, and Much More Troy Johnson Article Our May Newsletter is Generously Sponsored by Amistad Bestselling Books Bestselling Books: M...
African-American Literature Web Sites Launch “Power List” of Best-Selling Books
African-American Literature Web Sites Launch “Power List” of Best-Selling Books Troy Johnson Article FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Troy Johnson: troy@aalbc.com Gwen Richardson: grichardson@cu...
Power List Best-Selling Books • Spring 2015
Power List Best-Selling Books • Spring 2015 Troy Johnson Article Multi-Title Authors Find Success on Spring 2015 Edition of the Power List of Best-Selling African-American Books May 22, 2015 ...
Top 40 Books Read by African Americans
Top 40 Books Read by African Americans Troy Johnson Article Power List Best-Selling Books • Winter 2015 NAACP Image Award Literary Nominees Well Represented on Winter Edition of the Power List of ...
Power List of Best-Selling African-American Books - Fall 2014
Power List of Best-Selling African-American Books - Fall 2014 Troy Johnson Article Strong Sales Shown Among Hardcover Non-Fiction Titles in Fall Edition of the Power List of Best-Selling African-...
The Power of Blogs Part 4
The Power of Blogs Part 4 Troy Johnson Article Well it has been three weeks since the last post to my Blog. Hey it has been a busy three weeks with Christmas, New Years and everything else that goes ...
Blacktrospective 2012 - Annual Assessment of the Best in Black Film
Blacktrospective 2012 - Annual Assessment of the Best in Black Film Troy Johnson Article Each year we publish our annual list of the best in Black cinema. This list is unique in that it assesses...
THE BLACK SCHOLAR: Journal of Black Studies and Research
THE BLACK SCHOLAR: Journal of Black Studies and Research Troy Johnson Article Volume 1 Number 1 November 1969 Mission Statement From the Inaugural Issue: THE BLACK SCHOLAR has been born out of th...
50 Best Places to Meet Other Book Lovers Online
50 Best Places to Meet Other Book Lovers Online Anna Miller Article Editor’s Note: This article was updated in April 2017 to show sites that are no longer active or have completely shut d...
We Must Patronize Black-Owned Websites or Lose Them
We Must Patronize Black-Owned Websites or Lose Them Troy Johnson Article Part of AALBC.com’s mission is to help support Black-owned websites. Historically, I've focused on sites related to books i...
17th Annual Celeb.of Black Writing
17th Annual Celeb.of Black Writing Troy Johnson Article PHOTOS and a report of this event coming soon! The 17th Annual Celebration of Black Writing February 16 to 18, 2001 Philadelphia For...
The Power of Blogs Part 5 & Updates on AALBC.com
The Power of Blogs Part 5 & Updates on AALBC.com Troy Johnson Article After all that talk about the power of Blogs, it is hard to believe that it has been a full month since my last update. Even...
History of our Annual Black Pack Party
History of our Annual Black Pack Party Troy Johnson Article The Black Pack Party is a gathering of professionals across the Black book ecosystem. It was originally held annually during Book Expo Amer...
2016 National Black Writers Conference
2016 National Black Writers Conference Troy Johnson Article Update: March 25, 2016 The Conference's Complete and final Schedule of Events is Now Available. Greetings Colleagues, We are excited a...
Bing Site Search is a Great Alternative, to Google Site Search, for a Website’s Search Engine
Bing Site Search is a Great Alternative, to Google Site Search, for a Website’s Search Engine Troy Johnson Article If you are reading this article, which has nothing to do with the primary focus of ...
Troy Johnson: Literary Activist of the Year 2017
Troy Johnson: Literary Activist of the Year 2017 Troy Johnson Article On June 10, 2017, I had the fortune of being honored with the Literary Activist of the Year Award, which was presented to me ...
40 Best-Selling African-American Books — Summer 2015
40 Best-Selling African-American Books — Summer 2015 Troy Johnson Article In Era of Political and Social Discontent, Titles with Political Slant Gain Traction on Summer 2015 Edition of the Power L...
