AALBC Search
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...
Dionne Brand
Dionne Brand 0000000109071487 “The best poetry jolts and shocks, it mines language for what we have not seen, have not heard.” Dionne Brand is an acclaimed poet and novelist, known for win...
Phoebe Wang, Canisia Lubrin, and Dionne Brand
Phoebe Wang, Canisia Lubrin, and Dionne Brand MULTIPLE Phoebe Wang, an Ottawa-born author and teacher based in Toronto, holds degrees from York University and University of Toronto. She's published t...
Jamil Jivani
Jamil Jivani 0000000499249737 Jamil Jivani, a Toronto native, is a visiting professor at Osgoode Hall Law School, focusing on youth, immigrants and low-income family issues. He founded the Citizen Em...
Julian Sher
Julian Sher 0000000120277646 Julian Sher is an award-winning journalist, author of seven books on various social issues, and renowned investigative reporter. He's worked for the Toronto Star, the Glo...
Jibola Fagbamiye and Conor McCreery
Jibola Fagbamiye and Conor McCreery MULTIPLE Jibola Fagbamiye is a visual artist based in Toronto. His work draws inspiration from his two great loves: African history and North American pop culture...
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...
David Chariandy
David Chariandy 0000000074226038 David Chariandy, a Toronto-born author and professor based in Vancouver, is known for his works such as “I've Been Meaning to Tell You”, “Soucouyant”, and “Brother.” ...
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 ...
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...
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...
Lawrence Hill
Lawrence Hill 0000000073673418 Lawrence Hill is a renowned Canadian author and professor of creative writing at the University of Guelph. Known for his award-winning novel, “The Book of Negroes”, whi...
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 ...
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...
Alissa Holder and Zulekha Holder-Young
Alissa Holder and Zulekha Holder-Young MULTIPLE Alissa Holder and Zulekha Holder-Young are authors and creatives known for their first book, “I Am Smart, I Am Blessed, I Can Do Anything.” Committed t...
Yvonne Blackwood
Yvonne Blackwood NONE Yvonne Blackwood is a renowned author, speaker, and retired banker, known for her world travels and writing. She has written successful books like 'Into Africa a Personal Journe...
Yolanda T. Marshall
Yolanda T. Marshall NONE Yolanda T. Marshall, born in Guyana, is a writer and manager for Canada's largest Academic Publishing Company. With a passion for guitar and poetry, she published her first b...
Nneka Myers
Nneka Myers NONE Nneka Myers is a Toronto-based illustrator serving publishers and the animation industry. Passionate about drawing, she finds inspiration in vintage fashion and enjoys tea gatherings...
Anais Granofsky
Anais Granofsky NONE Anais Granofsky is a multifaceted Canadian talent known as an actress, screenwriter, producer, and director. She's notably recognized for her role as Lucy Fernandez in “Degrassi”...
Christina Sharpe
Christina Sharpe 0000000052617142 Christina Sharpe, acclaimed author of 'In the Wake: On Blackness and Being' and 'Monstrous Intimacies', is the Canada Research Chair in Black Studies at York Univers...
Andrew DuBois
Andrew DuBois NONE Andrew DuBois, associate professor of English at University of Toronto Scarborough, is the author of “Ashbery’s Forms of Attention” and co-editor of “Close Reading: The Reader.” An...
Shellene Rodney
Shellene Rodney NONE Shellene Rodney is a Toronto-based illustrator passionate about depicting children's life stages. She primarily uses illustrations and storytelling, drawing from personal experie...
Toufah Jallow
Toufah Jallow NONE Toufah Jallow, head of The Toufah Foundation, advocates for sexual assault survivors in The Gambia. She has addressed the UN, presented at The Hague, testified at The Gambia's Trut...
Dionne Irving
Dionne Irving 0000000495658090 Dionne Irving, a Toronto native, is the author of “Quint” and “The Islands.” Her works feature in various journals and magazines. She currently teaches Creative Writing...
