AALBC Search
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...
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...
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...
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...
Michelle Donice
Michelle Donice NONE Michelle Donice, an Indianapolis native, is an accomplished academic and author dividing her time between inspiring youth and writing fiction in central Florida. She credits her ...
Hallema
Hallema NONE Hallema, a Miami-born writer and lawyer, holds degrees from Florida State University and Stetson University College of Law. Known for her spoken word poetry in South Florida, she's also ...
Preston L. Allen
Preston L. Allen NONE Preston L. Allen, a Boston and Miami native, is an award-winning author known for his engaging short stories. A recipient of the State of Florida Individual Artist Fellowship in...
Henrietta Mays Smith
Henrietta Mays Smith 0000000066593663 Dr. Henrietta M. Smith, Ph.D, is a distinguished scholar and editor with a background in English, History, and Library Science. She's known for her editorial wor...
Desmond Meade
Desmond Meade NONE Desmond Meade, president of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and chair of Floridians for a Fair Democracy, is a renowned advocate for voting rights. A former homeless retur...
Edwina Louise Dorch
Edwina Louise Dorch NONE Edwina Louise Dorch is a Ph.D. psychologist and minimalist artist based in Florida, specializing in painting female figures and seascapes. She uses art as a therapy tool to m...
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 ...
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...
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 ...
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...
Jessica Pryce
Jessica Pryce NONE Jessica Pryce, a Faculty at Florida State University, has 15 years of diverse experience in child welfare. She has trained 150+ organizations, promotes system-wide changes, and hol...
DeAndra Davis
DeAndra Davis NONE DeAndra Davis is a neurodivergent, Jamaican-American author who lives in the swampy heat of Florida. Her debut All the Noise at Once follows an autistic main character as messy as...
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-...
Nahum Thermidor
Nahum Thermidor NONE Nahum Thermidor is a University of South Florida alumnus, with a focus in Social Sciences (Criminology) and minors in International Business and Financing. He has a 13-year caree...
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...
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 ...
Christine Platt
Christine Platt NONE Christine Platt Patrick, also known as CP Patrick, is a Florida-born author specializing in African Diaspora narratives interlacing fiction and fantasy. She holds degrees in Afri...
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 ...
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...
Kelvin Bodley
Kelvin Bodley NONE Kelvin D. Bodley, a Chicago native and now Florida resident, is a social change advocate, author, and Minister of the Gospel. He served as the Special Assistant to Mayor Anthony Gr...
Nikesha Elise Williams
Nikesha Elise Williams NONE Nikesha Elise Williams is a two-time Emmy award–winning producer, an award–winning author, and producer and host of the Black & Published podcast. Her lat...
Bonnie J. Glover
Bonnie J. Glover NONE Born in Alabama and raised in Brooklyn, Bonnie J. Glover is a graduate of Florida A&M University and Stetson University College of Law. She has worked for the Housing Authority ...
Martin Munro
Martin Munro 0000000114992192 Martin Munro, a professor of French and Francophone Studies at Florida State University, specializes in Haitian Literature and American rhythm and race studies. He has a...
Catherine Mann
Catherine Mann 0000000121252993 Catherine Mann is a USA Today bestselling author and RITA Award winner who has written over 60 contemporary romance books. A former theater school director with degree...
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...
Darline Dorce-Coupet
Darline Dorce-Coupet NONE Darline Dorce-Coupet was born in Port-au-Prince Haiti but was raised in Miami, Florida, which was home for years. However, Ms. Dorce-Coupet has recently relocated...
Ersula Knox Odom
Ersula Knox Odom NONE Ersula Knox Odom is a renowned legacy writer and author with over 100 published articles and two biographies. She's also a motivational speaker, prize-winning lyricist, and port...
Herman J. Fountain Jr.
Herman J. Fountain Jr. NONE Rev. Dr. Herman J. Fountain Jr. is a retired psychotherapist with 20 years of experience in a Florida state prison and a former deputy warden in Kentucky. He spent 16 year...
Eric Deggans
Eric Deggans NONE Eric Deggans, NPR's first full-time TV critic, has served as a critic across various mediums and regularly comments on TV for National Public Radio. Raised in Indiana with a journal...
Tae Edmonds
Tae Edmonds NONE Jervonte “Tae” Edmonds is a versatile professional as a Realtor, Public Speaker, Entrepreneur, Educator, Author, and Philanthropist. He's the founder & CEO of Suits For Seniors, a pr...