2012 Black Pack Party Photographs
2012 Black Pack Party Photographs Troy Johnson Article (HARLEM - June 12, 2012) - Londel's Restaurant served as the venue for the 6th Black Pack Party held June 6th, 2012. The Black Pack Party, held...
Black Belt Press
Black Belt Press Troy Johnson Article The Black Belt, defined by its dark, rich soil, stretches across central Alabama. It was the heart of the cotton belt. It was and is a place of great beauty,...
Myths about Single Mothers
Myths about Single Mothers Joy Thomas Moore Article ❖ Majority of single mothers are irresponsible, single from the outset and minority. REALITY: Around half of single mothers have never ...
The Black Arts Movement (BAM)
The Black Arts Movement (BAM) Kalamu ya Salaam Article “…aesthetic and spiritual sister of the Black Power concept.”―Larry Neal The Black Arts Movement spans the period fr...
“Would You Stop Buying Books from Amazon.com to Save the Black Book Industry?”
“Would You Stop Buying Books from Amazon.com to Save the Black Book Industry?” Troy Johnson Article Exploring The Feasibility Boycotting Amazon’s Bookstore In the following video, Ruth J. Morrison, ...
Why Black Owned Websites Fail
Why Black Owned Websites Fail Troy Johnson Article A few days ago a friend came across an article in, WhereItzAt Magazine. In the magazine was an article, “In defense of Black Bookstores,” addressed ...
The ESSENCE Brand—Where Black Women Come First—NOT!
The ESSENCE Brand—Where Black Women Come First—NOT! Troy Johnson Article A few weeks ago, I visited Essence Magazine’s website to learn which Black owned bookstore they were going to use as the books...
Farrakhan to Black Youth: Study Ferguson, MO and Gaza
Farrakhan to Black Youth: Study Ferguson, MO and Gaza Leroy Baylor Article The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan Photo: Michael Muhammad The military readiness of police in Fer...
Kimani Press
Kimani Press Troy Johnson Article This Summer Sizzles With the Launch Of Kimani Romance�! Bestselling Authors Pen Sophisticated and Sexy Novels for the World's Only African-American Roman...
Bestsellers Lists, Authors, New Books & More - June 2015
Bestsellers Lists, Authors, New Books & More - June 2015 Troy Johnson Article Read Our eNewsletter Archives Subscribe to Receive Highlights of Our eNewsletter and More on Your Kindle ...
The Power of Blogs Part 3
The Power of Blogs Part 3 Troy Johnson Article OK, so I built this blog almost a week ago but how will anyone know to visit it? As with a web site, I have to believe content is the most important th...
The Power of Blogs
The Power of Blogs Troy Johnson Article With this, we begin AALBC.com's foray in the world of Blogs. I've been reading a lot about Blogs lately. It seems the media is way ahead of the curve on thi...
The Power of Blogs Part 2
The Power of Blogs Part 2 Troy Johnson Article Interestingly enough the process was not as difficult as I thought it might be, however it is far from intuitive -- particularly if you are not technica...
The Music Moguls Who Bled Millions from a Black Legend
The Music Moguls Who Bled Millions from a Black Legend Reclamation Project Article Originally Published by the NOI Research Group The recent death of the great Rock & Roll pioneer Chuck Berr...
AAFCA Honored MOONLIGHT as Top Film & QUEEN SUGAR as the Top TV Show
AAFCA Honored MOONLIGHT as Top Film & QUEEN SUGAR as the Top TV Show Troy Johnson Article FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AFRICAN AMERICAN FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION (AAFCA) HONORED MOONLIGHT AS THE TOP ...
The 2017 Black Pack Party @ Clyde Frazier’s May 31, 2017
The 2017 Black Pack Party @ Clyde Frazier’s May 31, 2017 Troy Johnson Article 11th Annual Black Pack Party We are hosting the 11th Annual Black Pack Party on the evening of Wednesday, May 31st. It w...
