AALBC Search
Ruby Bridges
Ruby Bridges 000000003120025X Ruby Bridges, born 1954, is a civil rights activist known for being the first black student to integrate an all-white school in New Orleans at age six. Her journey spark...
Donna M. Gray-Banks
Donna M. Gray-Banks NONE Donna M. Gray-Banks, founder of F.R.E.S.H. Book Festival, is a successful author known for her suspense erotic trilogy and a guest columnist for various outlets. She hosts tw...
Jael Richardson
Jael Richardson NONE Jael Ealey Richardson is a Toronto-based author and educator with an MFA in Creative Writing. Known for her memoir and children's book, both titled The Stone Thrower, her work re...
Toni Blackman
Toni Blackman 0000000036920264 Toni Blackman, an international champion of hip-hop culture, is known for her captivating performances and powerful presence. She's the first hip-hop artist to work as ...
LaKesa Cox
LaKesa Cox NONE LaKesa Cox is an award-winning author and screenwriter with over 20 years of experience. She has published four novels and has contributed to two anthologies. She was acknowledged as ...
Nancy Churnin
Nancy Churnin NONE Nancy Churnin is a celebrated children's book author, known for inspiring kids to be heroes through her stories. She's a Eureka Silver Award winner and has been recognized with the...
Rose Brock
Rose Brock 0000000107888362 Rose Brock, a professor at Sam Houston State University, is renowned for inspiring youth to love books. In addition to her career as a librarian and educator, she co-found...
Zuksiwa Wanner
Zuksiwa Wanner NONE Zukiswa Wanner, born to South African and Zimbabwean parents in Zambia, is a celebrated author known for award-nominated novels like “Men of the South.” As an essayist, she focuse...
George Ford
George Ford 0000000100607572 George Ford, a prolific children's book illustrator, has contributed to over 30 books. He is a Coretta Scott King Award recipient for his work on 'Ray Charles' and 'The S...
Lola Shoneyin
Lola Shoneyin 0000000041835603 Lola Shoneyin is a renowned Nigerian poet and author, best known for her debut novel, “The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives.” Identified as a promising African writer ...
Nigeria Lockley
Nigeria Lockley NONE Nigeria Lockley is a New York-based author and teacher. Her debut novel, Born at Dawn, reflects her Christian faith and everyday issues. She holds two Master's degrees from the C...
Ava DuVernay
Ava DuVernay 000000035624500X Ava DuVernay is an award-winning writer, producer, and director in independent film. She founded DVA Media + Marketing and the African-American Film Festival Releasing M...
Darlene Williams
Darlene Williams NONE Darlene Williams is an award-winning businesswoman, adjunct lecturer, bestselling author, and nationally recognized youth and literacy advocate. She serves as President of the ...
Sharon M. Draper
Sharon M. Draper 0000000374578086 Sharon M. Draper, acclaimed author of the Sassy series and numerous teen novels, is a New York Times bestseller and multiple Coretta Scott King Award winner. A forme...
Yani
Yani 0000000118166410 Yani, an Amazon Best Selling Author from Philadelphia, is renowned for her six novels and unique storytelling style. She's celebrated in genres like African American Fiction-Ur...
Shannon Holmes
Shannon Holmes NONE Shannon Holmes, a Bronx native, turned his life around while serving a prison sentence by penning his first novel. Achieving success with his debut, “B-more Careful,” he secured a...
Patricia A. Saunders
Patricia A. Saunders NONE Patricia A. Saunders, an author from Connecticut, now based in San Francisco, began her writing journey after her mother's passing. She released her first book in 2012 and i...
Anika Malone
Anika Malone NONE Anika Malone, author of the acclaimed “10 Minutes Past Too Late”, is celebrated as a fresh voice in contemporary fiction. She has participated in notable book events across the Unit...
Kellie Magnus
Kellie Magnus 0000000114740104 Kellie Magnus is a Jamaican children's author and media writer. An alumna of Harvard and Columbia Universities, she's the Chair of the Kingston Book Festival and serves...
