AALBC Search
Sarah Bird
Sarah Bird 000000011726115X Sarah Bird, acclaimed author of ten novels, is recognized for her literary contributions through awards like Texas Writer of the Year and the Texas Institute of Letters Li...
Joye M. Carter
Joye M. Carter NONE Dr. Joye Carter, M.D., first female and African American Chief Medical Examiner in the U.S, served in Washington, DC and Houston, Texas. Now a forensic pathology consultant and au...
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...
Martha Kennerson
Martha Kennerson NONE Martha Kennerson, a bestselling and award-winning author, uses her passion for reading and writing to create heartfelt stories. Known for her novels Choices and Consequences and...
Zetta Brown
Zetta Brown NONE Zetta Brown, owner of the successful L-L Publications based in Scotland, boasts an impressive portfolio including acclaimed books and a sister imprint, Logical-Lust. Also a Developme...
Charles Henry Rowell
Charles Henry Rowell NONE Charles Henry Rowell is the founder of Callaloo, a leading literary journal of the African diaspora. He's also an English professor at Texas A&M University in College Statio...
Teffanie Thompson
Teffanie Thompson NONE Teffanie Thompson, a Texas native and Seton Hill University's Writing Popular Fiction program graduate, has written numerous stories for children, teens, and ballerinas. Curren...
Chris Barton
Chris Barton 0000000082953972 Chris Barton, an award-winning, best-selling author, has written numerous children's books, drawing from a lifelong passion for storytelling. He grew up in Texas, nurtur...
Francis Ray
Francis Ray 0000000110715606 Francis Ray (1944-2013) was a celebrated Texas-based author and school nurse practitioner. Known for her bestsellers in Blackboard and Essence Magazine, her work includes...
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...
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...
Alan B. Govenar, Francis Edward Abernethy, Patrick B. Mullen
Alan B. Govenar, Francis Edward Abernethy, Patrick B. Mullen MULTIPLE Francis E. Abernethy was a notable English professor and editor at the Texas Folklore Society. Patrick B. Mullen is an English pr...
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...
Omar Ibn Said
Omar Ibn Said 0000000044762294 Omar Ibn Said (1770-1864) was a Senegalese-born writer and Islamic scholar, enslaved and brought to the US in 1807. Despite his circumstances, he authored historic and ...
Natasha Owens
Natasha Owens NONE Southern girl Natasha Owens is a devoted mother and Christian with a love for soul music and comfort food. Despite struggles with weight and eyesight, she pursued higher education....
Pinkie Gordon Lane
Pinkie Gordon Lane 0000000025290746 Pinkie Gordon Lane (1923-2008) was an influential poet, editor, and educator. Born in Philadelphia, she overcame hardships to earn degrees from Spelman College and...
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...
Jacqueline • Jones
Jacqueline • Jones NONE Jacqueline Jones, born in 1948, is a distinguished professor of history at the University of Texas, Austin. She's the author of notable works including 'Saving Savannah', 'Ame...
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...
Daina Ramey Berry
Daina Ramey Berry 0000000035859190 Dr. Daina Ramey Berry is an award-winning historian and professor at the University of Texas at Austin, specializing in gender and slavery history in the US. A Dist...
Evelyn Palfrey
Evelyn Palfrey NONE Evelyn Palfrey, a native Texan, is a graduate of Southern Methodist University and the University of Texas Law School. As an attorney and writer, she's known for her romantic susp...
Varian Johnson
Varian Johnson 0000000049306941 Varian Johnson is an award-winning author of children and young adult novels, including 'The Parker Inheritance' and 'The Great Greene Heist'. His works have received ...
Allen Bernard West
Allen Bernard West NONE Allen Bernard West is a decorated military veteran, former US Congressman, and notable contributor to media and policy organizations. His military legacy spans four generation...
Arlington R. Callies
Arlington R. Callies NONE Arlington R. Callies, born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, is an author, experienced AAU Basketball and Track coach, and real estate broker. He has written a book about AA...