Black Writers Dominate the 2017 Pulitzer Prizes
Black Writers Dominate the 2017 Pulitzer Prizes Troy Johnson Article Back in January of this year, I took the time to try to figure out how many Black writers have won Pulitzer Prizes in the six ...
Only 54 Black Owned Bookstores Remain in America
Only 54 Black Owned Bookstores Remain in America Troy Johnson Article This is a follow up to an article, “Death of the Black Owned, Independent, Book...
Tavis Smiley is no good for Black folks!
Tavis Smiley is no good for Black folks! Troy Johnson Article Actually, I believe the exact opposite, strongly. I used the provocative title to draw attention to this blog post. My hope is that y...
BARTLETT’S FAMILIAR BLACK QUOTATIONS: Edited by Retha Powers
BARTLETT’S FAMILIAR BLACK QUOTATIONS: Edited by Retha Powers Troy Johnson Article Bartlett's Familiar Black Quotations: 5,000 Years of Literature, Lyrics, Poems, Passages, Phrases, and Proverbs...
Neshee Publication
Neshee Publication Troy Johnson Article http://nesheepublication.com Neshee Publication� was founded in January, 2001 by Aalim & Heather Elitou, a husband and wife team also known as...
Our Future is Cyberspace
Our Future is Cyberspace Troy Johnson Article “Outsiders” have often dictated the trends of African American Culture, sometimes doing the job themselves, sometimes using what authors John A. Williams...
African-American Pavilion at Book Expo America 2007
African-American Pavilion at Book Expo America 2007 Troy Johnson Article BookExpo America's Conference/Educational Programs run from May 31 - June 3, 2007 at the Jacob Javitz Convention Center in New...
“The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain”
“The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain” Langston Hughes Article One of the most promising of the young Negro poets said to me once, “I want to be a poet—not a Negro poet,” meanin...
Share Info from Indie Black Owned Websites
Share Info from Indie Black Owned Websites Troy Johnson Article Add Huria Search Resources to Your Website or Blog Huria Search was created in reaction to the current trend in search results that f...
5 Ways to Support Independent Black Voices
5 Ways to Support Independent Black Voices Troy Johnson Article The Digital Divide, or the disparity between internet adoption rates between various groups, has been a topic of conversation since the...
Black Book Websites Need Love Too
Black Book Websites Need Love Too Troy Johnson Article Over the last decade there has been a great deal of lamenting over the closing of Black owned, independent brick and mortar book stores. Recent...
Two Years Ago - Black New Yorkers: Booklover hopes to profit from his passion
Two Years Ago - Black New Yorkers: Booklover hopes to profit from his passion Troy Johnson Article Black New Yorkers: Booklover hopes to profit from his passionby Tanangachi Mfuni, Amsterdam News Sta...
The Black Arts Movement’s Attack on W.E.B. Du Bois’ Theory of Double Consciousness
The Black Arts Movement’s Attack on W.E.B. Du Bois’ Theory of Double Consciousness Tony Lindsay Article Tony Lindsay There have been two major Black literary movements in American history: The...
The Cartel series is back...and more deadly than ever.
The Cartel series is back...and more deadly than ever. Troy Johnson Article Ashley & JaQuavis are New York Times bestselling authors of over 30 novels. They are the youngest Black writers to ...
Donald Trump is a Negger
Donald Trump is a Negger AALBC Staff Writer Article It’s not a typo. Donald Trump used a pick-up artist’s strategy to win the presidency. For those of you who don’t know much abo...
Facebook Profile Photo Trick
Facebook Profile Photo Trick Troy Johnson Article I'm often inspired by the things other people do. While checking out the Facebook profile of a recent contributor to my discussion board yesterday I...
Rappers Delight – Jay Z’s new book and the RZA interviewed
Rappers Delight – Jay Z’s new book and the RZA interviewed Troy Johnson Article “My life after childhood has two main stories: the story of the hustler and the story of the rapper, and the two ov...