DeMar DeRozan and Dave Zarum
DeMar DeRozan and Dave Zarum MULTIPLE "DeMar DeRozan, six-time NBA All-Star and two-time gold medalist, actively mentors young basketball players in Compton, California. Dave Zarum, award-winning spo...
Sandy Daley
Sandy Daley NONE Sandy Daley, a versatile talent from Kingston, Jamaica, is an actress, author, and media personality known for her candidness. Her provocative novel, “Whose Vagina Is It, Really?” di...
Kaven Brown
Kaven Brown NONE Kaven Brown, a multifaceted entrepreneur known for his work as an author, photographer, and producer, has been influential in the publishing and music video industry. Brown's work ra...
Ernest Morris
Ernest Morris 0000000071824075 EJ Morris, known as “The Urban Fiction Literary Guru,” debuted in the literary world in 2014 with his novel, Flippin Numbers. Raised on the tough streets of Pennsylvani...
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...
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...
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...
Kevin M. Weeks
Kevin M. Weeks NONE Kevin M. Weeks is an acclaimed self-published Urban Fiction author known for his debut, The Street Life Series. Honored as the Best New Urban Author of 2007, his fresh approach te...
Omar Tyree
Omar Tyree 0000000063866005 Omar Tyree, a.k.a. The Urban Griot is a New York Times best-selling author, journalist, lecturer, poet, screenwriter, songwriter, playwright, host, blogger, publishing con...
Charles S. Johnson
Charles S. Johnson 0000000108707076 Charles Spurgeon Johnson was a prominent 20th-century black sociologist, key figure of the Harlem Renaissance, and a Ph.D. graduate from the University of Chicago....
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...
Zetta Elliott
Zetta Elliott 000000003627950X Zetta Elliott, a Canadian-born Black feminist writer, is known for her poetry, plays, essays, and children's novels. She earned a PhD in American Studies from NYU, taug...
Ernest K. Aning
Ernest K. Aning NONE Ernest K. Aning, a New York-born writer with Ghanaian roots, published his first book in 2018. Deeply passionate about societal problems and corporate America, his global experie...
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...
Ian Williams
Ian Williams NONE Ian Williams is a renowned Canadian poet, short story writer, and novelist. Recognized by CBC as a writer to watch, he has been shortlisted for prestigious poetry awards and is a Da...
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 ...
Monique James-Duncan
Monique James-Duncan NONE Monique James-Duncan holds a BA in Business Management from Golden Gate University and is passionate about creating literature that provides representation and mirrors for c...
Rachel Ricketts
Rachel Ricketts NONE Rachel Ricketts is a queer, multi-racial Black woman. As a global thought leader, racial justice educator, healer, speaker, and writer, she hosts intersectional racial justice wo...
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...
Ishi Robinson
Ishi Robinson NONE Ishi Robinson was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. A Canadian citizen, she has lived in Bern, Toronto, Rome, London and now lives in Berlin with her Czech husband. Her first ...
jarrett hill and Tre’vell Anderson
jarrett hill and Tre’vell Anderson MULTIPLE jarrett hill (he/him) is an award-winning journalist, sought-after host, moderator, and writer. He is president of the National Association of Black Journ...
Althea Prince
Althea Prince 0000000073991272 Dr. Althea Prince, an award-winning author from Antigua, has taught sociology in Canada, the US, and England. Currently at Ryerson University, she's recognized for her ...
Courtne Comrie
Courtne Comrie NONE Courtne Comrie is a poet and writer who prefers tackling heavy topics through simplistic and beautiful verse. Born in Toronto, Canada, but raised in the Bronx and Mount Vernon, N...
Leylah Attar
Leylah Attar NONE Leylah Attar is an award-winning Indo-Canadian author. Her self-published work has appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal’s bestseller lists. A recipien...
Leah Giles
Leah Giles NONE Leah Giles grew up in Toronto, Canada, where she studied film, animation, and illustration, then moved to New York City to pursue a career in illustration and art education. Leah now...
