AALBC Search
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...
Aaron Foley
Aaron Foley NONE Aaron Foley is a seasoned journalist and author with a passion for amplifying Black voices in media. Currently serving as senior digital editor for PBS NewsHour, he is also the found...
Jess Marie
Jess Marie NONE Jessica Marie Smith, known as Poet Jess Marie, is an inspirational writer from Detroit, MI, best known for her book “Anthology for Hope in the Hood.” A graduate of Michigan State Univ...
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...
Greg Mathis
Greg Mathis 0000000034573270 Judge Mathis is a public servant and advocate for equal justice. His career began in college leading campaigns, later joining Detroit City councilman Clyde Cleveland's st...
Jabari Osaze, Author, Historian, and Lecturer
Jabari Osaze, Author, Historian, and Lecturer MULTIPLE Jabari Osaze is an expert in Ancient African history, with over 25 years of focus on Ancient Kemetic spirituality. He conducts annual study tour...
Jabari Osaze
Jabari Osaze NONE Jabari Osaze, an expert in Ancient African history and spirituality, particularly Ancient Egypt, has led study tours to Egypt since 2002 and monthly tours to renowned museums. He se...
Tommie Thomas
Tommie Thomas NONE Tommie Lee Thomas, a determined individual of Cherokee Indian and African descent, overcame poverty and adversity to become a retired employee of Ford Motor Company, the City of De...
Rochelle Riley
Rochelle Riley NONE Rochelle Riley, Director of Arts and Culture for Detroit, is a celebrated author, essayist, and advocate for children and education. Known for her award-winning work at the Detroi...
Marvin V. Arnett
Marvin V. Arnett NONE Marvin V. Arnett, a retired Federal Manager from Detroit, had a successful career receiving numerous awards for job performances and cost-cutting suggestions. She served as Nati...
Rashad Phillips
Rashad Phillips NONE Rashad Phillips is an American former professional basketball player and author. Born on May 5, 1978, in Detroit, Michigan, he played as a 5-foot 9-inch guard. Phillips had a not...
Bridgett M. Davis
Bridgett M. Davis NONE Bridgett M. Davis is a Detroit-born author, professor, and filmmaker. A graduate of Spelman College and Columbia University, she now teaches English at Baruch College. Her film...
Kweku Abimbola
Kweku Abimbola NONE Kweku Abimbola, a poet of West African descent, is known for his acclaimed poetry collection “Saltwater Demands a Psalm.” His work explores themes like colonization and climate ch...
John Conyers Jr.
John Conyers Jr. 0000000025669916 John Conyers Jr. was a long-serving Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan, representing Detroit and its surrounding areas from 1965 t...
Desiree Cooper
Desiree Cooper NONE Desiree Cooper is a 2015 Kresge Artist Fellow, ex-attorney, Pulitzer-nominated journalist, and Detroit activist. She has contributed fiction and poetry to numerous publications an...
Renee Prewitt Killingsworth
Renee Prewitt Killingsworth NONE Renee Prewitt Killingsworth, a Chicago native with over 15 years in public relations, began her career as a radio talk show host. She's active in southeast Michigan c...
Sylvia Hubbard
Sylvia Hubbard NONE Sylvia Hubbard, a Detroit native and single mother, is a prolific romance author with over 40 books to her name. She founded the Motown Writers Network and co-created The Essence ...
Stephen Mack Jones
Stephen Mack Jones 000000050165955X Stephen Mack Jones is an acclaimed poet, playwright, and recipient of the Kresge Arts in Detroit Literary Fellowship. After years in advertising, Jones now resides...
Dudley Randall
Dudley Randall 0000000114554651 Dudley Randall (1914-2000), a prominent Detroit poet and publisher, began his career at 13 with his first publication. He founded Broadside Press in 1965, promoting Af...
Jean Alicia Elster
Jean Alicia Elster NONE Jean Alicia Elster, a 2017 Kresge Artist Fellow and former attorney, is an acclaimed author of children's novels. Her book, The Colored Car, was a 2014 Michigan Notable Book a...
Tommye Blount
Tommye Blount 0000000497978952 Tommye Blount is a Cave Canem alumnus and acclaimed author of 'What Are We Not For' and 'Fantasia for the Man in Blue', which was recognized by the National Book Awards...
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 ...
Michael Lee
Michael Lee NONE Michael C. Lee, a retired Detroit Police Department Inspector, has a 20-year service history with notable roles in Gang Enforcement and Carjacking Task Force. He has a background in ...
John Conyers III
John Conyers III NONE John Conyers III, as the son of former Congressman John Conyers, Jr., and former City Council President Monica Conyers, John brings a unique perspective to community service and...
DuEwa M. Frazier
DuEwa M. Frazier NONE DuEwa Frazier is an accomplished writer, educator, and poet, renowned for her literary contributions and educational initiatives. Born in Brooklyn and raised in St. Louis, she f...