Melica Niccole
Melica Niccole NONE Melica Niccole, a Columbus-native author, poet, and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, has a passion for writing which she uses to explore various subjects. She created an annua...
Colette Bancroft
Colette Bancroft NONE Colette Bancroft is the book editor for the Tampa Bay Times since 2007, directs the annual Festival of Reading, and served on the National Book Critics Circle board. She holds E...
justin a. reynolds
justin a. reynolds NONE Justin A. Reynolds is an acclaimed author renowned for his debut YA novel, “Opposite of Always,” and second novel “Early Departures.” His work includes a Marvel graphic novel ...
David Washington
David Washington NONE Dr. David Washington decision to write a graphic novel stemmed from his dissatisfaction with the lack of diversity in the superhero genre. He hoped to provide his children with ...
Esther Phillips
Esther Phillips 0000000073657506 Esther Phillips, founder of The Bim Literary Festival & Book Fair and editor of Bim magazine, is a highly decorated poet with an MFA in Creative Writing. She's won pr...
Thando Mgqolozana
Thando Mgqolozana 0000000071220474 Thando Mgqolozana, born in 1983, is a renowned South African novelist and Mandela Rhodes Scholar. He authored novels like 'Hear Me Alone' and 'Unimportance' and co-...
Vashti Harrison
Vashti Harrison 0000000476987403 Vashti Harrison, born in 1988, is a Virginia-based author, illustrator, and filmmaker with a passion for storytelling. She has degrees in Media Studies, Studio Art, F...
Alberto O. Cappas
Alberto O. Cappas NONE Alberto O. Cappas, a Puerto Rican-born poet, writer, and community activist, is known for his work in economic development, literature, and advocacy in New York and Buffalo. He...
Cheryl Clarke
Cheryl Clarke 0000000383377198 Cheryl L. Clarke, born in 1947, is a lesbian poet, essayist, and a Black feminist activist. Her work emphasizes African-American women's literature and black lesbian fe...
Matthew A. Cherry
Matthew A. Cherry 0000000500418922 Former NFL wide receiver, Matthew A. Cherry, transitioned into filmmaking after his retirement in 2007. He's known for directing over 20 music videos, his feature f...
Louis Edwards
Louis Edwards 0000000028382400 Louis Edwards, a Guggenheim Fellowship and Whiting Award-winning author, has written four novels including Ramadan Ramsey and Ten Seconds. Louisiana-born Edwards is als...
Biyi Bandele
Biyi Bandele 0000000120964833 Biyi Bandele-Thomas (1967-2022) was a renowned Nigerian novelist, playwright, director, and photographer. He was celebrated as one of Africa's top 50 artists. Bandele's ...
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...
Geoff Bennett
Geoff Bennett NONE Geoff Bennett is the co-anchor and co-managing editor of PBS NewsHour and serves as a contributor to NBC News. A Peabody Award-winning journalist, he has reported on national poli...
Joy Elan
Joy Elan NONE Joy Elán, an award-winning author and spoken word artist from Oakland, CA, has penned six books. Despite being born with hearing loss, she overcame adversity to earn degrees from UC Be...
Doris Payne
Doris Payne 0000000109107224 Doris Payne, born in Slab Fork, West Virginia, is the youngest of six and daughter of a coal miner. She is renowned for her six-decade career as an international jewel th...
Rosalyn McMillan
Rosalyn McMillan NONE Rosalyn McMillan (1953-2017) was a prolific author from Michigan who penned six popular novels. She lived in Memphis, Tennessee with her husband and enjoyed knitting and fishing...
Kirbyjon H. Caldwell
Kirbyjon H. Caldwell NONE Kirbyjon H. Caldwell is a former bond broker and MBA holder from Wharton School of Business who turned to religion, growing a 25-member congregation into an 18,000 member me...
Kelly Starling Lyons
Kelly Starling Lyons NONE Kelly Starling Lyons is a children's book author from Pittsburgh. Inspired by her mother's storytelling and her grandparents' creativity, she started writing at a young age....
