AALBC Search
Brian Peterson
Brian Peterson 0000000026606618 Brian Petersen is a notable figure who appeared alongside Faith Cottrell at the 2000 National African American Cultural Expo in Philadelphia. Brian Petersen is picture...
Dorothy M. Hazzard
Dorothy M. Hazzard NONE "Dorothy M. Hazzard, pictured with author Tracy Grant at the 2000 National African American Cultural Expo at the Philadelphia Convention Center.” Dorothy M. Hazzard is picture...
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...
Irene Luxbacher
Irene Luxbacher 0000000078506870 Irene Luxbacher is a renowned Canadian artist, author, and children's book illustrator. With degrees in Art History and Fine Art, she has gained acclaim through her a...
Yvonne Bynoe
Yvonne Bynoe NONE Yvonne Bynoe is an acclaimed author, cultural critic, and founder of the popular online art platform, @SHELOVESBLACKART. She made her curatorial debut in 2022, focusing on lost or e...
Andre R. Thornton
Andre R. Thornton NONE Andre R. Thornton, an African American poet and visual artist, aims to challenge common misconceptions through his work. Based in Columbia, Maryland, his diverse creations rang...
Greenwood Art Project
Greenwood Art Project NONE The Greenwood Art Project, an initiative of the 1921 Tulsa Massacre Centennial Commission, aims to unite Tulsa through art, raising awareness of Greenwood's history and the...
Keith Mallett
Keith Mallett 0000000033964456 Keith Duncan Mallett, born in 1948, is a prominent artist trained in New York City. He spent 15 years as the in-house artist for Frontline Art Publishers and now works ...
Grace Aneiza Ali
Grace Aneiza Ali NONE Grace Aneiza Ali is a Curator, Assistant Professor, and Provost Fellow at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. She specializes in socially engaged art, global contemporary art, and C...
Halima Taha
Halima Taha NONE Halima Taha is a renowned advocate for African and African-American art, known for her educational initiatives and influential writings. Her contributions have spearheaded recognitio...
E. B. Lewis
E. B. Lewis 0000000367331472 E.B. Lewis, an award-winning illustrator, has worked on over 70 children's books. Inspired by his uncles, he developed his artistic skills from a young age and later spec...
Siku
Siku 0000000065618187 Siku is a multifaceted British artist, author, theologian, and musician, renowned for his comic book/concept art. He has worked with 2000AD, Marvel UK, and COM X, producing nota...
Benny Andrews
Benny Andrews 0000000066753102 Benny Andrews (1930-2006) was an American painter, printmaker, and educator known for his expressionist style. Born and raised in Georgia, he was the first in his famil...
Philemona Williamson
Philemona Williamson NONE Philemona Williamson, a renowned contemporary artist based in New Jersey, is known for her solo shows and group exhibitions. Her work, often exploring interpersonal relation...
Kimberly Drew
Kimberly Drew 0000000495858893 Kimberly Drew is a passionate writer, curator, and activist with a focus on art, fashion, and cultural studies. She's the Social Media Manager at The Met, a board membe...
Jenin Mohammed
Jenin Mohammed NONE Jenin Mohammed, a talented illustrator from Florida, is renowned for her humorous and captivating art. Winner of the 2020 Summer Spectacular Illustration Grand Prize, her unique s...
Brett T. Brown
Brett T. Brown NONE Brett Tyler Brown, born in 1997, is a talented self-taught artist inspired by Chicago's architecture. His passion for art extends to architecture, animation, and writing. He wrote...
Markia Jenai
Markia Jenai NONE Markia Jenai, a Michigan-born illustrator and graduate of Kendall College of Art and Design, is known for her diverse and culturally inspired children's books. She's currently pursu...
Nicole R. Fleetwood
Nicole R. Fleetwood 0000000077155263 Dr. Nicole R. Fleetwood, a renowned writer, curator, and professor at Rutgers University, is recognized for her influential work on art and mass incarceration. Sh...