Marc W. Polite
Marc W. Polite NONE Marc W. Polite, an award-winning writer from NYC, founded the blog, Polite On Society, and was recognized for “Best Blog Commentary” in 2014. His political commentaries have been ...
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 ...
Christena Cleveland
Christena Cleveland NONE Christena Cleveland Ph.D., a social psychologist, public theologian, and activist, is the founder of the Center for Justice + Renewal. A former Duke University professor, she...
Clarence Lusane
Clarence Lusane 0000000109374330 Dr. Clarence Lusane, a respected scholar and activist, specializes in human rights, global race relations, U.S. politics, and international relations. Born in Detroit...
Hoyt Fuller
Hoyt Fuller NONE Hoyt W. Fuller was a key figure in the Black Arts Movement as an editor, educator, critic, and author. He founded the OBAC writers' collective, edited the influential Negro Digest/Bl...
Kai Harris
Kai Harris NONE Kai Harris is a Detroit-born writer and educator based in the Bay Area. She uses her talent in realistic fiction to uplift the Black community. In addition to being an author, she is ...
Tyehimba Jess
Tyehimba Jess 0000000044353175 Congrats to Tyehimba Jess: Winner 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry Tyehimba Jess, a Detroit native, is an award-winning poet and professor. His first book, Leadbelly, won ...
DeAnn Wiley
DeAnn Wiley NONE DeAnn Wiley is a Detroit artist with over five years of traditional painting experience. Now venturing into digital art, she uses her platform to promote social justice and empower m...
Tanika L. Lynch
Tanika L. Lynch NONE Born in Detroit, Tanika L. Lynch overcame a challenging past marked by abuse, abandonment, and a stint in prison. During her incarceration, she earned her GED, attended college, ...
Christian Keyes
Christian Keyes NONE Christian Keyes is a versatile actor, singer, and songwriter from Detroit, Michigan, recognized for his consistent performances in Tyler Perry's productions. He's also known for ...
Stuart Cosgrove
Stuart Cosgrove 0000000384903559 Stuart Cosgrove, born in 1952, is a UK television executive and author. He has had a diverse career, from writing on the northern soul scene to winning a BAFTA for Ch...
Regie Gibson
Regie Gibson NONE Regie Gibson is a poet, songwriter, author, workshop facilitator, and educator. Regie has performed, taught, and lectured at schools, universities, theaters and various other ve...
Jim Daniels
Jim Daniels 0000000055106495 James Raymond Daniels, born 1956, is an American poet and writer from Detroit, Michigan. He currently resides in Pittsburgh with his wife, poet Kristin Kovacic, and their...
Grant Hill
Grant Hill 0000000116362151 Grant Henry Hill, born October 5, 1972, is a former NBA player who played for four teams including the Detroit Pistons and LA Clippers. He's also an avid art collector. Gr...
Margaret H. Mason
Margaret H. Mason NONE Margaret Harriet Mason, a resident of Ferndale, Michigan, is known for shedding light on the discriminatory policies of the Detroit Wonder Bread factory in the 50s and 60s, as ...
Corey Yeager
Corey Yeager NONE "Dr. Corey Yeager serves as the psychotherapist for NBA's Detroit Pistons, providing mental health support and guidance.” Dr. Corey Yeager is the psychotherapist for the NBA’s Detro...
Janae Marie
Janae Marie NONE Krystle Hudson, also known as Janae Marie, is an award-winning author and filmmaker from Detroit. Known for her creativity and passion, she started writing poetry at 13 and novels at...
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...
Felicia B. George
Felicia B. George NONE Felicia B. George, a native Detroiter who has a deep passion for Detroit's history and culture, holds a doctorate in anthropology from Wayne State University. Currently servin...
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...
Cheryl Robinson
Cheryl Robinson NONE Cheryl Robinson, a Detroit-born author, transformed her life from a career in marketing to writing. She began with self-publishing, before transitioning to Penguin Books' imprint...
Donald Goines
Donald Goines 0000000080237403 Donald Goines (December 15, 1936 – October 21, 1974) was a writer of urban fiction. Goines was born in Detroit, Michigan. His parents were a middle-class Afri...
Jiba Molei Anderson
Jiba Molei Anderson NONE Jiba Molei Anderson is a seasoned creative professional with over 20 years of experience in illustration, graphic design, writing, and education. The Detroit native and Unive...
Brittany Jackson
Brittany Jackson NONE Brittany “Bea” Jackson, an award-winning illustrator and alumni of the College for Creative Studies, is renowned for her work in children's book illustration, specifically “Hair...