Cathy Finch White
Cathy Finch White NONE Cathy Finch White, a former medical professional turned author, advocates for child education through reading. She has written four award-winning books, including “Anna Learn's...
Donna Drew Sawyer
Donna Drew Sawyer NONE Donna Drew Sawyer, author of Provenance, has a rich background in arts administration, advertising, and public relations. A New Yorker with over three decades of experience in ...
Breena Clarke and Amy Newmark
Breena Clarke and Amy Newmark MULTIPLE Amy Newmark is the author, editor, and publisher of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Breena Clarke, a distinguished Black scholar and novelist, penned the ...
Ayana Mathis
Ayana Mathis 0000000367812022 Ayana Mathis, an Iowa Writers' Workshop graduate and Michener-Copernicus Fellowship recipient, is best known for her NYT best-selling novel 'The Twelve Tribes of Hattie'...
Shane W. Evans
Shane W. Evans 0000000038504360 Shane Evans is a renowned illustrator, artist and designer whose work has been recognized by The Boston Globe-Horn Book Award and The Orbis Pictus Award. His illustrat...
Olive Senior
Olive Senior 0000000110714769 Jamaican-born Olive Senior is an accomplished scholar, journalist, and editor. Educated at Carleton University and the Thomson Foundation, she's held roles at the Daily ...
V. Brooks Dunbar
V. Brooks Dunbar NONE Dr. V. Brooks Dunbar is a renowned author, speaker, and leadership consultant. Known as the Confidence Commander, she empowers individuals and organizations to unlock their pote...
Gwen Richardson
Gwen Richardson NONE Gwen Richardson, co-founder of Cushcity.com, the largest African-American internet retailer, is a successful entrepreneur and writer with a marketing degree from Georgetown Unive...
Tamiya Davis
Tamiya Davis NONE Tamiya Davis, a Virginia native, is a longshoreman, fashion entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker. Her achievements include running a rights restoration chapter, owning a f...
Jacquelin Thomas
Jacquelin Thomas NONE Award-winning author Jacquelin Thomas has published over 50 titles across romance, women’s fiction, inspirational, and young adult genres. She's received multiple awards includi...
Danez Smith
Danez Smith 0000000529080232 Danez Smith is an award-winning poet from St. Paul, Minnesota. Known for his works such as [insert] boy, his poetry explores themes of race, class, sexuality, faith, and ...
Panashe Chigumadzi
Panashe Chigumadzi 0000000454298041 Panashe Chigumadzi is an acclaimed Zimbabwean novelist and essayist, known for her award-winning debut novel, Sweet Medicine. A prominent voice in African literatu...
Davida Siwisa James
Davida Siwisa James NONE Davida Siwisa James, a globe-trotting author with roots in Philly and Harlem, has experience as a freelance journalist and has several published works, including an award-win...
Brian Egeston
Brian Egeston NONE Brian Egeston, a writer and former engineer, uses his jovial demeanor and humor to transfer emotion through his words. He began writing to combat boredom, turning his short stories...
Casey Gerald
Casey Gerald NONE Casey Gerald is the author of There Will Be No Miracles Here, a memoir that was named a Best Book of 2018 by NPR and The New York Times, a finalist for the LAMBDA Literary Award, a...
Suheir Hammad
Suheir Hammad 0000000084052510 Suheir Hammad, born October 25, 1973, is a Palestinian-American poet, author, performer, and activist renowned for her work in the spoken-word scene. She's had success ...
Kadija Sesay
Kadija Sesay NONE Kadija George is a renowned literary activist, poet, and publisher of Sierra Leonean descent. She's known for her debut poetry collection, Irki, and has edited numerous anthologies....
Kevin Coval
Kevin Coval 0000000053723529 Kevin Coval, author of ALA “Book of the Year†finalist Slingshots: A Hip-Hop Poetica, is the Artistic Director of Louder Than a Bomb: The Chicago Teen Poetry Festival...
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...