K.D. Richards
K.D. Richards NONE Bestselling author and two-time Daphne du Maurier Award finalist, K.D. Richards writes pulse-pounding romantic suspense and thrillers. K.D. was born and raised in the Maryland sub...
Rachel Isadora
Rachel Isadora 0000000083710059 Former professional dancer Rachel Isadora transitioned into visual arts after an injury. She's since created over 200 children's books and focuses on painting, often d...
Doug and Jackie Christie
Doug and Jackie Christie MULTIPLE Doug & Jackie Christie are both natives of Seattle, WA. Jackie, a former model turned fashion designer, owns her own clothing boutique and label. Doug, a former NBA ...
Ali Mazrui
Ali Mazrui 0000000119710676 “One of the Top 100 Intellectuals in the World” Ali Al’amin Mazrui (1933-2014), a distinguished Kenyan academic and political writer, specialized in African and...
Joanne C. Hillhouse
Joanne C. Hillhouse 0000000043655956 Joanne C. Hillhouse’s writing has been described as “honest”, “real”, “poetic”, and “lyrical”. Her Antiguan culture is at the heart of her writing: “Obvious is t...
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...
Joel Warsh and Andrew Gardner
Joel Warsh and Andrew Gardner MULTIPLE Dr. Joel “Gator” Warsh is a board-certified pediatrician who specializes in parenting, wellness, and integrative medicine. He grew up in Toronto. He completed ...
Keith C. Holmes
Keith C. Holmes NONE Keith C. Holmes was born in Queens, New York and currently lives in Brooklyn. For over thirty years Mr. Holmes has worked professionally in the satellite communications industry...
Malcolm Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell 0000000118876252 Malcolm Gladwell is an acclaimed English-Canadian journalist and author. His books consistently feature on The New York Times Best Seller list. With a career at The ...
Thomas Long
Thomas Long 0000000376122955 Thomas Long, a self-published poet from Baltimore, transitioned to urban fiction, reflecting his experiences growing up in the inner city. His debut novel, Dayvon’s Story...
Christina M. Greer
Christina M. Greer 0000000396951910 Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an NYU McSilver Institute Fellow, associate professor at Fordham University, and author of award-winning book Black Ethnics. She hosts “...
Lauren Lacey
Lauren Lacey NONE Lauren Lacey, an indie Romance author and digital strategist, has optimized global brands including PwC. She's the former marketing lead for Mastercard and AMEX gift cards, and a Fo...
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...
Kisha Green
Kisha Green NONE Kisha Green is a multi-talented literary consultant and promoter dedicated to turning authors' dreams into published realities. Since 2006, she's written novels, hosted award-winning...
Angela Dews
Angela Dews NONE Angela M. Dews, a former journalist and public servant, now writes and teaches in New York City. She has authored a series of murder mysteries set in Harlem and a 2018 book on urban ...
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...
Larry Neal Shorter
Larry Neal Shorter NONE Larry Neal Shorter, also known as “Big Larry”, is a Baltimore-born author who has made a name for himself in the urban literature scene. After moving to Los Angeles and studyi...
Dashawn Taylor
Dashawn Taylor NONE Dashawn Taylor is a contemporary novelist and Rutgers graduate known for his urban edgy style. A former finalist on BET's Ultimate Hustler Show, he's also the author of 'From Pove...
J.M. Benjamin
J.M. Benjamin NONE Allow me to introduce you to one of the hardest working hustlers in urban lit: J.M. Benjamin J.M. Benjamin is a successful, powerful and impacting ...
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...
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...
Elijah Anderson
Elijah Anderson 0000000115676650 Dr. Elijah Anderson is a distinguished Sociology professor at Yale University and an eminent urban ethnographer. He has held key positions in various professional ass...
Lasana D. Kazembe
Lasana D. Kazembe NONE Dr. Lasana D. Kazembe, a Chicago-native scholar, specializes in Urban Education, Global Black Arts Movements, and the Black Intellectual Tradition. He explores Culturally Susta...