D’Andre Walker
D’Andre Walker NONE D'Andre Walker is a Detroit-born civil engineer and author, who found inspiration in Cormac McCarthy's work. Balancing his daytime engineering job with a passion for writing and b...
Kelvin Boston
Kelvin Boston NONE Kelvin E. Boston is a Financial journalist, author, and entrepreneur. Kelvin Boston believes that financial education is the key that unlocks the doors to financial success. Bo...
T. Friday
T. Friday NONE T. Friday, a Detroit native and mother of five, found her passion for reading at an early age. After a life-altering event in 2016, she pursued her dream of writing. Now an author of o...
Larry C. Fields III
Larry C. Fields III NONE Larry C. Fields III is an actor recognized for his roles in commercials for Samsung, Dave and Buster’s, and Jeep. Born in Detroit, raised in Virginia, Fields is also a vetera...
Christian Cook
Christian Cook 0000000109462330 Christian Sandra-Elise Cook, a Detroit-born author, graduated early from high school and earned a BA in Public Relations from Columbia College Chicago. Her passion for...
Ain Heath Drew
Ain Heath Drew NONE Ain Heath Drew, a children's author from Detroit, now living in Stone Mountain, GA, enjoys traveling, outdoor activities, and exploring cuisines. Her work includes the Ari J. chil...
Rachelle Baker
Rachelle Baker NONE Rachelle Baker is a versatile artist from Detroit, MI, proficient in printing, illustration, comic and video art, and music. She draws inspiration from shoujo manga, 90s/2000s R&B...
Kierra Sheard-Kelly
Kierra Sheard-Kelly 0000000044380093 Kierra Sheard-Kelly, a Detroit-based singer, songwriter, actress, and activist, is part of the legendary gospel group, the Clark Sisters. She launched her solo ca...
Micah L. McCreary
Micah L. McCreary NONE Rev. Dr. Micah L. McCreary, from Detroit, Michigan, is the 12th president of New Brunswick Theological Seminary since 2017. He has degrees in Engineering, Divinity, and Counsel...
Markita Staples-Green
Markita Staples-Green NONE Markita Staples-Green, a wife and mother from Detroit, found her passion for writing children's books inspired by her daughters. Despite her business background and corpora...
Chris Webber
Chris Webber 0000000031515227 Chris Webber was a five-time All-Star and a five-time All-NBA selection. In a career that spanned fifteen seasons, Webber is one of five NBA players to average at least ...
Naija
Naija 0000000121578678 Naija, a Detroit native and writer, splits her time between NYC and the Cayman Islands. Known for her debut novel touching on taboo subjects, she holds a BSc in Psychology and ...
Charles B. Fancher
Charles B. Fancher NONE Charles B. Fancher is the author of Red Clay, the popular historical novel from Blackstone Publishing. The novel, which covers the final months of the Civil War, Reconstructi...
Tom Wood
Tom Wood 0000000071567072 “If you are excellent at almost anything you can succeed.” Tom Wood, a trailblazer in the banking industry, was the first Black member of a major U.S. bank's boar...
Faye Childs
Faye Childs NONE Faye Childs, born 1956, was a literary agent committed to promoting Black literature. She founded the Black Board Bestsellers list, a platform that increased visibility for Black aut...
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...
Gwendolyn Osborne
Gwendolyn Osborne NONE Gwendolyn Osborne, known as “The Word Diva”, was a Chicago-based freelance writer and former associate editor for Black Issues Book Review. Known for her love of romance novels...
Pearl Cleage
Pearl Cleage 0000000031900424 “The purpose of my writing, often, is to express the point where racism and sexism meet.” Pearl Cleage, born in 1948, is an acclaimed playwright, journalist, ...
Anita Bunkley
Anita Bunkley NONE Anita Richmond Bunkley is a highly-acclaimed author and motivational speaker. Overcoming initial rejections, she self-published her first novel and has since written five more, all...
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 ...
Jayne Allen
Jayne Allen NONE Jayne Allen, pen name of Jaunique Sealey, is a Duke and Harvard graduate, attorney, and entrepreneur. Fluent in three languages and widely traveled, Allen uses her unique experiences...
Julianne Malveaux
Julianne Malveaux 0000000021068830 Dr. Julianne Malveaux is a renowned economist, author, and commentator, lauded for her contributions to public discourse on race, culture, and gender. Currently the...
Sam Anderson
Sam Anderson 0000000119000682 Dr. Sam Anderson, a veteran activist and educator, is a renowned mathematics professor and Senior Editor of NOBO. A founding member of the Network of Black Organizers an...
Miss Candice
Miss Candice NONE 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 lit...
Jason Wilson
Jason Wilson 0000000109296299 Jason Wilson, founder and CEO of the Yunion, a non-profit youth organization, has impacted over 15,000 youth since 2003 through prevention programming and parental engag...