Raúl the Third
Raúl the Third NONE Raúl the Third, a three-time Pura Belpré Award winner, is known for illustrating the bestselling Stuntboy and writing the popular Lowrider series. His work, including contributi...
Nathan Harris
Nathan Harris 0000000047365403 A 2021 National Book Foundation “5 Under 35” Honoree Nathan Harris, an award-winning author, holds an MFA from the University of Texas and lives in Austin. K...
Kimberly Thacker Webb
Kimberly Thacker Webb NONE Kimberly Thacker Webb, a Dallas native, is a Howard University and Texas Wesleyan School of Law graduate. An accomplished author and powerful speaker, she's also had a succ...
Samson Bimbo Adenugba
Samson Bimbo Adenugba NONE Samson Bimbo Adenugba, a Houston-based Nigerian painter/illustrator, is known for his contributions to the 2023 children's book 'Juneteeth' and the Juneteenth mural in Texa...
Courtney Kelly
Courtney Kelly NONE Courtney Kelly, originally from New Orleans, is a civil engineer and project manager with a career in infrastructure projects. She holds degrees from Southern Methodist University...
Erin Nielson
Erin Nielson NONE Erin Nielson is a Texas-based freelance illustrator known for her whimsical artwork often featuring animals. She has clients like BYU Independent Study and Cincinnati Children’s Hos...
Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey
Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey MULTIPLE Jerome and Jarrett Pumphrey are award-winning authors and illustrators known for works like 'The Old Truck' and 'There Was a Party for Langston'. Jerome ...
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...
Tony Ginyard
Tony Ginyard NONE Tony Ginyard is a former US Air Force Law Enforcement Specialist from Philadelphia. He has lived in Europe, California, Texas, and New Jersey, and now resides in South Philadelphia ...
Roger Reeves
Roger Reeves 0000000438834254 Roger Reeves, author of 'King Me', is a distinguished poet based in Austin, Texas. He has been honored with a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship and a Ruth Lilly...
Jason Overstreet
Jason Overstreet NONE Jason Overstreet is a full-time fiction writer based in Los Angeles. With a BA and MS from Southern California universities, he spent a decade in education before attending UCLA...
Dan Jakana
Dan Jakana NONE Dan Jakana was born on July 4, 1955, in Kampala, Uganda, where he attended both elementary and high school. In 1973, he enrolled in the University of Texas at El Paso College of Busi...
Tamara Nicole Pizzoli
Tamara Nicole Pizzoli NONE Dr. Tamara Pizzoli, originally from Killeen, Texas, is a devoted mother and prolific author who divides her time between Italy, America, and her creative mind, writing hear...
Karen Celestan
Karen Celestan NONE Karen Celestan is a skilled writer and editor at Texas Southern University, where she also teaches English. She has prior experience as a senior program manager for Music Rising a...
Nelly Rosario
Nelly Rosario 0000000114903006 Dominican American novelist and creative writing instructor, Nelly Rosario (born 1972), is currently teaching in the MFA Program at Texas State University. Born in the ...
Ai Ogawa
Ai Ogawa 0000000368573553 Ai Ogawa (1947-2010), born Florence Anthony, was a prominent poet and author awarded with the American Book Award and a National Book Award. She authored seven books of poet...
Omise’eke Natasha Tinsley
Omise’eke Natasha Tinsley 0000000110024215 Omise’eke Natasha Tinsley is an associate professor at the University of Texas, specializing in African Diaspora Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies. She...
Ashley D. Farmer
Ashley D. Farmer NONE Ashley D. Farmer is an assistant professor at the University of Texas-Austin, specializing in history and African and African Diaspora Studies. Ashley D. Farmer is assistant pro...
Debbie Allen
Debbie Allen 0000000114435847 Debbie Allen, born in 1950, is a bestselling children's book author, actress, dancer, and choreographer from Houston, Texas. She is renowned for her role in the 1982 ser...
Eli Reed
Eli Reed 0000000084169217 Eli Reed, renowned Magnum photographer since 1988, studied illustration and political science, and became famous for his work in Central America. The author of acclaimed boo...
