AALBC Search
Blanche Richardson
Blanche Richardson NONE Blanche Richardson, a seasoned book editor and manager of Marcus Books, one of the oldest African American owned bookstores in the US, has contributed significantly to literat...
Debra Owsley
Debra Owsley NONE Debra Owsley, avid reader and hairstylist, transformed her passion into a business, Simply Said Reading Accessories and LitVersation. She collaborates with bestselling authors, book...
Christine Pauls
Christine Pauls NONE Christine Pauls, from Wilmington, DE, is an accomplished author of novels including her latest release “One Good Thing” (2017). Besides being a writer, she's an accountant in the...
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...
Stacey Lyn Evans
Stacey Lyn Evans NONE Stacey Lyn Evans, a renowned author and poet, has written for stage and TV, and performed her poetry nationwide. Her book REAL SOUL FOOD has made its way into major bookstores a...
Seina Wedlick
Seina Wedlick NONE Seina Wedlick is an avid reader and writer, often found exploring or at the beach with her family. She loves pairing books with snacks, visiting bookstores, and collecting postcard...
Robin DiAngelo
Robin DiAngelo 0000000043595922 DiAngelo Actively Supports Black-Owned Bookstores Robin DiAngelo, PhD, is a seasoned academic, author, and lecturer specializing in racial and social justice. She has o...
Char Adams
Char Adams NONE Char Adams is a reporter for NBC News' BLK, specializing in race, gender, and class issues. She has covered a wide range of topics, with her work featured in major publications includ...
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...
Naleighna Kai, Renee Bernard, J.L. Woodson, Joyce A Brown, D. J. McLaurin, Candy Jackson, Janice Pernell, Valarie Prince, Martha Kennerson, Susan D. Peters, Tanishia Pearson-Jones, and L. A. Lewis
Naleighna Kai, Renee Bernard, J.L. Woodson, Joyce A Brown, D. J. McLaurin, Candy Jackson, Janice Pernell, Valarie Prince, Martha Kennerson, Susan D. Peters, Tanishia Pearson-Jones, and L. A. Lewis MUL...
Roxane Gay
Roxane Gay 0000000434301581 Roxane Gay, renowned writer and editor, has contributed to numerous publications and anthologies. She's co-editor of PANK, essays editor for The Rumpus, and teaches writin...
Ibi Zoboi, Tracey Baptiste, Coe Booth, Dhonielle Clayton, Brandy Colbert, Jay Coles, Lamar Giles, Leah Henderson, Justina Ireland, Varian Johnson, Kekla Magoon, Jason Reynolds, Nic Stone, Renée Watson, Rita Williams-Garcia, and others
Ibi Zoboi, Tracey Baptiste, Coe Booth, Dhonielle Clayton, Brandy Colbert, Jay Coles, Lamar Giles, Leah Henderson, Justina Ireland, Varian Johnson, Kekla Magoon, Jason Reynolds, Nic Stone, Renée Watso...
Kayla Perrin
Kayla Perrin NONE Kayla Perrin, a USA TODAY and Essence bestselling author, is known for her mainstream and romance novels. Her first novel, Again, My Love, made it on Ingram's Top 50 Most Requested ...
Rosheena Beek
Rosheena Beek NONE Rosheena Beek (1969-2019) was a successful author and bookstore owner known for her best-selling book, “I Find It So Hard.” Her works, including the popular second edition “Mommy S...
Analeigh Sbrana
Analeigh Sbrana NONE Analeigh Sbrana is a writer and visual artist. She lives in California with her husband, daughter, and a chonky kitty named Rey. Her favorite things to do include wandering thro...
Krystal Marquis
Krystal Marquis NONE Krystal Marquis, a biology graduate and environmental manager, is a lifelong reader turned author. She began writing after accepting a NaNoWriMo Challenge, which led to her first...
Lynn Gaines
Lynn Gaines NONE Ohio-based artist, Lynn Gaines, works for American Greetings and enjoys creating children's book illustrations. She utilizes both traditional and digital mediums, drawing inspiration...
Carl Weber
Carl Weber 0000000111497479 Carl Weber, born in 1964, is a New York Times bestselling author and renowned African American author with over 20 novels. He's also the CEO of Urban Books LLC, one of the...
Cinque Brown
Cinque Brown NONE Cinque Brown, a Harlem native, is a full-time philosopher with a passion for questioning life. He's an avid learner with a focus on science and technology, and enjoys social comment...