Louise Story and Ebony Reed
Louise Story and Ebony Reed MULTIPLE Louise Story is a renowned investigative journalist and Yale professor, known for her work at The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and for her investig...
Joe Louis
Joe Louis 0000000081503179 “You can run, but you can’t hide.” Joseph Louis Barrow (May 13, 1914 – April 12, 1981) was n professional boxer who reigned as world heavyweight cha...
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...
Huey P. Newton
Huey P. Newton 000000010924806X Huey P. Newton, born February 17, 1942, was a key figure in the US civil rights and Black Power movements. A co-founder of the Black Panther Party, he championed self-...
James H. Cone
James H. Cone 0000000381571755 James Hal Cone (1938-2018) was a renowned theologian known for advocating black theology and black liberation theology. His seminal work, Black Theology and Black Power...
Historical Research Department of the Nation of Islam
Historical Research Department of the Nation of Islam NONE This author explores the historical relationship between Black and Jewish communities, claiming that Black leaders advocating for economic a...
Terrance Dean
Terrance Dean 000000003396662X Terrance Dean, a former MTV producer, became a philanthropist and “Cardio-Spiritualist” after leaving his jet-set job. He founded Men's Empowerment and co-created “The ...
Kristen Uroda
Kristen Uroda NONE Kristen Uroda is a design researcher at Civilla and an editorial illustration specialist. She debuted with her first picture book in 2023, advocating for innovative changes in publ...
adrienne maree brown
adrienne maree brown 0000000037757913 adrienne maree brown is a writer rooted in Detroit who lives [2024] in Durham, NC. Her books include Emergent Strategy, Pleasure Activism, Holding Change, and t...
Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo
Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo NONE Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo is an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. She received an MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and...
Jessica Gibson
Jessica Gibson NONE Jessica Gibson is a freelance illustrator born in the riverfront area of Detroit, Michigan. She’s been drawing whimsical, expressive characters and concept art since the moment s...
Barbara Brandon
Barbara Brandon 0000000031564723 Barbara Brandon is the first nationally syndicated African-American female cartoonist. Barbara Brandon-Croft, creator of the comic strip 'Where I’m Coming From', is ce...
Patricia Lee Gauch
Patricia Lee Gauch 0000000063058868 Patricia Lee Gauch grew up near Detroit and has been a devoted member of the children’s literature community all her professional life. She is the author of Thund...
Kristle Marshall
Kristle Marshall NONE Kristle Marshall, born and raised in Detroit, is a visual artist, illustrator, and designer who is always drawing. She earned a BA from Savannah College of Art and Design and l...
Ladii Nesha
Ladii Nesha NONE Ladii Nesha is the pen name of Renesha Williams, author of twenty romance novels. She believes a good book should be like a rollercoaster: starting off smooth, then twisting and tur...
Bill Murray
Bill Murray 0000000117750359 Bill Murray, a renowned comic artist and illustrator, started at Johnson Publishing Company before founding BAM Productions in 1985. He works with Real Times Media and ha...
Lionel C. Bascom
Lionel C. Bascom NONE Lionel C. Bascom is a professor at Western Connecticut State University with a robust career in journalism, including stints at Free Press, United Press International, Money Mag...
Elijah Muhammad
Elijah Muhammad 0000000083721495 Elijah Muhammad, born Elijah Poole, was an influential African-American religious leader who led the Nation of Islam from 1934 until his death in 1975. He was a mento...
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...
Stacey Marie Robinson
Stacey Marie Robinson NONE Stacey Marie Robinson is the founder of Kya Publishing, where she directs operations including creating and promoting her Urban Toronto Tales novels. She holds degrees in C...
Al Young
Al Young 0000000063058737 Al Young, born in 1939, is a respected author and poet from Mississippi. He attended the University of Michigan before moving to the San Francisco Bay Area and graduating fr...
Evelyn Coleman
Evelyn Coleman NONE Evelyn Coleman, born in 1948, is a renowned thriller and children's book author from Burlington, NC, currently living in Atlanta, Georgia. She's working on her next Patricia Conle...
Julian English
Julian English NONE Born prematurely with brain damage, Julian English defied odds by learning differently. His mother, Natasha Moulton-Levy, used travel to educate him, enabling Julian to understand...
Gerry Wright
Gerry Wright NONE Gerry Wright is a former professional basketball player and author. After earning All-American honors in high school and playing basketball at the University of Southern California ...
Hunter Hayes
Hunter Hayes 0000000356472077 Author Hunter Hayes returns to the literary scene after a hiatus. Known for his critically-acclaimed novels, Shoes On the Otha' Foot and A Pair Like No Otha', Hayes is n...
Rita Woods
Rita Woods NONE Rita Woods is a family doctor, wellness center director, and author of her debut novel, Remembrance. Balancing her professional life with family time and involvement in her local libr...