Tim Madigan
Tim Madigan 0000000114620276 Tim Madigan, award-winning writer for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, was twice named Texas Reporter of the Year. He's the author of 'See No Evil: Blind Devotion and Bloods...
Bethany Hegedus
Bethany Hegedus NONE Bethany Hegedus, an award-winning author of children's books and middle-grade novels, is a former educator who loves mentoring young writers. She owns the Writing Barn, a writing...
Beyoncé
Beyoncé 0000000114914936 Beyoncé Knowles, born September 4, 1981, is a Grammy-winning singer and actress from Houston, Texas. Known as the lead singer of Destiny's Child, she has also had a successfu...
Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert
Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert NONE Dr. Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert is a Texas-based educator, literacy consultant, and author of over 20 children's books, many of which celebrate African American culture and h...
A. G. Ford
A. G. Ford NONE A.G. Ford is a renowned illustrator, credited with New York Times bestsellers 'Barack', 'Michelle', and 'Goal!'. He resides in Dallas, Texas. A. G. Ford is the illustrator of the New ...
Toni Tipton-Martin
Toni Tipton-Martin 0000000035718195 Toni Tipton-Martin is an award-winning food journalist and community activist, recognized for her efforts to promote healthier communities. She's a recipient of th...
camika c. spencer
camika c. spencer NONE Camika C. Spencer, a Dallas native, is a best-selling author known for her unique storytelling. After studying broadcasting, she discovered her writing talent at Black Images B...
Sly Stone
Sly Stone 0000000117772064 Sly Stone, born Sylvester Stewart in 1943, is a multi-talented American original from Denton, Texas. Known for his brief careers in doo-wop and radio before creating Sly an...
Brentom Jackson
Brentom Jackson NONE Brentom “Chuck” Jackson is a Texas-based psychotherapist and author, exploring universal themes within Black American culture. His debut children's book, “Elijah's Easter Suit,” ...
Melvin Patrick Ely
Melvin Patrick Ely 0000000030403653 Melvin Patrick Ely is an acclaimed author and historian specializing in African American and Southern history. His prize-winning book, 'Israel on the Appomattox', ...
Robert Paul Jr.
Robert Paul Jr. NONE Robert Paul Jr., a St. Lucia-born illustrator and character designer, aims to enrich children's lives through storytelling. Now based in Houston, Texas with his family, his work ...
Jacqueline Bacon
Jacqueline Bacon 0000000114891017 Jacqueline Bacon, an independent scholar and Ph.D. in English from the University of Texas, focuses on historical language, empowerment, and social justice. Her rese...
Lynda Jones Mubarak
Lynda Jones Mubarak NONE Dr. Lynda Jones Mubarak, a native Texan and passionate educator, has dedicated her life to teaching and writing. Known for her works that promote personal growth, she's also ...
Melvin Tolson
Melvin Tolson NONE Melvin B. Tolson Sr. (1898-1966) was a Modernist poet, educator, and politician from Missouri, known for his work on the African American experience and the Harlem Renaissance. His...
Sydney McGee
Sydney McGee NONE “McGee is the youngest bestselling author in AALBC.com History!” Sydney McGee, also known as “Sydney Sunshine”, is a young author from Houston, Texas, known for her uniqu...
Rivers Solomon
Rivers Solomon 0000000493415300 Rivers Solomon, a US-born author based in the UK, is known for her debut novel “An Unkindness of Ghosts”, an afrofuturistic blend of speculative and literary elements ...
Blacc Topp
Blacc Topp NONE Blacc Topp, an award-winning author born in Benton Harbor, MI, and raised in South Dallas, used his love for writing to navigate personal loss and a challenging upbringing. From journ...
Novuyo Rosa Tshuma
Novuyo Rosa Tshuma 0000000430427881 Novuyo Rosa Tshuma, a Zimbabwe-born author based in Texas, is known for her prizewinning short story collection, Shadows. A graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop,...