Zoe Sivak
Zoe Sivak NONE Zoe Sivak is a historical fiction author and advocate for diversity, often exploring famous male figures from the perspective of overlooked women. Her debut novel is “Mademoiselle Revo...
Marc Lamont Hill
Marc Lamont Hill 0000000055257314 In November 2017 Marc Opened a boostore in Philadelphia Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books Dr. Marc Lamont Hill is a renowned intellectual voice, anthropologist of e...
Paulette Harper
Paulette Harper NONE Paulette Harper, an award-winning author and founder of WNL Coaching and Marketing Services, is an ordained Pastor and renowned inspirational speaker. She empowers women through ...
Tonya Duncan Ellis
Tonya Duncan Ellis NONE Tonya Duncan Ellis, acclaimed author of the Sophie Washington children's book series, combines her love for writing and travel in her books. Her award-winning series, aimed at...
Mark Doty, Martin Espada, Joy Harjo, Marilyn Nelson, Ishmael Reed, Sonia Sanchez, Yusef Komunyakaa, Afaa Michael Weaver, and Rita Dove
Mark Doty, Martin Espada, Joy Harjo, Marilyn Nelson, Ishmael Reed, Sonia Sanchez, Yusef Komunyakaa, Afaa Michael Weaver, and Rita Dove MULTIPLE Prominent authors Mark Doty, Martin Espada, Joy Harjo, ...
Naleighna Kai, Pat G’Orge Walker, Lisa Watson, Martha Kennerson, Michelle D. Rayford, Janice Pernell, J. L. Campbell, Kisha Green, and Terri Ann Johnson
Naleighna Kai, Pat G’Orge Walker, Lisa Watson, Martha Kennerson, Michelle D. Rayford, Janice Pernell, J. L. Campbell, Kisha Green, and Terri Ann Johnson MULTIPLE "Naleighna Kai, Pat G’Orge Walker, Li...
Regena Bryant
Regena Bryant NONE Author Regena Bryant honored a pact with her nephew, resulting in three contemporary women's fiction novels with romantic elements. Her works explore the complexity of love in mode...
Itah Sadu
Itah Sadu NONE Itah Sadu, an award-winning author and bookstore owner, is known for sharing diverse oral traditions and creating youth programs. She's a founder of several initiatives like the Emanci...
Ashley Antoinette and JaQuavis Coleman
Ashley Antoinette and JaQuavis Coleman MULTIPLE Ashley Antoinette & JaQuavis Coleman are the youngest African American co-authors to appear twice on the New York Times bestsellers list. Discovered by...
Amy Watkins
Amy Watkins NONE Amy Watkins, an award-winning author and physician, is known for her fictional works addressing social issues. A former Navy physician, she now practices family medicine in Virginia....
Yonder
Yonder 000000009362885X "Yonder, author of the erotic and humorous 'What I do is Taboo' series, provides readers with a unique blend of fantasy and reality. Inspired by favorite authors, Yonder embar...
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...
Haki Madhubuti
Haki Madhubuti 0000000114735014 Haki R. Madhubuti, a leading figure in Black literature, is a poet, publisher, editor, and educator. With over 30 published books and 3 million copies in print, he's o...
Bethany Baptiste
Bethany Baptiste NONE Bethany Baptiste is an inner-city educator by day and a young adult SFF novelist by night. If she's not writing a lesson plan or a story, she does retail therapy in Florida boo...
Nikole Hannah-Jones
Nikole Hannah-Jones 0000000454752515 Nikole Hannah-Jones, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for The New York Times, is known for her work on racial injustice and the 1619 Project. A MacArthur Genius Gr...
William Craft and Ellen Craft
William Craft and Ellen Craft MULTIPLE William and Ellen Craft, escaped slaves from Georgia, became famous fugitives in the 1840s. Disguised as a white man and his servant, they reached the North and...
Johnie Jay
Johnie Jay NONE Author Johnie Jay, known for his passion, made a successful debut in 2013 with his novel, “Inevitable Act I” ranking #1 on Amazon's women fiction list. Recognized by Black Expressions...
Nia Damali
Nia Damali NONE Nia Damali, owner of Medu Bookstore and a prominent figure in the Black Book Ecosystem, is dedicated to promoting literacy and knowledge within the Black community. Editor of historic...
Damon Wayans
Damon Wayans 000000005928060X Damon Wayans, a NY Times bestselling author and award-winning actor from a renowned Hollywood family, is known for his roles in 'In Living Color' and 'My Wife and Kids'....