American Gangster
American Gangster Troy Johnson Article The movie American Gangster was filmed in my neighborhood in Harlem. The steps of the church Denzel Washington is standing, in the photograph above, is just aro...
A Profile of the Late Hugh Holton
A Profile of the Late Hugh Holton Michael Marsh Article Hugh Holton, passed May 18, 2001 at age 54, just eight days after his eighth novel, The Devil’s Shadow Books Behind the Ba...
Chester Himes
Chester Himes Michael Marsh Article Long before becoming a famous novelist, Chester Himes was a budding criminal. But his life changed after he was arrested in Chicago. His approach to his fir...
Gloria Naylor Discusses Her Novel The Men of Brewster Place on Barnesandnoble.com
Gloria Naylor Discusses Her Novel The Men of Brewster Place on Barnesandnoble.com Gloria Naylor Article Moderator: Welcome, Gloria Naylor! Thank you for taking the time to join us online this evening...
Colin Channer On His Novel, Satisfy My Soul
Colin Channer On His Novel, Satisfy My Soul Colin Channer Article What is SATISFY MY SOUL saying about the American experience? That the destruction of African gods has shaped the destiny of...
Gentle Pen Editorial Services
Gentle Pen Editorial Services Troy Johnson Article http://www.gentlepen.com Behind Every Good Writer is a Great Editor! A good story is crafted with solid writing. A great book is well edit...
There is a Lack of Unity Among Black Websites
There is a Lack of Unity Among Black Websites Troy Johnson Article Over the last year, I’ve invested a lot of effort informing the public about the adverse impact of the corporate take over of the we...
AALBC.com Clients Make the NY Times Best Sellers List!
AALBC.com Clients Make the NY Times Best Sellers List! Troy Johnson Article [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="250"] #13 NY Times Best Seller, Hardcover Fiction May 20, 2012[/caption] I start...
Reflections on Black Book Reviews
Reflections on Black Book Reviews Troy Johnson Article For more than a decade I, through AALBC.com, have published hundred's of reviews of books written by or about Black people. Over the years thi...
For Black History Month: Research & Share Your Family History
For Black History Month: Research & Share Your Family History Troy Johnson Article [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="640"] Troy Johnson's Maternal Father Rev. Freeman Foster his 2nd Wife Hazel ...
State of the Black Union 2009
State of the Black Union 2009 Kam Williams Article Tavis Assembles Black Luminaries in L.A. for 10th Annual Gathering State of the Black Union by Kam Williams The 10th Annual Sta...
State of the Black Union 2008
State of the Black Union 2008 Kam Williams Article Obama’s Conspicuous Absence Overshadows Annual Gathering State of the Black Union 2008 by Kam Williams Senator Barack Obama...
Black New Yorkers: Booklover hopes to profit from his passion
Black New Yorkers: Booklover hopes to profit from his passion Troy Johnson Article Black New Yorkers: Booklover hopes to profit from his passionby TANANGACHI MFUNIAmsterdam News StaffSeptember 28 - O...
The 5th National Black Writers Conference Report from the Field 2
The 5th National Black Writers Conference Report from the Field 2 Kalamu ya Salaam Article Report from the Field National Black Writers Conference 2000 Part 2 of 3 “E...
New Hair-do is a “Natural”
New Hair-do is a “Natural” Connie Bradley Article This article originally appeared in the Chicago Today newspaper's Op-Ed page in the early 1970's I finally succumbed. If someone ha...
Richard Wright to Jay-Z: The Decline of Young Black Male Literary Writers
Richard Wright to Jay-Z: The Decline of Young Black Male Literary Writers K.L. Reeves Article Young Writers Need Models Young writers need models. Early in my apprenticeship my predecessors fed me ...
The Magic of Just Being
The Magic of Just Being Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich Article I love and celebrate Black Girl Magic and Black Excellence. I mean! Just look at us. We truly are extraordinary. But sometimes &hellip...