Kah Yangni
Kah Yangni NONE Kah Yangni, a Philadelphia-based illustrator, creates art focusing on justice, queerness, and joy. With work featured by The New York Times, Vice Media, and in the Philadelphia Museum...
Q. B. Wells
Q. B. Wells NONE Q.B. Wells, founder of Art Official Media LLC, is a publisher of urban-themed books and media. Wells also writes for various urban literature outlets. An entrepreneur and former educ...
Wil Clay
Wil Clay NONE Wil Clay, a renowned artist, began his journey in art at a young age. He studied at prestigious art institutions before establishing studios in Providence and Houston. Initially focusin...
Leo and Diane Dillon
Leo and Diane Dillon MULTIPLE “In terms of our art, it is virtually impossible to consider us separately,” During more than four decades of illustrating children’s books, two-time Caldeco...
Pamela C. Rice
Pamela C. Rice NONE Pamela C. Rice is an acclaimed children's author and illustrator with over 25 books to her credit. Notable for her artistic collaborations and warm illustrations, Rice's works dra...
Laetitia Ky
Laetitia Ky 0000000524196957 Laetitia Ky is an Ivory Coast-based multi-talented artist known for using her hair as a sculptural medium to address social justice issues. Her debut book, Love and Justi...
Art T. Burton
Art T. Burton NONE Art T. Burton, a retired history professor from South Suburban College, Illinois, authored notable books on African American Scouts and Soldiers, and Black and Indian Gunfighters o...
Jennie Poh
Jennie Poh 0000000485139027 Jennie Poh, an English-born artist raised in Malaysia, is renowned for her quirky and beautiful illustrations. Trained in ballet, she studied Fine Art and Fashion Illustra...
Nikki Marsh
Nikki Marsh NONE Florida-based author Nikki Marsh, a former educator and counselor, writes young adult historical fiction. She loves jewelry making, antiquing, and exploring international art and cul...
Dawoud Bey
Dawoud Bey 0000000078367946 Dawoud Bey, born in 1953, is an acclaimed international photographer whose work has been exhibited at prestigious museums. He's also an author and a distinguished professo...
Manzel Bowman
Manzel Bowman NONE Manzel Bowman is a distinguished Afrofuturist artist known for his digital illustrations that merge technology with spiritual and natural motifs. His art explores identity, humanit...
Montaysia Yuneek Sims
Montaysia Yuneek Sims NONE Montaysia Yuneek Sims is an illustrator and Art Activist who creates from a place of community and encouragement. Besides children's books, Montaysia enjoys drawing for the...
Ezra Jack Keats
Ezra Jack Keats 0000000370477827 Ezra Jack Keats (1916-1983) was a pioneering children's book author and illustrator known for introducing multiculturalism into mainstream American literature. Despit...
Nikkolas Smith
Nikkolas Smith NONE Nikkolas Smith, a Texan Artivist, picture book author, and Hollywood illustrator, creates influential art that sparks social justice discussions. Known for his NAACP Image Award-n...
Bernette Ford
Bernette Ford 0000000038486553 Bernette Ford, founder of COLOR-BRIDGE BOOKS, was a renowned children's book packager and consultant, and an advocate for diversity in children's literature. She held s...
Antwaun Sargent
Antwaun Sargent 000000049991731X Antwaun Sargent is an acclaimed art critic and writer, contributing to The New York Times, The New Yorker, Vice, and various museum publications. He authored his firs...
Anthony Pugh
Anthony Pugh NONE Anthony Pugh is a versatile creative professional with experience in marketing, advertising, storyboard art, character design, and comic book art. He has collaborated with prominent...
Sean Qualls
Sean Qualls NONE Sean Qualls is a renowned Brooklyn-based author, artist, and children's book illustrator. Known for his work on 'Dizzy' and 'Freedom Song', Qualls' illustrations also feature in maga...
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 ...
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...