Troy CLE
Troy CLE 0000000036353335 Troy Tompkins, aka Troy CLE, is a New Jersey-based fiction writer known for “The Marvelous Effect,” the first installment of The Marvelous World Saga. A Seton Hall Preparato...
Parker-Nia Gordon
Parker-Nia Gordon NONE Parker-Nia Gordon grew up in the musical city of Memphis, Tennessee, home of rhythm and blues. She earned her BFA from Ringling College of Art and Design before returning to M...
Talitha L. LeFlouria
Talitha L. LeFlouria 0000000446216288 Talitha L. LeFlouria is an award-winning historian whose work centers Black women’s lived experiences within systems of forced labor, punishment, and resistance....
Cassandra Mack
Cassandra Mack NONE Cassandra Mack, founder of Strategies for Empowered Living Inc., is an author and life coach. Known for her blogs, books and radio appearances, she offers practical tools for succ...
Ilyasah Shabazz
Ilyasah Shabazz 000000004150744X Ilyasah Al-Shabazz, community organizer, activist, and daughter of Malcolm X, advocates for at-risk youth and interfaith dialogue. She's developed programs promoting ...
Janet V. Kennedy-Jacobs
Janet V. Kennedy-Jacobs NONE Janet V. Kennedy-Jacobs is a registered Church Business Consultant, specializing in compliance with federal and state regulations for churches and clergy. She is the Pres...
Natasha Tripplett
Natasha Tripplett NONE Natasha Tripplett, a Jewish-Jamaican American author based in Northern California, writes from a unique treehouse. Adopted by a Dutch Christian family, she grew up in Canada bu...
Malcolm D. Lee
Malcolm D. Lee 0000000041786688 Malcolm D. Lee is an award-winning writer, director, and producer whose celebrated work includes The Best Man, Girls Trip, Night School, and Space Jam: A New Legacy. ...
Wanjiku Wa Ngugi
Wanjiku Wa Ngugi NONE Wanjikũ Wa Ngũgĩ, author of 'The Fall of Saints', is a former director of the Helsinki African Film Festival. Her short stories and essays are featured in various publications i...
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 ...
Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor
Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor 0000000049060048 Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor is a renowned Kenyan writer, recognized for her contribution to literature and arts in Kenya. She won the 2003 Caine Prize for her story “...
Peter Kalu
Peter Kalu NONE Peter Kalu is an award-winning poet, fiction writer, and playwright from the UK. He began his writing career at Manchester's Moss Side Write black writers workshop and has produced ei...
Justin Phillip Reed
Justin Phillip Reed 0000000497688533 Justin Phillip Reed is a South Carolina-born author, known for his work in various publications and his MFA in poetry from Washington University. Recognized for h...
Hannibal B. Johnson
Hannibal B. Johnson NONE Harvard Law graduate Hannibal B. Johnson is an esteemed author, attorney, and consultant specializing in diversity and human relations. He's taught at prestigious universitie...
Glodean Champion
Glodean Champion NONE Glodean Champion is a multifaceted artist, educator, and coach based in Monterey, CA. She is a published author, whose work explores themes of sexuality, gender, and African Ame...
January Gill O’Neil
January Gill O’Neil NONE January Gill O’Neil, author of Rewilding, Misery Islands, and Underlife, is a former executive director of Massachusetts Poetry Festival and ex-Grisham Writer-in-Residence. C...
Stacy Spikes
Stacy Spikes NONE Stacy Spikes, co-founder of MoviePass and founder of Urbanworld Film Festival, is an award-winning entrepreneur and former film marketing executive. Recognized as one of the most in...
Willard Jenkins
Willard Jenkins 0000000114808113 Willard Jenkins, born in 1949, is an influential figure in jazz, serving as Artistic Director of the DC Jazz Festival, arts consultant, producer, educator, and journa...
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...
Greg Garrett
Greg Garrett 0000000046223577 Greg Garrett is a recognized voice on religion and culture in America, with work featured across major media outlets. He is the co-founder of the Long Long Way Film Fest...