Cyrus Cassells
Cyrus Cassells 0000000067291069 Cyrus Cassells is a celebrated author and poet, known for award-winning works such as The Mud Actor and Beautiful Signor. He is a Pulitzer Prize nominee, recipient of ...
Alice Wootson
Alice Wootson NONE Alice Greenhowe Wootson is a retired teacher and acclaimed author of thirteen novels, including romance and romantic suspense. A prize-winning poet, member of various writers' asso...
Ned Sublette
Ned Sublette 0000000108555156 Ned Sublette, born in 1951, is a talented composer, musician, and author hailing from Texas. Known for his work in Spanish Classical Guitar, he is also a renowned musico...
Saeed Jones
Saeed Jones 0000000365991477 Saeed Jones, award-winning author of 'Prelude to Bruise', is known for his work at BuzzFeed as an LGBT and Culture editor, as well as co-host of AM to DM. Born in Memphis...
Patrice Caldwell
Patrice Caldwell NONE Patrice Caldwell, a Wellesley College alumna, is the founder of People of Color in Publishing. She's an ex-children's book editor, current literary agent, and author, known for ...
Elizabeth Savage
Elizabeth Savage NONE Elizabeth Navarette Savage, native of Texas, is the CEO of S.T.A.N.D, a non-profit organization against domestic violence. As an author, public speaker, and survivor, she inspir...
Meredith Davis and Rebeka Uwitonze
Meredith Davis and Rebeka Uwitonze MULTIPLE Meredith Davis, a former bookstore worker and children's book writers' society founder from Austin, Texas, holds an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. ...
Daina Ramey Berry and Kali Nicole Gross
Daina Ramey Berry and Kali Nicole Gross MULTIPLE Daina Ramey Berry, a History Professor and associate dean at the University of Texas, and Kali Nicole Gross, Martin Luther King Jr. Professor of Histo...
Joshunda Sanders
Joshunda Sanders NONE Joshunda Sanders is an accomplished journalist, federal speechwriter, and educator based in the Bronx. She's worked for top US news organizations and served as Press Secretary i...
Jarid Manos
Jarid Manos NONE Jarid Manos is an accomplished author and the CEO of Great Plains Restoration Council. Known for his contributions to notable publications, he's a national speaker, health advocate, ...
Lalanii Wilson-Jones and Treavion Davenport
Lalanii Wilson-Jones and Treavion Davenport MULTIPLE Lalanii Wilson-Jones is a Dallas-based entrepreneur involved in Home Health Care, Hospice, Child Care, and event planning, as well as mentoring em...
Jarrett Pumphrey
Jarrett Pumphrey NONE Award-winning author-illustrator Jarrett Pumphrey, with his brother Jerome, creates acclaimed children's books like “The Old Truck” and “There Was a Party for Langston.” Based n...
Jerome Pumphrey
Jerome Pumphrey NONE Jerome Pumphrey is a celebrated designer, illustrator, and writer known for multiple acclaimed works like The Old Truck and It’s a Sign!. Collaborating with his brother Jarrett, ...
Noel A. Obiora
Noel A. Obiora NONE Noel A. Obiora, originally from Nigeria, is a law graduate from the University of Texas and a Senior Public Utilities Counsel in California. He also holds an M.A. in Text and Perf...
Emmanuel Acho
Emmanuel Acho NONE Emmanuel Acho, a former NFL player turned Fox Sports Analyst and Host/Producer of “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man.” He is also Forbes' 30 under 30 honoree and the you...
Anna Myers
Anna Myers 0000000067526788 Anna Myers, an acclaimed author of 20 youth books and Oklahoma Writers' Hall of Fame member, is a native of west Texas and longtime Oklahoma resident. She holds four Oklah...
Cynthia Leitich Smith
Cynthia Leitich Smith 0000000116543788 Cynthia Leitich Smith is a bestselling author of books across all ages. Known for her award-winning books like Hearts Unbroken, she also curates Heartdrum, a Na...