Albert Murray
Albert Murray 0000000083695821 Albert L. Murray (1916-2013) was a respected critic, novelist, and biographer. Born in Alabama, he divided his time between teaching and serving in the air force before...
London Ladd
London Ladd NONE London Ladd, a Syracuse University graduate and accomplished illustrator, uses acrylic paint and paper to bring his vibrant colors to life. His work, often recognized by prestigious ...
Allan Eitzen
Allan Eitzen 000000006320495X Allan Eitzen, from Mountain Lake, Minnesota, is an accomplished illustrator educated at Gustavus Adolphus College, the Institute of Art, and the University of the Arts. ...
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...
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...
Adrienne Wright
Adrienne Wright 0000000499939148 Adrienne Wright, a South African native, is a graduate of the College of Art and Design in Johannesburg. She is experienced in illustration, art direction, and graphi...
Jeanne Walker Harvey
Jeanne Walker Harvey 0000000080644033 Jeanne Walker Harvey, a devoted docent at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, is a Stanford University graduate in literature and psychology. She believes in...
Jerry Pinkney
Jerry Pinkney 0000000063081603 Jerry Pinkney (December 22, 1939 – October 20, 2021) has been illustrating children’s books since 1964. In addition to his work on children’s books, he is an ext...
Randell Pearson
Randell Pearson NONE Randell Pearson, a Jersey City native and Brooklyn-raised graphic designer and illustrator, boasts over 30 years of experience and numerous awards. His education includes The Hig...
Kellie Jones
Kellie Jones 0000000076890717 Kellie Jones is an Associate Professor at Columbia University specializing in African American and African Diaspora artists, Latinx and Latin American Artists, and conte...
Nicole Tadgell
Nicole Tadgell 0000000038118670 Nicole Tadgell is a renowned watercolor artist and art director with over 20 years of experience. Known for her award-winning children's books, she also leads art work...
Keturah A. Bobo
Keturah A. Bobo NONE AALBC Mourns Keturah’s Passing October 2025 Keturah Ariel Bobo is a NY Times bestselling illustrator and artist from Columbus, Ohio, recognized for her vibrant, relatable ar...
Melissa Koby
Melissa Koby NONE Melissa Koby, a Jamaican-born illustrator based in Tampa, uses art as a form of self-healing. Her faceless figures encourage viewers to see themselves in her work, focusing on emoti...
Kitt Thomas
Kitt Thomas NONE Katelan “Kitt” Thomas is a Lucian-American author-illustrator and graduate of Ringling College of Art and Design. She uses her art to celebrate Black culture and promote inclusion. K...
Lorna Goodison
Lorna Goodison 0000000354889186 Jamaican-born Lorna Goodison, a former painter and art teacher, turned professional writer and acclaimed poet. Educated in Jamaica and New York, she has been honored w...
Michael Datcher
Michael Datcher 0000000041395804 Michael Datcher is an award-winning poet, critic, and journalist. He co-hosts a weekly news magazine on 90.7 FM KPFK and his writing is widely anthologized. He's pres...
Claudia Rankine, Sampada Aranke, and Akili Tommasino
Claudia Rankine, Sampada Aranke, and Akili Tommasino MULTIPLE "Claudia Rankine is a Poetry Professor at Yale University. Sampada Aranke serves as an Art History, Theory, and Criticism Assistant Profe...
Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys
Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys MULTIPLE Grammy-winning icons Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys are not only musical powerhouses but also philanthropists and art advocates. Founders of the Dean Collection, the...
Supriya Kelkar
Supriya Kelkar 0000000498588577 Supriya Kelkar grew up in the Midwest, where she learned Hindi as a child by watching three Hindi movies a week. Winner of the New Visions Award for her middle grade ...
Rashidah Ismaili
Rashidah Ismaili 0000000031556002 Dr. Rashidah Ismaili AbuBakr is a writer of short stories, plays, and poetry. Originally from West Africa, Dr. AbuBakr has taught French and English Speaking ...