La Jill Hunt
La Jill Hunt NONE La Jill Hunt, a best-selling author from Mobile, AL, is known for her urban chic-lit novels and contributions to the 'Around the Way Girls' series. Also an erotica writer, her works...
C. N. Phillips
C. N. Phillips NONE C. N. Phillips, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, is a renowned author known for her gritty series, The Last Kings. Signed to Carl Weber’s Urban Books, her storytelling finesse has ear...
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 ...
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 '...
Treavion Davenport
Treavion Davenport NONE Treavion Davenport, also known as Trea “The Storyteller,†is a renowned storyteller, ghostwriter, and producer from Detroit. She's authored urban fiction and self-help boo...
Keisha Ervin
Keisha Ervin NONE Keisha Ervin is a national best-selling author from St. Louis, Missouri, celebrated for her unique writing style in the urban fiction genre. Her work continues to revitalize the mar...
Curtis L. Ivery
Curtis L. Ivery NONE Dr. Curtis L. Ivery has been Chancellor of Wayne County Community College District since 1995. The multi-campus, culturally diverse District in metropolitan Detroit serves thous...
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...
Mary Pattillo-McCoy
Mary Pattillo-McCoy NONE Mary Pattillo specializes in urban sociology, focusing on the black middle class, using Chicago as her research backdrop. Her book, Black Picket Fences, explores child-rearin...
Jihad Shaheed Uhuru
Jihad Shaheed Uhuru NONE Jihad, from a criminal past to becoming an award-winning author and motivational speaker, used his prison experience to educate himself and write the groundbreaking book “Str...
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...
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...
Ben Burgess Jr.
Ben Burgess Jr. NONE Ben Burgess Jr. is an award-winning author and spoken word poet known for inspiring youths. His works, including the novel 'Monster' and the poetry book 'Times Have Changed and L...
Robyn C. Spencer
Robyn C. Spencer 0000000117365645 Robyn C. Spencer is a historian and Associate Professor at Lehman College, CUNY. She specializes in post-WWII social protest, urban and working-class radicalism, and...
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...
Tony Lindsay
Tony Lindsay NONE Tony Lindsay, an accomplished author known for novels like One Dead Preacher and Urban Affair, also contributes to various anthologies, online platforms, and magazines. He's an adju...
Brandie Davis
Brandie Davis NONE Brandie Davis-White, a New York-based author, holds a BA in English from York College. She's the founder of My Urban Books blog and Facebook book club, and continues writing drama-...
Al-Saadiq Banks
Al-Saadiq Banks NONE Al-Saadiq Banks is a best-selling author of nine urban fiction and crime drama books. He entered the literary scene in 2002, co-founding True 2 Life Publications with his brother...
Kevin McGruder
Kevin McGruder 0000000071766805 Kevin McGruder is an Assistant Professor of History at Antioch College with interests in African American institutions, urban history, and gay and lesbian history. He ...
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...
Donald Goines
Donald Goines 0000000080237403 Donald Goines (December 15, 1936 – October 21, 1974) was a writer of urban fiction. Goines was born in Detroit, Michigan. His parents were a middle-class Afri...
Lynnette Mawhinney
Lynnette Mawhinney NONE Dr. Lynnette Mawhinney, a children's book author and award-winning scholar, is dedicated to diversifying teaching. She's a professor at Rutgers University-Newark, specializing...
Nadia Owusu
Nadia Owusu 0000000496613804 Nadia Owusu is a Brooklyn-based author and urban planner, known for winning the 2019 Whiting Award and the Atlas Review chapbook contest. Her writing has featured in prom...
Mitchell S. Jackson
Mitchell S. Jackson 0000000409614826 Mitchell S. Jackson Awarded the 2021 Pulitzer Prize in Feature Writing Mitchell S. Jackson is an acclaimed author and educator, known for his debut novel “The Resi...