April Maria Williams
April Maria Williams NONE April Maria Williams is a Juris Doctor from Florida A&M University College of Law and a Master of Tax Law from the University of Houston. A prominent advocate for social jus...
Lenzy Hancock
Lenzy Hancock NONE Lenzy Leroy-Hancock is a proud father of four children who serve as his primary inspiration to strive for greatness. A retired Department of Defense employee and a veteran of the ...
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...
Solomon Plaatje
Solomon Plaatje 000000010911853X Solomon 'Sol' Plaatje (1876-1932) was a pioneering South African intellectual, journalist, and writer, known for being the first General Secretary of the South Africa...
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...
Ashley Lynch-Harris
Ashley Lynch-Harris NONE Ashley Lynch-Harris is a renowned author known for her modern mysteries echoing Golden Age detective fiction. A member of the International Association of Crime Writers and a...
Blair S. Walker
Blair S. Walker NONE Blair S. Walker, a Baltimore native and son of educators, is a former army linguist and journalist for outlets like USA Today, New York Newsday, and the Washington Post. He is th...
Liz Walker
Liz Walker NONE Liz Walker is an Emmy-winning journalist, activist, and minister, known for her work in post-traumatic healing. A Harvard graduate, she served as Boston's first Black evening news anc...
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...
Aliona L. Gibson
Aliona L. Gibson NONE Aliona L. Gibson is an author and filmmaker with a passion for creativity and service. She published her first book, Nappy, and later the self-published For Black Writers. Inspi...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Nicole Sealey
Nicole Sealey NONE Nicole Sealey, originally from St. Thomas, U.S.V.I., is an acclaimed author and poet known for 'Ordinary Beast' and her award-winning chapbook. She's a recipient of numerous prizes...
Brittney Bond
Brittney Bond NONE Brittney Bond, a self-taught digital artist from Florida, now based in Maryland, is known for her use of appealing color palettes and magical themes in her work. Inspired by childr...
R.L. Byrd
R.L. Byrd NONE R.L. Byrd, born in Brunswick, Georgia, was raised by his grandparents and developed an “old soul” from their stories, shaping his writing style. Pursuing interests in Architecture and ...
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...
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...
Amina Gautier
Amina Gautier 0000000118109950 Dr. Amina Gautier, an award-winning author of three short story collections, is a scholar and professor specializing in African American literature. She teaches in the ...
Yemi Toure
Yemi Toure NONE Yemi Touré, born Ronald Leroy Finney in 1948, was a renowned book editor and freelance writer. Raised in South Carolina, he moved to Los Angeles in his teenage years. He is well-know...
Trevor Noah
Trevor Noah 0000000430715306 Trevor Noah, a successful African comedian and host of the award-winning 'The Daily Show', joined the show in 2014. He has multiple comedy specials, including his 9th, 'A...
Dantiel W. Moniz
Dantiel W. Moniz NONE A 2021 National Book Foundation “5 Under 35” Honoree Dantiel W. Moniz is an award-winning author, recognized by the Alice Hoffman Prize and Tin House Scholarship. Her...
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....
Latorial Faison
Latorial Faison NONE Faison is the Judge for Nubianpoets.com 2018 Nation Poetry Month Poetry Contest Latorial Faison is an American poet and author, known for her profound poetry reflecting her Africa...
Zakes Mda
Zakes Mda 0000000109273150 Zakes Mda is a South African novelist, playwright, and painter, currently a professor at Ohio University. He has won major literary awards in South Africa and the USA, incl...
Mark Mathabane
Mark Mathabane 0000000108774033 "Mark Mathabane is a South African author and human rights activist, known for his memoir 'Kaffir Boy' which sheds light on his life under apartheid. His works, transl...
Yewande Omotoso
Yewande Omotoso 0000000369299533 Yewande Omotoso, born in Barbados and raised in Nigeria, is an award-winning author and architect based in Johannesburg. She moved to South Africa in 1992 and has sin...
J.T. Smith
J.T. Smith 0000000117420835 J.T. Smith, a New Jersey-born author, developed a passion for reading and history at an early age. His interest in Black History and the Harlem Renaissance influenced his ...
Katheryn Russell-Brown
Katheryn Russell-Brown 0000000110004863 Katheryn Russell-Brown, author of award-winning book 'Little Melba and Her Big Trombone', is a Law professor and director of the Center for the Study of Race a...
Ibram X. Kendi
Ibram X. Kendi 0000000126860699 Ibram Xolani Kendi, an assistant professor of African American History at the University of Florida, is an award-winning author and former journalist. Kendi has receiv...
