AALBC Search
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 ...
Charles D. Ellison
Charles D. Ellison NONE Charles D. Ellison is an acclaimed political strategist, commentator, and advocacy expert with nearly 20 years of experience. He's the Washington Correspondent for The Philade...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
Jonathan Escoffery
Jonathan Escoffery 0000000513239675 Jonathan Escoffery is an award-winning author, recognized with the 2020 Plimpton Prize for Fiction, a National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowship, and th...
Aleshea Harris
Aleshea Harris NONE Aleshea Harris, an award-winning playwright known for her epic western revenge play “Is God Is,” and her critically acclaimed work “What to Send Up When It Goes Down.” She's a rec...
W. Caleb McDaniel
W. Caleb McDaniel 0000000375916227 W. Caleb McDaniel is a History Associate Professor at Rice University and magister of Duncan College. His 2019 book, Sweet Taste of Liberty, won the 2020 Pulitzer P...
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 ...
Olivia Duchess
Olivia Duchess NONE Olivia Duchess is an illustrator and creator of picture books. She was shortlisted for the 2020 World Illustration Award and received honorable mention for the FAB Prize 2017-2020...
B. Smith
B. Smith 0000000045066151 Barbara Elaine Smith (1949-2020) was a former fashion model and the first African-American woman on Mademoiselle’s cover. She also starred in TV commercials and served as a ...
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 ...
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...
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...
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 ...
Deesha Philyaw
Deesha Philyaw 0000000401543576 Deesha Philyaw, co-author of Co-Parenting 101, is known for her notable work on race, parenting, gender, and culture. Her writing has been featured in renowned publica...
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....
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...
t’ai freedom ford
t’ai freedom ford NONE t’ai freedom ford is a NYC high school English teacher, Cave Canem Fellow, and award-winning poet. She has been published in numerous reviews and anthologies, and is an editor ...
Naomi V. Dunsen-White
Naomi V. Dunsen-White NONE Naomi V. Dunsen-White is a children’s book author and editor focused on promoting diversity and representation in children's literature. She utilizes her background as a fo...
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 ...
Candice Iloh
Candice Iloh NONE Candice Iloh, a Nigerian-American author & dancer in Philadelphia, is a Howard University alumna & 2019 Kimbilio fellow. She holds an M.F.A. from Lesley University. Her novel, Every...
Jerald Walker
Jerald Walker NONE Jerald Walker is a distinguished author known for his memoirs and essays, with recognitions like the 2011 PEN New England Award for Nonfiction and honors from the National Book Awa...
Wade Hudson
Wade Hudson 0000000067647969 Why I Publish Children’s Books Wade Hudson, born in 1946, is an author, journalist, and civil rights activist. Known for his children's books promoting positive Afri...
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...
John Murillo
John Murillo NONE John Murillo is a renowned poet and professor known for his works “Up Jump the Boogie” and “Kontemporary Amerikan Poetry.” He's won numerous awards including two Larry Neal Writers ...
Honoree Fanonne Jeffers
Honoree Fanonne Jeffers 0000000021030293 Honoree Fanonne Jeffers is a renowned poet known for her work on culture, religion, history, and family. With five books to her name, including the acclaimed ...
Kirbyjon H. Caldwell
Kirbyjon H. Caldwell NONE Kirbyjon H. Caldwell is a former bond broker and MBA holder from Wharton School of Business who turned to religion, growing a 25-member congregation into an 18,000 member me...
Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman
Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman NONE Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman, Ed.D., is the Executive Director at the Hurston Wright Foundation, former Director at Montgomery Community Media, and a successful playwright who...
Mbozi Haimbe
Mbozi Haimbe NONE Mbozi Haimbe, a Zambian author, writes African-inspired fiction. Her work has been published by Granta, Catapult, and Catalyst Press. She's a panelist, guest speaker, scriptwriter, ...
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...
Evette Dionne
Evette Dionne NONE Evette Dionne, a black feminist writer and editor-in-chief of Bitch Media, is renowned for her work on race, gender, and culture in top publications. A former educator, her acclaim...
Tommye Blount
Tommye Blount 0000000497978952 Tommye Blount is a Cave Canem alumnus and acclaimed author of 'What Are We Not For' and 'Fantasia for the Man in Blue', which was recognized by the National Book Awards...
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...
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-...
Patricia A. Bridewell
Patricia A. Bridewell NONE Patricia A. Bridewell is an award-winning author, nurse practitioner, and educator who began her writing career in 2005. She has published four novels and contributed to se...
Dani McClain
Dani McClain NONE Dani McClain is a writer specializing in race and reproductive health. She contributes to The Nation and Type Media Center, and her work has featured in numerous outlets. She has pr...
Alyssa Reynoso-Morris
Alyssa Reynoso-Morris NONE Alyssa Reynoso-Morris is a queer Afro-Latinx/e writer, mother, and community organizer from The Bronx. She currently resides in Philadelphia and has been recognized with mu...
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...
