AALBC Search
Carolina Maria de Jesus
Carolina Maria de Jesus 0000000083875208 Carolina Maria de Jesus, born in 1914, was a Brazilian writer who highlighted life in favelas through her diaries. Despite facing extreme poverty and social o...
Jesus Colon
Jesus Colon 0000000022976005 Jesus Colon, widely recognized as the Father of the Nuyorican, was a distinguished Puerto Rican author and political activist. Born in 1901, he developed a passion for st...
Candice Dow
Candice Dow NONE Candice Dow, a Baltimore native and alumna of the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University, transitioned from a Senior Software Engineer to a full-time writer. After secur...
Tato Laviera
Tato Laviera 0000000078432517 Jesus “Tato” Laviera Sanchez (1950-2013) was a renowned Nuyorican poet and human rights advocate. Born in Puerto Rico, he immigrated to the U.S. where he became known fo...
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...
Stephannie Solomon
Stephannie Solomon NONE Stephannie Solomon, a Baltimore native and devout Christian, is a minister, author, educator, and founder of Conversations With The King Ministries. Her work spans from local ...
James H. Cone
James H. Cone 0000000381571755 James Hal Cone (1938-2018) was a renowned theologian known for advocating black theology and black liberation theology. His seminal work, Black Theology and Black Power...
Venita Blackburn
Venita Blackburn 0000000495978393 Venita Blackburn, author of award-winning story collection “Black Jesus and Other Superheroes,” has had her work featured in prestigious publications like The New Yo...
Carlton Pearson
Carlton Pearson 0000000033443634 Bishop Carlton Pearson was a renowned minister, gospel singer, and author. Once a prominent figure in Christian movements, his questioning of traditional doctrines sp...
Monique J. Anderson
Monique J. Anderson NONE Monique Jewell Anderson, a Virginia native, is a devoted Christian, author, and speaker on women's issues and Christianity. Living with her husband and five children, she aim...
Renita Bryant
Renita Bryant NONE In 2012, Renita Bryant launched Mynd Matters Publishing, an author-centric hybrid publishing company dedicated to guiding and supporting new and aspiring authors through their boo...
Grandmaster Flash
Grandmaster Flash 0000000368452815 Every DJ set you have ever heard—every seamless beat transition, every manually looped breakbeat, every scratch—runs on an operating system that one person built i...
Penny Mickelbury
Penny Mickelbury 0000000067623801 Penny Mickelbury is a celebrated playwright, journalist, and novelist, known for her work in fiction and script writing. She rose to prominence with her detective no...
Carmen Green
Carmen Green NONE Carmen Green, a National Bestselling author from Buffalo, NY, has sold over 30 novels. Her work includes the award-winning 'Keeping Secrets' and 'Doctor, Doctor', and 'Commitments',...
A. C. Arthur
A. C. Arthur NONE Baltimore-based author C. Arthur, known for infusing romance with fresh dialogue, intriguing plots, and sensual scenes, captivates readers with her innovative style. Drawing from he...
Randall Woodfin
Randall Woodfin NONE Randall Woodfin worked at City Hall (in jobs for the mayor and the city council) and for the Jefferson County Committee on Economic Opportunity, attended Cumberland School of Law...
Eric Payne
Eric Payne NONE Eric Payne, a versatile writer and poet, started his journey in literature at age 7. He graduated from Cornell and Binghamton Universities and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternit...
Sandra Kitt
Sandra Kitt 0000000082039611 This article about Sandra Kitt was written by Leah Mullen and originally appeared on WritersandPoets.com © 2001, If you’re an aspiring writer but think you don’...
Emanuel Carpenter
Emanuel Carpenter NONE Emanuel Carpenter (E.R. Carpenter), author of “A Job Ain’t Nothing But Work” and “Where is the Love?”, is a Capital University graduate and U.S. Air Force veteran. His work has...
Greg Mathis
Greg Mathis 0000000034573270 Judge Mathis is a public servant and advocate for equal justice. His career began in college leading campaigns, later joining Detroit City councilman Clyde Cleveland's st...