More Bios.
More Bios. Troy Johnson Article 360� A Revolution of Black Poets Produced in the tradition of the Black Poetry Festivals and Conferences of the Black Arts Movement, this first Nati...
Black Renaissance Noire
Black Renaissance Noire Troy Johnson Article Selected by Library Journal as one of the ten best magazines of 1996 Vol. 3 No. 1 Fall 2000 Manthia Diawara Editor-in-C...
Black Americans in Publishing
Black Americans in Publishing Troy Johnson Article This orgaization is no longer active. Information provided here is for archival purposes. Black Americans in Publishing, Inc P.O. Box 6275 FDR S...
Black Orchid Lit. Agency
Black Orchid Lit. Agency Troy Johnson Article Black Orchid Literary Agency http://www.flashtech.net/bola/ 820 Lamar Street Cleveland, TX 77327 William E. Wright, President &...
Getting in Dialogue
Getting in Dialogue Troy Johnson Article INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS Interested in being interviewed or having your project considered for DIALOGUE? Mail your biographical sketch and a detailed de...
Hilarious New Novel From Award-winning Playwright David Lamb
Hilarious New Novel From Award-winning Playwright David Lamb Troy Johnson Article What’s worth fighting for the heart or the wallet? From the Creator of Platanos Y Collard Greens, David Lamb’s Ama...
Garvey & Garveyism is Back in Print / 100 Anniversary of UNIA
Garvey & Garveyism is Back in Print / 100 Anniversary of UNIA Troy Johnson Article Garvey and Garveyism, a well known classic that has been out of print for more than 3 decades, is essential for read...
Financial Advice During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Financial Advice During the Covid-19 Pandemic Lynnette Khalfani-Cox Article The COVID-19 outbreak is disproportionately impacting African-Americans, from a public health standpoint and from an econom...
Get a Jump Start on Black History Month with 100+ Terrific Books
Get a Jump Start on Black History Month with 100+ Terrific Books Troy Johnson Article 86 African-American History Books Every year I’m asked what are you gonna do for African American Hi...
The Ultimate Top 10 Books Lists, Great New Books, Black Classic Press Celebrates 40 Years, and More!
The Ultimate Top 10 Books Lists, Great New Books, Black Classic Press Celebrates 40 Years, and More! Troy Johnson Article Please join us as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Black Classic Press ...
The 2016 Black Pack Party: A Wonderful Celebration!
The 2016 Black Pack Party: A Wonderful Celebration! Troy Johnson Article The 10th Black Pack Party, like all the others, was a wonderful celebration. Hosted during Book Expo America each year, the B...
The 2016 Black Pack Party & BookExpo America
The 2016 Black Pack Party & BookExpo America Troy Johnson Article 10th Anniversary Black Pack Party We are hosting the 10th Anniversary Black Pack Party on the evening of Wednesday, May 11th. It is ...
Our 10 Most Popular Discussions (and Why Discussion Forums Matter)
Our 10 Most Popular Discussions (and Why Discussion Forums Matter) Troy Johnson Article Our discussion forums have been running for more than 17 years. According to Google's Analytics, these are the...
NAACP Image Award Winner, Tony Rose pens, “America the Black Point of View”
NAACP Image Award Winner, Tony Rose pens, “America the Black Point of View” Troy Johnson Article An Autobiographical History Book by, NAACP Image Award Winner for Outstanding Literature, Tony Rose ...
Marcus Books of San Francisco Evicted—Should We Care?
Marcus Books of San Francisco Evicted—Should We Care? Troy Johnson Article Back in the the summer of 2013, I joined the fight to help save Marcus Books. My motivation was not solely limited to savin...
28 Reasons to Hug a Black Guy
28 Reasons to Hug a Black Guy Troy Johnson Article Here are 28 reasons to hug a Black guy. The video is courtesy of the folks at Saturday Night Live, who no longer have to put a Black guy in a dress ...