Larry Dane Brimner
Larry Dane Brimner 0000000082811384 Larry Dane Brimner, born 1949, is an award-winning author known for his innovative non-fiction for young readers. He won the 2018 Robert F. Sibert Award for his bo...
Lolita Files
Lolita Files 0000000067722180 Lolita Files, an accomplished African-American author, screenwriter, and producer, is known for her bestselling novels like 'Scenes from a Sistah' and 'Child of God'. Wi...
Anastasia Magloire Williams
Anastasia Magloire Williams NONE Anastasia Williams, Florida-based illustrator and graphic designer, uses her art to depict diverse adventures and untold stories. Known for embracing her Afro hair, a...
Gladys Jose
Gladys Jose 0000000500478247 Gladys Jose, an illustrator and storyteller, graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Fine Arts. She's known for illustrating books like Library ...
Mickey See-Asia
Mickey See-Asia NONE Michele D. Croswell, pen name Mickey See-Asia, is a New York-born author known for her impactful books that discuss her personal experiences with sexual abuse and empowering love...
Roy Glenn
Roy Glenn 0000000067434664 Roy Glenn, a renowned author famous for his vivid imagination, began his writing career with his self-published novel, “Is It a Crime.” The book birthed the popular charact...
Tammy Merkison
Tammy Merkison NONE Tammy Merkison, a dedicated writer and local model/actress from Central Florida, started her career in aviation maintenance but returned to her passion for creative writing in 200...
Hans J. Massaquoi
Hans J. Massaquoi 0000000078269078 Hans Massaquoi, former Ebony magazine editor and author, notably known for his memoir on his unique childhood in Germany, passed away at the age of 87 in Jacksonvil...
Gina Wilson Beckles
Gina Wilson Beckles NONE Gina Wilson Beckles, Ph.D., is the President and CEO of Program Evaluation Services, Inc. She teaches business administration at university, has 14+ years of experience in fe...
She Nell
She Nell NONE Nell is a devoted wife and mother living in Tampa, Florida. Blessed with three daughters, she cherishes her role as a child of the King. She Nell is a wife, mother, and daughter of the ...
Ayana Gray
Ayana Gray NONE Ayana Gray, a speculative author known for her love of monsters and myths, hails from Atlanta and now resides in Florida. She is a passionate reader, Formula One fan, and caretaker of...
Michelle D. Commander
Michelle D. Commander 0000000497642121 Dr. Michelle D. Commander is Deputy Director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. She is an interdisciplin...
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...
Paul Kellam
Paul Kellam NONE Paul Kellam is a Florida-based freelance watercolor illustrator known for adding vitality and color to books like Antonello Mellow Fellow. He holds a bachelor's degree in media arts ...
D.T. Pollard
D.T. Pollard NONE D.T. Pollard, an Essence Bestselling author from Texas, discovered his passion for writing at a young age but paused during college. After a 25-year career in technology sales, he r...
Angelia Vernon Menchan
Angelia Vernon Menchan NONE “There is abundance through God for all of us; we simply have to be open for our blessings.” Angelia Vernon Menchan, a prolific author based in Jacksonville, Fl...
Jevon Bolden
Jevon Bolden NONE Jevon Bolden, a Florida-based editor and writer, specializes in creating educational books for children and adults. She holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of A...
Lauren Gibaldi
Lauren Gibaldi NONE Lauren Gibaldi, a public librarian based in Orlando, Florida, is a renowned author known for works like 'The Night We Said Yes', 'Autofocus', 'This Tiny Perfect World', and coedit...
Del Sandeen
Del Sandeen NONE Del Sandeen is a Florida-based copy editor and speculative fiction writer. She made her debut with “This Cursed House” in 2024. Her work has been featured in FIYAH Magazine, Nightlig...
Shara Moon
Shara Moon NONE Shara Moon is a writer and amateur historian who enjoys exploring Black world history. She is a former college writing instructor with degrees from the University of Central Florida a...
Francina Dubose Brooks
Francina Dubose Brooks NONE Francina Dubose Brooks was born and raised in Florida, received her Master of Nonprofit Management, and Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Florida....
Fabienne Josaphat
Fabienne Josaphat 0000000001379199 "Fabienne Josaphat, an M.F.A. graduate from Florida International University, is an accomplished writer with works in various journals. 'Dancing in the Baron’s Shad...
Rosemari Mealy
Rosemari Mealy NONE Rosemari Mealy, J.D., Ph.D., is a renowned professor at CUNY, recognized for her community involvement and international human rights activism. She has worked in Cuba, supporting ...