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...
Burrel Lee Wilks III
Burrel Lee Wilks III 0000000036967740 Burrel Lee Wilks III Born May 6, 1967 (pictured with AALBC founder in 2006 during Book Expo America) is a life coach, businessman, and the author of Tattoos On ...
Travis Hunter
Travis Hunter 000000001976938X Travis Hunter, author and mentor, gained recognition with his debut novel, The Hearts of Men. His published works include several successful novels and a young adult se...
Tony Dungy
Tony Dungy 0000000036530143 Tony Dungy, the first African American coach to lead the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl victory, has an impressive coaching history with multiple teams. Prior to coach...
Kazembe
Kazembe NONE Lasana Kazembe is a renowned poet, essayist, and lecturer, recognized for his performances at literary venues across Chicago. Garnering accolades such as the 1st Place Winner of the Gwen...
Daniel Henderson
Daniel Henderson 0000000016295318 Daniel B. Henderson Sr., also known as Smokey 'D', is a poet residing in Ashdown, AR. Born in 1956, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps and Air Force Reserves. He hol...
Charly Palmer
Charly Palmer 0000000036783693 Charly “Carlos” Palmer is a renowned artist, illustrator, and educator. Born in Alabama and trained in Chicago, he's famous for running a successful design studio and t...
Rafael López
Rafael López 0000000430746276 Rafael López is a renowned illustrator of NYT bestsellers and award-winning books. He's won Pura Belpré medals and other prestigious awards, including the Tomás River...
Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Jan Spivey Gilchrist 0000000067483263 Jan Spivey Gilchrist, a Ph.D. holder in English, has illustrated over 60 children's books since 1988, with numerous prestigious awards to her name. She's also an...
Eric Velasquez
Eric Velasquez 0000000424545187 Eric Velasquez, an Afro-Puerto Rican illustrator from Harlem, offers a unique cultural perspective in his work. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts, Velasquez has ...
Zavian Archibald
Zavian Archibald NONE Zavian Archibald is a children's book illustrator based in Antigua-Barbuda. A graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design, her work in illustration and animation is inspired ...
Craig Rex Perry
Craig Rex Perry NONE Craig Rex Perry, a renowned American fashion artist, is known for his unique style and illustrations. Trained at prestigious institutes, including the School of the Art Institute...
Jacqueline Alcantara
Jacqueline Alcantara NONE Jacqueline Alcántara is a freelance illustrator specializing in children’s literature. After teaching art and photography, she pursued projects featuring diverse main chara...
Tonya Engel
Tonya Engel NONE Tonya Engel, a self-taught painter from Houston, Texas, is renowned for her children's book illustrations and expressive figurative art inspired by southern folk artists. Notably, sh...
Kim Holt
Kim Holt NONE Kim Holt is a children's book illustrator with a BFA in Animation, known for her work in 'Today Is Different' and 'A Prayer for Our Country'. She aims to evoke memories through her art....
Mónica Paola Rodríguez
Mónica Paola Rodríguez NONE Mónica Paola RodrÃguez is a Puerto Rico-based children's book illustrator and animation artist. An alumnus of Savannah College of Art and Design, she has a global client...
Reginald C. Adams
Reginald C. Adams NONE Reginald C. Adams is a Houston-based public artist known for his award-winning murals and sculptures in historic and underserved US communities. His art is featured in the 2023...
Maryam Khalifah
Maryam Khalifah NONE Maryam is a digital illustrator, specializing in children’s picture books and cover art for chapter books. Maryam has completed picture book illustrations for several clien...
Kathleen Atkins Wilson
Kathleen Atkins Wilson NONE Kathleen Atkins Wilson is a prolific artist with 40+ published editions, showcased in galleries nationwide and online. Her extraordinary artwork has won prestigious awards...