Grant Harper Reid
Grant Harper Reid NONE Dr. Grant Harper Reid, author of award-winning biography, “Rhythm For Sale,” explores the life of his grandfather, influential theatre producer Leonard Harper. An arts graduate...
Ronald Fair
Ronald Fair 0000000116782340 Chicago-born African-American author, Ronald L. Fair, inspired by Richard Wright, carved his own literary path. Born in 1932, Fair served in the U.S. Navy before becoming...
Mary Monroe
Mary Monroe 0000000029010860 Mary Monroe, a sharecropper's daughter and the first in her family to graduate high school, returned to the literary scene with her novel “God Don’t Like Ugly”, which sol...
Lucille O’Neal
Lucille O’Neal NONE Lucille O’Neal is not just “Shaquille O’Neal’s Mom,” she is the president and founder of the Mothers of Professional Basketball Players Association. She is also a founder board m...
Miranda Paul
Miranda Paul NONE Miranda Paul is an award-winning author of children's books like One Plastic Bag and Water is Water, recognized by Junior Library Guild and Amazon. She regularly appears at educatio...
David Ruggles
David Ruggles 0000000078894447 David Ruggles was a pioneer in black activism, journalism, and entrepreneurship in the 1800s. He led 600+ slaves to freedom, including Frederick Douglass, and owned the...
Hugh Mulzac
Hugh Mulzac 0000000399996487 Hugh Nathaniel Mulzac (1886-1971), the first African American ship commander, served on British and American ships during WWI. A graduate of Swansea Nautical College, he ...
Sierra Kay
Sierra Kay 0000000461326725 Sierra Kay is an award-winning author with a love for the written word. Encouraged by her mother to read widely, she has a fondness for everything from classical literatur...
Maxx Alexis
Maxx Alexis NONE Maxx Alexis, known as “Your Favorite Baby Mama”, is a Los Angeles-based mom who mentors other parents on co-parenting. Featured on various media platforms, she strives to improve co-...
Wayétu Moore
Wayétu Moore 0000000474741880 Wayétu Moore is the founder of One Moore Book, a non-profit publishing culturally relevant books to promote literacy in countries with low rates. She opened her first b...
Ronda Racha Penrice
Ronda Racha Penrice NONE Ronda Racha Penrice, an expert in African American history and culture, studied at Columbia University and NYU, focusing on African American literature. She contributed to Th...
S.L. Jennings, Naleighna Kai, J.D. Mason, Shakir Rashaan, London St. Charles, Sierra Kay, Karen D. Bradley, Anita L. Roseboro, and MarZé Scott
S.L. Jennings, Naleighna Kai, J.D. Mason, Shakir Rashaan, London St. Charles, Sierra Kay, Karen D. Bradley, Anita L. Roseboro, and MarZé Scott MULTIPLE "S.L. Jennings, Naleighna Kai, J.D. Mason, Shak...
Tiffany L. Warren
Tiffany L. Warren NONE Tiffany L. Warren is a bestselling author, playwright, and songwriter. She's written over 15 novels, including two YA series under the pen name Nikki Carter. Alongside her husb...
Leah Johnson
Leah Johnson NONE Leah Johnson, a Midwestern writer and editor, is a graduate of Indiana University and Sarah Lawrence College. She teaches writing, authored her first novel in 2021, and owns Loudmou...
Aimée Felone
Aimée Felone NONE Aimée Felone, Founder and Managing Director of Knights Of, a multi-award-winning inclusive children's publisher, focuses on amplifying underrepresented voices. Her team, primarily w...
Annette Gordon-Reed
Annette Gordon-Reed 0000000035723517 Annette Gordon-Reed, a professor of law and history, authored “Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings: An American Controversy.” She delves into the complex and intim...
Keith Kareem Williams
Keith Kareem Williams NONE Keith Kareem Williams, a Brooklyn-based author, has penned over 21 books and 5 screenplays. He balances a full-time writing career with single fatherhood. Williams writes '...
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...
Alexandre Dumas
Alexandre Dumas 0000000121012885 “My father was a mulatto, my grandfather was a Negro, and my great-grandfather a monkey. You see, Sir, my family starts where yours ends.” Alexandre Dumas,...
Tariq Trotter
Tariq Trotter 0000000001157609 Tariq Trotter, known as Black Thought, is a celebrated hip-hop artist and actor. With three GRAMMYs and three NAACP awards, he's produced albums both solo and with The ...
William Loren Katz
William Loren Katz 0000000115886981 Bill Katz (1927-2019) was a prolific author and lecturer, known for his contributions to African American history. A graduate of Syracuse University and New York U...