Sheila Williams
Sheila Williams 0000000498379628 Sheila Williams, an Ohio-born author and University of Louisville graduate, has published five books, including the popular 'Dancing on the Edge of the Roof'. She con...
Angela Shanté
Angela Shanté NONE Angela was a Finalist for a 2024 National Book Award Angela Shanté is an award-winning children's book author, co-founder of Sunday Dinner Publishing, and DEI advocate in publishing...
Curdella Forbes
Curdella Forbes 0000000043570880 Curdella Forbes, a Jamaican-born author and Howard University professor based in Maryland, is the celebrated writer of 'A Tall History of Sugar', winning the 2020 Hur...
Ron A. Austin
Ron A. Austin NONE Ron A. Austin, an MFA holder from U. of Missouri-St. Louis, is a 2016 Arts Commission Fellow and acclaimed author of 'Avery Colt Is a Snake, a Thief, a Liar', a Nilsen Prize-winnin...
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant 0000000045677868 Kobe Bryant, born August 23, 1978, was a celebrated athlete and accomplished author. In his 20-year NBA career with the Lakers, he won numerous accolades. Post retirement...
Natasha S. Alford
Natasha S. Alford NONE Natasha S. Alford is a celebrated journalist and digital host known for her impactful reporting on politics, culture, and social issues. She's a Harvard graduate and an Emmy aw...
Taylor Byas
Taylor Byas NONE Dr. Taylor Byas, Ph.D. is a Black poet and essayist. Originally from Chicago, she moved to Alabama for six years, where she received both her Bachelor’s degree in English and her Ma...
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...
Wanda Thomas
Wanda Thomas 0000000074200639 Wanda L. Thomas, a New York-born author and CEO of a Medical Transcribing business, holds a BA in Biology and Pre-Medical Studies. She founded JCW Enterprises, a childre...
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...
C.J. Watson
C.J. Watson NONE Former NBA star, C.J. Watson, penned a children's book in 2020, “C.J.'s Big Dream”, inspiring kids to work hard for their dreams. The book, potentially a series, follows a young boy ...
Davida Siwisa James
Davida Siwisa James NONE Davida Siwisa James, a globe-trotting author with roots in Philly and Harlem, has experience as a freelance journalist and has several published works, including an award-win...
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...
Hannibal B. Johnson
Hannibal B. Johnson NONE Harvard Law graduate Hannibal B. Johnson is an esteemed author, attorney, and consultant specializing in diversity and human relations. He's taught at prestigious universitie...
Pat Cummings
Pat Cummings 0000000067231736 Pat Cummings is an award-winning author and illustrator, known for creating over 30 children's books. She's worked on TV shows like Gullah Gullah Island and Cover to Cov...
Dinah Johnson
Dinah Johnson NONE Dinah Johnson is a renowned author in children's literature, particularly in African American storytelling. Her books, which include titles like Hair Dance! and Sitting Pretty, cel...
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...
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...
Gil Robertson
Gil Robertson NONE Gil L. Robertson IV is a renowned authority on African-American pop culture. A journalist, author, lecturer, and media consultant, he provides platforms for social change through h...
Sharna Jackson
Sharna Jackson NONE Sharna Jackson, an award-winning author known for her middle-grade series High Rise Mystery and Tate Kids Activity books. Recognized as a Rising Star in 2013, she won the Watersto...
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...
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...
Idza Luhumyo
Idza Luhumyo NONE Idza Luhumyo, born in 1993, is a rising star in African literature, known for her award-winning works. She earned the Margaret Busby New Daughters of Africa Award in 2020 and the Sh...
Quintard Taylor
Quintard Taylor 0000000114391610 AALBC Truly Mourns the Lost of Quintard Taylor Quintard Taylor, a Professor of American History, specializes in African American history with over three decades of exp...
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...
John Steptoe
John Steptoe 0000000083178664 John Lewis Steptoe (1950-1989) was a renowned children's book author and illustrator from Brooklyn, NY. Known for his rich illustrations depicting the African American e...
Oludamini Ogunnaike
Oludamini Ogunnaike 0000000040827310 Oludamini Ogunnaike, PhD, is the Associate Professor of African Religious Thought and Democracy at the University of Virginia. His research examines the philosop...
Nkem DenChukwu
Nkem DenChukwu NONE Nkem DenChukwu, a multitalented artist with a background in Computer Networking and Health Services Administration, is passionate about filmmaking, writing, and cooking. She has p...
Andrea Davis Pinkney
Andrea Davis Pinkney 0000000083413599 Andrea Davis Pinkney is a bestselling author of children and young adult books, awarded multiple honors such as Coretta Scott King Awards and NAACP Image Award n...
Lisa Washington
Lisa Washington NONE Lisa Washington is a bestselling Christian Fiction author, honored with the 2020 Author Elite Award and the 2018 African-American Literary Show Award. A U.S. Navy veteran and alu...
Beverly Jenkins
Beverly Jenkins 000000011691928X Beverly Jenkins, a USA TODAY bestselling author, is renowned for her African-American historical romance fiction, mainly set in the 19th century. With over thirty nov...