Keith Henry Brown
Keith Henry Brown NONE Keith Henry Brown, illustrator of 'Birth of the Cool', began his career drawing superheroes and later combined his love for art and jazz as Lincoln Center's creative director. ...
Dawud Anyabwile
Dawud Anyabwile 0000000035762639 Dawud Anyabwile is an Emmy Award-winning artist and co-creator of the comic series, Brotherman. He has collaborated with Cartoon Network, NBA TV, and Nickelodeon as a...
Gregory Copeland
Gregory Copeland NONE Gregory Copeland is an award-winning illustrator who specializes in representational art and portraiture, as well as historical and horror/fantasy subjects. He paints both digit...
Steve Parke
Steve Parke 0000000121259052 Prince’s Former Art Director Steve Parke is an award-winning illustrator, designer, and photographer. He worked for Prince for 13 years as his in-house art director...
Art Neville, Aaron Neville, Charles Neville, Cyril Neville, and David Ritz
Art Neville, Aaron Neville, Charles Neville, Cyril Neville, and David Ritz MULTIPLE
Steven Walker
Steven Walker 0000000046359247 Steven Walker is a passionate artist with bachelor's and master's degrees in fine art. Recognized for his oil paintings, his work is showcased in galleries and private ...
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...
Gina Jarrell
Gina Jarrell NONE Gina Jarrell, an author/illustrator from Davenport, IA, earned her B.A. in Fine Art from Augustana College. Known for creating stories that resonate with children of all ages. Gina ...
Dan Nadel
Dan Nadel 0000000116423575 Dan Nadel is an accomplished author, renowned art critic, and curator. He has carved a niche in the art world with his insightful critiques and curated exhibitions. His wor...
Baba Wagué Diakité
Baba Wagué Diakité 0000000121436557 Baba Wagué Diakité, a Mali-born artist, found his roots in drawing before discovering claywork when he moved to the US. He has had numerous solo and group exhibi...
Andrew Feiler
Andrew Feiler NONE Author and fifth-generation Jewish Georgian is driven by community and the complexities of the American South. His art, shaped by history, culture, race, and tradition, aims to mak...
Carrolyn Pichet
Carrolyn Pichet NONE Carrolyn Pichet is a Washington native with a diverse career spanning from the Parole Board to the FBI. She holds degrees from Howard University and the University of Maryland an...
Rachel Eliza Griffiths
Rachel Eliza Griffiths 0000000527846142 Rachel Eliza Griffiths, a poet, photographer, and creative writing teacher, is renowned for her literary portraits, fine art photography, and lyric videos. She...
Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe
Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe 0000000083215402 Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, born in 1951, is a renowned artist with exhibitions worldwide, including at MoMA and the Whitney. Her work has been featured in Life,...
Dorothea Smartt
Dorothea Smartt 0000000035456594 Dorothea Smartt is a London-born poet with Barbadian roots, known for her significant contributions to British culture. As a former Live Artist at London's Institute ...
Nadja Sarell
Nadja Sarell 0000000456663196 Nadja Sarell is a Helsinki-based illustrator with an MA in Dance and a BA in Children's Publishing Illustration. She is a seasoned freelance illustrator and passionate a...
Phetote Mshairi
Phetote Mshairi NONE Phetote Mshairi is a multi-talented artist from Tulsa, Oklahoma. He's a poet, author, entrepreneur, performing artist, mentor, and more. With a B.B.A. in Business Management, Msh...
Marjorie M. Fisher, Peter Lacovara, and Salima Ikram
Marjorie M. Fisher, Peter Lacovara, and Salima Ikram MULTIPLE Marjorie M. Fisher, Peter Lacovara, Salima Ikram, and Sue D’Auria are all distinguished academics in the field of Egyptology. Chester Hig...
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...
Mannafest
Mannafest 000000010246435X Mannafest, founded by Khefri Riley and Vanessa Richards in 1995, is a creative hub that combines music, poetry, DJ culture, visual art, and new media. Their innovative perf...