Leonard N. Moore
Leonard N. Moore NONE Leonard N. Moore is a renowned American History professor at the University of Texas, Austin. A Jackson State graduate, Moore authored three books on Black politics, notably 'Th...
Jamie Foxx
Jamie Foxx 0000000114506596 Jamie Foxx, born Eric Marlon Bishop, is an acclaimed actor, comedian, singer, musician, and producer from Terrell, Texas. He started in showbiz in 1989 and gained fame on ...
M. Genevieve West
M. Genevieve West NONE M. Genevieve West is an English Professor at Texas Woman’s University, renowned for her scholarly work on Zora Neale Hurston. She has contributed to esteemed academic journals ...
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...
Chinedu Achebe
Chinedu Achebe NONE Chinedu W. Achebe, a Nigerian American author, published his first book in 2012 and its sequel in 2017. He's contributed to the Huffington Post, Medium, and Bella Naija. A Univers...
Brene Brown
Brene Brown 0000000034192910 Brene Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston and visiting professor at UT Austin, studies courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. She's authored six...
Karen Walrond
Karen Walrond NONE Karen Walrond is a lawyer, leadership coach, activist, and senior director for Brené Brown Education and Research Group. She's a Certified Dare To Lead™ Facilitator, photographe...
Rick Rigsby
Rick Rigsby NONE Rick Rigsby, Ph.D., is a renowned motivational speaker, author, and ex-college football coach from Texas. Widely recognized for his stirring speeches on leadership and personal respo...
Erika Lynne Jones
Erika Lynne Jones NONE Erika Lynne Jones, a children's book author and illustrator, uses her work to celebrate culture and affirm children's worth. Known for “The Loud Librarian” and based in Dallas,...
John Harris
John Harris 0000000114527290 John Harris is a seasoned journalist, experienced in covering sports, culture, and race. He has written for major publications and networks. Co-author of 'From Gold Teeth...
Jasmine L. Harris
Jasmine L. Harris NONE Dr. Jasmine L. Harris is an associate professor at the University of Texas, San Antonio, specializing in African American Studies. Her research focuses on the experiences of Bl...
Karen Good Marable
Karen Good Marable NONE Karen Good Marable, a Texas-born writer, is known for her essays and music journalism. Her work has been featured in The New Yorker, Oxford American, and more. She now resides...
Tim Ross
Tim Ross 0000000034443994 Tim Ross, born in Inglewood, California, turned from aspiring law enforcement officer to dedicated preacher after giving his life to Jesus Christ in 1996. He has served in v...
Kathy Whitehead
Kathy Whitehead NONE Kathy Whitehead, a former elementary teacher, now writes children's literature inspired by her love for history. Her work includes a picture book biography about African-American...
Ruth J. Simmons
Ruth J. Simmons 0000000041673982 Dr. Ruth J. Simmons, born in 1945, is an esteemed academic leader, having served as president of Smith College, Brown University, and Prairie View A&M University. She...
Melania Luisa Marte
Melania Luisa Marte NONE Melania Luisa Marte is a New York-based writer, poet, and musician, known for her viral poem “Afro-Latina.” With over nine million views, her work is recognized by platforms ...
Monica Anderson
Monica Anderson 000000006312663X Monica “Dr. Moe” Anderson, DDS, is an accomplished author, motivational speaker, and dental surgeon. She penned the Essence bestseller 'When A Sistah’s Fed Up' and is...
M.W. Moore
M.W. Moore NONE M.W. Moore, former NCAA track champion and recovering addict, is a renowned speaker on addiction and its consequences. Known for his courage and transparency, Moore openly shares his ...
Peniel E. Joseph
Peniel E. Joseph 0000000115111895 Peniel E. Joseph, historian and professor at The University of Texas, is the founding director of the LBJ School’s Center for the Study of Race and Democracy. Specia...
Opal Lee
Opal Lee NONE The “Grandmother of Juneteenth” Opal Lee is a living legend whose tireless activism and infectious determination helped turn the long-held dream of a national Juneteenth holiday into re...