William Byrd
William Byrd 0000000109367704 Dr. William “Super” Byrd, a Newark native, is an acclaimed author and educator specializing in Sports Education. A holder of multiple degrees and professional licenses, ...
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...
Paul Von Blum
Paul Von Blum NONE Paul Von Blum is a Senior Lecturer at UCLA with a rich history in African American Studies and Communication Studies. Since 1968, he has taught at UC Berkeley and UCLA. An esteemed...
Damien Echols and Lorri Davis
Damien Echols and Lorri Davis MULTIPLE Bestselling author and visual artist Damien Echols, known for his wrongful death row sentence and magick practice, has penned six books, including two with his ...
Rita Dove
Rita Dove 0000000114709625 Dove was U.S. Poet Laureate, 1993-1995 Rita Dove, former U.S. Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner, is known for her poetry collections, novel, and drama. She's been reco...
Tanita S. Davis
Tanita S. Davis NONE Tanita S. Davis, award-winning author of six novels for young readers, is known for “Serena Says,” “Peas and Carrots,” and the Coretta Scott King Honor book, “Mare’s War.” A chat...
Patricia Smith
Patricia Smith 0000000110775334 Patricia Smith, celebrated poet and professor, is known for her direct and adventuresome style. She’s authored six books, including award finalists 'Blood Dazzler' and...
Larry Eugene Rivers
Larry Eugene Rivers NONE Dr. Larry E. Rivers is a distinguished educator with degrees from Fort Valley State College, Villanova University, Carnegie-Mellon University, and the University of London. H...
Osha Gray Davidson
Osha Gray Davidson 000000008280060X Osha Gray Davidson is a versatile author, writer, photographer, and podcaster known for his prolific contributions to renewable energy and environmental journalism...
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...
Meri Nana-Ama Danquah
Meri Nana-Ama Danquah 0000000036109658 Born in Ghana, Meri Nana-Ama Danquah moved to the U.S. at age six, growing up in Maryland. She briefly attended University of Maryland before pursuing acting an...
Sister Shiree Sarana
Sister Shiree Sarana NONE Sister Shiree Sarana is a renowned poetess, known for her powerful and enlightening poetry influenced by the teachings of Elijah Muhammad and Louis Farrakhan. She's been fea...
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...
Ben Brooks
Ben Brooks 0000000358343148 Ben Brooks, born in 1992, is a prolific author from Gloucestershire. Known for six novels including the AALBC bestseller 'Stories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different', Brook...
Charlotte Riley-Webb
Charlotte Riley-Webb NONE Charlotte Riley-Webb is an acclaimed illustrator from Stockbridge, Georgia, known for her award-winning work in six children's books, including The Entrance Place of Wonders...
Adam Bradley
Adam Bradley 0000000083830392 Adam Bradley, a professor of English at the University of Colorado Boulder, directs the Laboratory for Race and Popular Culture. He has authored six books and contribute...
Ash Cash
Ash Cash NONE Ash Exantus, also known as Ash Cash, is a renowned banking executive, personal finance expert, and author of six books, three of which are Amazon.com bestsellers. He serves as a head of...
Matt De La Peña
Matt De La Peña 0000000439804364 Matt de la Peña, a New York Times Bestselling author, has written six young adult novels and award-winning picture books. He received his MFA in creative writing fro...
Usain Bolt
Usain Bolt 0000000120374593 Usain Bolt, born August 21, 1986, is recognized as the fastest person ever timed. He holds world records in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay, won six Olympic gold medals, ...
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...
Celeste O. Norfleet
Celeste O. Norfleet 0000000044260796 Celeste O. Norfleet is a bestselling author of over 20 acclaimed novels, winner of six Romance Slam Jam awards, and recipient of the BRAB 2016 Frances Ray Lifetim...
Kim Coles
Kim Coles 0000000031521651 Kim Coles, best known for her role as “Synclaire” in FOX's 'Living Single', has starred in many TV programs including 'Frasier', 'Six Feet Under', and 'In Living Color'. Sh...