John Oliver Killens
John Oliver Killens 0000000081741003 “The Godfather of the Black Arts Movement” John Oliver Killens was an important figure in the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s, Killens was a close ...
Teri Woods
Teri Woods 0000000043564923 Teri Woods, a Philadelphia native and former legal secretary, turned author with her first novel, “True to the Game.” After initial rejections, she self-published and sold...
Angle S. Bush
Angle S. Bush NONE Angle S. Bush, an author, poet, and motivational speaker from Michigan, is known for her books “When I Cease to Exist” and “Soul of a Woman” aimed at fostering self-embrace and inn...
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...
Christina Benton
Christina Benton NONE Christina Benton is a Las Vegas-based crime author, forensic anthropologist, and bookstore owner. She penned the debut novel featuring Noel Patterson, a forensic anthropologist ...
Simba Sana
Simba Sana NONE Simba Sana overcame hardships in Washington, D.C. to graduate with degrees in Accounting, Business and Finance, and African Studies. He left his auditing job to join Karibu Books, gro...
Fanita Pendleton
Fanita Pendleton NONE Fanita “Moon†Pendleton, originally from Oakland, is a parole officer based in Norfolk, Virginia. She's an experienced criminal justice instructor with a Masters in Public A...
National Museum of African American History and Culture
National Museum of African American History and Culture MULTIPLE The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), established by Congress in 2003, is devoted to documenting Afric...
Gigi Best
Gigi Best NONE Gigi Best, a prolific author, historian, and genealogist, is also the owner of Best Books & Rich Treasures. She possesses rich academic credentials and is a member of various historica...
Eric Pete
Eric Pete 0000000372515735 Eric Pete, a US Army veteran and graduate of McNeese State University, is a renowned author known for his debut novel “Real for Me.” His collaboration with Carl Weber on “T...
Shanna Tiggs
Shanna Tiggs NONE Shanna L. Tiggs is an accomplished author and the proprietor of Serenity Book Shop in Columbus, Ohio. Author Shanna L. Tiggs is also the owner of the Serenity Book Shop in Columbus,...
Gwendolyn Wallace
Gwendolyn Wallace NONE Gwendolyn Wallace was born and raised in Danbury, Connecticut, and graduated from Yale University. She can usually be found gardening, exploring used bookstores, or listening ...
The Black Dot
The Black Dot NONE The Black Dot is renowned for his insight into the metaphysical aspects of Hip Hop, contributing to various media outlets and authoring the game-changing book, “Hip Hop Decoded.” A...
Ana Ot
Ana Ot 0000000059824400 Ana Ot grew up reading, which led to her love for writing. When she’s not doing either, she’s dreaming up new stories filled with heart and whimsy. Ana enjoys traveling and d...
Shonda Buchanan
Shonda Buchanan 0000000500800611 Shonda Buchanan is an award-winning author and professor with over 15 years of teaching experience in various literary fields. She's an Education Specialist for the U...
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...
Laura Obuobi
Laura Obuobi NONE Born and raised in Ghana, Laura Obuobi moved to the U.S. in 2003. She has an MA in Early Childhood Education from Columbia University and spent 8 years as a preschool teacher. Now a...
Tamara Shiloh
Tamara Shiloh NONE Tamara Shiloh, a Northern California native, owns the Multicultural Bookstore and Gifts in Richmond. She is a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother residing in Point Richmond,...
Marcus Dewan Williams
Marcus Dewan Williams NONE Marcus Dewan Williams, more than just the owner of Nubian Books bookstore, is an active advocate for African and African-American culture and education. As a publisher and ...
Victoria Scott-Miller
Victoria Scott-Miller NONE Victoria Scott-Miller is an acclaimed entrepreneur, author, and owner of North Carolina's first black-owned children's bookstore. She's notable for creating 'The Museum Liv...
Maura Cheeks
Maura Cheeks NONE Maura Cheeks, renowned author featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic and others, won a masthead reporting residency with The Atlantic in 2019. 'Acts of Forgiveness' is her deb...
Rochelle Carter
Rochelle Carter NONE Rochelle Carter, an award-winning publisher at Ellechor Media & Associated, LLC, offers publishing consulting services. She's authored three books to aid authors in publishing an...
Jacqueline E. Luckett
Jacqueline E. Luckett NONE Jacqueline E. Luckett, a renowned storyteller, began her writing journey with diaries, poetry, and newspaper stories. After a corporate career, her passion for writing was ...