Gwen Richardson
Gwen Richardson NONE Gwen Richardson, co-founder of Cushcity.com, the largest African-American internet retailer, is a successful entrepreneur and writer with a marketing degree from Georgetown Unive...
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...
Juana Martinez-Neal
Juana Martinez-Neal 0000000115462636 Juana Martinez-Neal, award-winning author-illustrator, received the 2019 Caldecott Honor and 2020 Robert F. Sibert Medal. She was also awarded the 2018 Pura Belpr...
Nina Crews
Nina Crews 0000000063939702 Nina Crews is a Brooklyn-based children's book author and illustrator, known for her unique photographic collage style. She's been recognized by numerous organizations for...
Tonya Bolden
Tonya Bolden 0000000116508683 Tonya Bolden, a Princeton and Columbia University graduate, is an award-winning author/editor of over 40 books, including children's nonfiction and historical novels. 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...
Terrence L. Johnson
Terrence L. Johnson NONE Terrence L. Johnson is the Charles G. Adams Professor of African American Religious Studies, Professor of African and African American Studies (FAS), Director of Religion and...
Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. MULTIPLE Dr. Henry “Skip” Louis Gates Jr., a distinguished Harvard professor, is widely recognized for his contribution to African and African American research. As editor in c...
Alicia D. Williams
Alicia D. Williams 0000000493459573 Alicia D. Williams is a beloved teacher, oral storyteller, and award-nominated author. Known for her lively spirit, she blends drama and storytelling in her teachi...
Tiffany Rose
Tiffany Rose NONE Tiffany Rose, a teacher and author/illustrator, is known for her book 'M is for Melanin'. Passionate about creating art and stories that reflect underrepresented children, she also ...
Ladan Osman
Ladan Osman NONE Somali-born poet and essayist, Ladan Osman, is renowned for her award-winning works including “The Kitchen-Dweller’s Testimony” and “Exiles of Eden.” She's also contributed to the Se...
Richard B. Moore
Richard B. Moore 0000000082432341 Moore was an early advocate for the use of “African American” as opposed to “Negro” or “Black.” Richard Benjamin Moore was an infl...
Nelda LaTeef
Nelda LaTeef 000000008348432X Nelda LaTeef is an award-winning author and illustrator, known for acclaimed children's books like Animal Village and The Talking Baobab Tree. Her work has received nume...
Glodean Champion
Glodean Champion NONE Glodean Champion is a multifaceted artist, educator, and coach based in Monterey, CA. She is a published author, whose work explores themes of sexuality, gender, and African Ame...
Toyomi Igus
Toyomi Igus NONE Toyomi Igus, a celebrated author and communications strategist, has had a varied career in publishing, corporate, and marketing communications. Known for her work in academic book pu...
Kirsti Jewel
Kirsti Jewel NONE Kirsti Jewel, a former Bay Area school leader, is the current Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at a Manhattan school. A 2020 Kweli Fellow, she writes nonfiction centered...
Nick Brooks
Nick Brooks NONE Nick Brooks, an award-winning filmmaker and author from Washington, DC, is known for his short film 'Hoop Dreamin''. A 2020 USC graduate, he won the George Lucas Scholar Award and wa...
Keisha Lance Bottoms
Keisha Lance Bottoms NONE Keisha Lance Bottoms is the former Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, and currently serves as a political commentator for CNN. During her tenure as mayor from 2018 to 2022, Bott...
Valerie Bolling and Kailei Pew
Valerie Bolling and Kailei Pew MULTIPLE Valerie Bolling, an award-winning author and educator, is committed to creating diverse literature for children. Kailei Pew, author of children's books like Ki...
Tiya Miles
Tiya Miles 0000000114701869 Tiya Alicia Miles is a historian and professor at the University of Michigan. Specializing in African American and Native American histories, she's the author of award-win...
Courtney Faye Taylor
Courtney Faye Taylor NONE Courtney Faye Taylor is a celebrated writer and visual artist, known for winning the Discovery/Boston Review Poetry Prize and the Academy of American Poets Prize. Her work i...
Alice Dunbar-Nelson
Alice Dunbar-Nelson 0000000081179540 Check out Love, Activism, and the Respectable Life of Alice Dunbar-Nelson Alice Moore Dunbar-Nelson (1875-1935) was an acclaimed American journalist, political act...
Sion Dayson
Sion Dayson NONE Sion Dayson, an American writer and EFL teacher, has lived in New York, North Carolina, Paris, and now Valencia. Her work, including her debut novel 'As a River', has been published ...
Ursula M. Burns
Ursula M. Burns 0000000445332455 Ursula M. Burns is a pioneering American businesswoman, the first black woman to become a Fortune 500 CEO at Xerox, where she served from 2009-2016. She was also Chai...
Yasmin Angoe
Yasmin Angoe NONE Yasmin Angoe is a first-generation Ghanaian American writer and editor from Northern Virginia. An experienced teacher and instructional coach, Yasmin also freelances as a developmen...