Huria Search - Search the Global Black Community
Huria Search - Search the Global Black Community Troy Johnson Article Editors Note: As of March 2016, after a 5 year run, Huria Search's run as a standalone site has ended. The Search engine and the...
I'm Voting for Barack Obama - Period!
I'm Voting for Barack Obama - Period! Troy Johnson Article He is Black and that is all I care about period.I don't give a crap if he has funny colored lips, a white mother, and African Father.I don't...
The 5th National Black Writers Conference Report from the Field 3
The 5th National Black Writers Conference Report from the Field 3 Kalamu ya Salaam Article Report from the Field National Black Writers Conference 2000 Part 3 of 3 “E...
Can I Get An Amen?
Can I Get An Amen? Ruth C. Taylor Article This article was originally published on now defunct, but historically significant, The Black World Today website and is shared here for archival purposes....
Jayne Allen’s Inspiration for Black Girls Must Die Exhausted
Jayne Allen’s Inspiration for Black Girls Must Die Exhausted Jayne Allen Article I knew that I wanted to write a story that gave authentic purpose to showcasing a Black female protagonist. I wanted...
Black Renaissance Noire
Black Renaissance Noire Troy Johnson Article Black Renaissance Noire African American Literature Book Club - The #1 Site for "Readers of Blac...
Souls
Souls Troy Johnson Article http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ccbh/souls/index.html Souls is a quarterly interdisciplinary journal sponsored by the Center for Contemporary Black History, a scholar...
Host a Listening Party for SHUT UP AND READ!
Host a Listening Party for SHUT UP AND READ! Jeannine A. Cook Article .image:hover { transform: translateY(-5px); box-shadow: 0 12px 24px rgba(255, 126, 3, 0.4); } Host a Listening Pa...
Google‘s Adverse Impact on the World Wide Web
Google‘s Adverse Impact on the World Wide Web Troy Johnson Article (Note: On Sunday May 20, CBS’s 60 Minutes aired a segment on the power of Google, validating much of what I’ve written below) Goo...
Would You Stop Buying Books from Amazon.com to Save the Book Industry?
Would You Stop Buying Books from Amazon.com to Save the Book Industry? Troy Johnson Article Boycotting Amazon’s bookstore might mean, at least initially, that you’ll have pay a little more for books,...
December 2016 Newsletter - Great New Books, Best Film of the Year, and More
December 2016 Newsletter - Great New Books, Best Film of the Year, and More Troy Johnson Article Cerece Rennie Murphy – Our eNewsletter Sponsor for December Experience The Love of A Lifetime ~ T...
Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America
Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America Michael Eric Dyson Article Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White AmericaBeloved, the deed has been done. We have—since that ’we’ mu...
The Louisiana Girls Trilogy from Jewell Parker Rhodes
The Louisiana Girls Trilogy from Jewell Parker Rhodes Troy Johnson Article The Louisiana Girls trilogy from award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes brings together three heroic girls from acros...
“Who Will Write a Story for the Children of Eric Garner?”
“Who Will Write a Story for the Children of Eric Garner?” Troy Johnson Article AALBC Guest Post by Zetta Elliott “Who will write a story for the children of Eric Garner?” This question came to mi...
Dr. John Henrik Clarke - A Great and Mighty Walk - Watch This Film!
Dr. John Henrik Clarke - A Great and Mighty Walk - Watch This Film! Troy Johnson Article "...the first light of human consciousness and the world's first civilizations were in Africa."-Dr. John Henr...
Her Praise: Profile of Camille Yarbrough, a Renaissance Woman
Her Praise: Profile of Camille Yarbrough, a Renaissance Woman DuEwa M. Frazier Article With a career in the performing arts that has spanned a lifetime the acclaimed singer, actress, poet, act...
Hyena Women and Other Strange Tales of Social Chaos
Hyena Women and Other Strange Tales of Social Chaos L. E. Rainey Article Several years ago I watched a documentary about a pride of lions and a pack of hyenas living in the African savannah. By e...