Nnamdi Azikiwe
Nnamdi Azikiwe 0000000082108154 Nnamdi Azikiwe, a Washington DC-born author and University of the District of Columbia graduate, is known for his works on Black consciousness. He founded the Mhotep C...
June Cross
June Cross NONE June Cross is a two-time Emmy and duPont-Columbia Journalism award-winning documentary television producer and professor at Columbia's Graduate School of Journalism. Known for her 199...
Alexander Andrews
Alexander Andrews 0000000063097189 Alexander Andrews, a critically acclaimed poet of diverse heritage, is known for exploring themes of love, childhood, and environmental stress. His highly-rated deb...
Janelle Lenore
Janelle Lenore NONE Janelle Lenore is a multifaceted author and entrepreneur from Washington D.C. Influenced by her upbringing in “Chocolate City,” she pursues life with purpose, aiming to promote fi...
Alexander Pushkin
Alexander Pushkin 0000000121372055 Alexander Pushkin (1799–1837) was a Russian poet, playwright, and novelist—widely regarded as the founder of modern Russian literature. His verse novel Eugen...
Virginia Deberry and Donna Grant
Virginia Deberry and Donna Grant MULTIPLE Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant are best friends turned successful authors, known for their enduring collaboration in African American fiction. Both started...
Ray Anthony Shepard
Ray Anthony Shepard 0000000084780219 “As a fifth-grader in Nebraska, I was one of the few Black students in the class, and when American slavery was taught I was embarrassed by the topic.”...
Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon
Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon MULTIPLE Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Y...
Frank Morrison
Frank Morrison 0000000082167576 Frank Morrison is an esteemed artist, celebrated for his vivid and unique portrayal of urban culture and African American heritage. His work spans various subjects, fr...
Roxane Orgill
Roxane Orgill NONE Roxane Orgill is a seasoned music critic and author with over 20 years of experience, having worked with The Wall Street Journal and The Milwaukee Journal. She is known for her bio...
Zaila Avant-Garde
Zaila Avant-Garde NONE Zaila Avant-Garde, a New York Times bestselling author and SportsKid of the Year 2021, is renowned for being the first African-American to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee...
Kiran H. J. Dellimore
Kiran H. J. Dellimore NONE Kiran Dellimore, a scientist, inventor, and author based in Utrecht, has authored three books on diverse topics. A keen runner, squash player, and rock climber, he is curre...
Tracey Baptiste
Tracey Baptiste 0000000037347738 Tracey Baptiste, a Trinidad-born author, made her debut with 'Angel’s Grace', lauded by NYC librarians. Once a teacher and ballerina, she now writes and edits childre...
Randy Ross, Octavia E. Butler, Erin Aubry Kaplan, Eric Jerome Dickey, and Jervey Tervalon
Randy Ross, Octavia E. Butler, Erin Aubry Kaplan, Eric Jerome Dickey, and Jervey Tervalon MULTIPLE "Explore the works of authors Randy Ross, Wanda Coleman, Stanley Crouch, Gary Phillips, Octavia Butl...
Pearl Cleage, Omar Tyree, Margaret Johnson-Hodge, Timmothy B. McCann, Brandon Massey, Kambon Obayani, Earl Sewell, and Maxine Thompson
Pearl Cleage, Omar Tyree, Margaret Johnson-Hodge, Timmothy B. McCann, Brandon Massey, Kambon Obayani, Earl Sewell, and Maxine Thompson MULTIPLE "Pearl Cleage, Omar Tyree, Margaret Johnson-Hodge, Timm...
Richard Wright, Lorraine Hansberry, Nikki Giovanni, Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, and Gwendolyn Brooks
Richard Wright, Lorraine Hansberry, Nikki Giovanni, Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, and Gwendolyn Brooks MULTIPLE Prominent authors including Richard Wright, Lorraine Hansberry, Nikki Giovanni, ...
Tracy Price-Thompson and TaRessa Stovall, with Pearl Cleage, Donna Hill, Parry Brown, Omar Tyree
Tracy Price-Thompson and TaRessa Stovall, with Pearl Cleage, Donna Hill, Parry Brown, Omar Tyree MULTIPLE Explore the works of acclaimed authors Tracy Price-Thompson, TaRessa Stovall, Pearl Cleage, D...
J.L. Woodson
J.L. Woodson NONE J.L. Woodson is an award-winning author and graphic designer from Chicago. He started his literary career at 16 and later shifted to graphic design, creating book covers and marketi...