Patrice Gaines
Patrice Gaines 0000000031432130 Patrice Gaines, despite a stable upbringing, found herself in jail at 21, charged with drug-related felonies. As a convicted felon and single mother, she faced job str...
Sunshine Smith-Williams
Sunshine Smith-Williams NONE Sunshine Smith-Williams, a Queens native, overcame a poverty-stricken upbringing through education, climbing the corporate ladder. After job loss in 2010, she bravely fou...
Michelle D. Rayford
Michelle D. Rayford NONE Author Michelle D. Rayford, winner of a fifth-grade literacy contest, nurtured her passion for writing through years of education, a government job, marriage, and motherhood....
Anita L. Roseboro
Anita L. Roseboro NONE Anita L. Roseboro-Wade, a North Carolina native, emphasizes the importance of education, holding degrees in MIS and Business Administration. Alongside her professional job, she...
Irene Smalls
Irene Smalls NONE Irene Smalls, a Harlem native and Cornell University graduate, is a renowned children's author, inspired by her personal experiences and heritage. Her diverse career spans modelling...
Karen E. Quinones Miller
Karen E. Quinones Miller 0000000050390888 Karen E. Quinones Miller, born in Harlem, experienced street life as a teen, joined the Navy at 22, and later became a journalist. She worked for The Philade...
Jessica McKay
Jessica McKay NONE Jessica McKay, a passionate educator and author based in LA, shares her love for literature with her students, children, and the world. Fanny Liem, a self-taught digital artist fro...
Marvin V. Arnett
Marvin V. Arnett NONE Marvin V. Arnett, a retired Federal Manager from Detroit, had a successful career receiving numerous awards for job performances and cost-cutting suggestions. She served as Nati...
Olujimi Ojikutu
Olujimi Ojikutu NONE Olujimi Ojikutu, a University of Lagos graduate, began his career in finance but followed his passion for art and storytelling. He's known for creating comics in his youth, writi...
Shawneda Marks
Shawneda Marks NONE Shawneda Marks, a devoted Christian, author, mother, and student, has written 13 books including Christian fiction award nominee 'It's in My Blood' and Amazon medical fiction #1, ...
Justin Giboney
Justin Giboney NONE Justin E. Giboney (JD, Vanderbilt University) is the cofounder and president of the AND Campaign, a Christian civic organization focused on raising civic literacy, promoting civi...
Andre Seward
Andre Seward NONE Andre Seward, also known as Poetryman7, is a poet who has been writing since 1998. His works are deeply grounded in faith and spirituality, exploring themes of love, grace, and fami...
Stephanie Renee Bell
Stephanie Renee Bell NONE Stephanie Renée Bell, an author of 5 books and a gifted musician, dedicated her life to her faith and art until her passing in 2010. Renowned for her Christian rap songs, p...
Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts
Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts NONE Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts is a renowned author of 15 books and podcast host of HeARTtalk. Her distinguished writings have been featured in The Washington Post...
Amos Ferguson
Amos Ferguson 0000000078904406 Amos Ferguson, born in 1920, was a self-taught Bahamian artist best known for his vibrant Bible and Bahamian scenes. He started painting in his 40s, inspired by a nephe...
Beth Jones
Beth Jones NONE Beth Jones is a prolific author of 20 books, including the renowned '7 Basics' and 'Getting a Grip on the Basics' series, translated into multiple languages worldwide. She writes a fr...
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...
Michele Andrea Bowen
Michele Andrea Bowen NONE Michele Andrea Bowen, a St. Louis native and Durham, NC resident, is a prolific author with degrees in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling Education, US History, and Public ...
Paul Mooney
Paul Mooney 0000000055077997 Comic legend Paul Mooney (1941-2021) wrote for iconic shows like Chappelle's Show, SNL, and In Living Color. He acted in The Buddy Holly Story and released a Grammy-nomin...
Albert Tate
Albert Tate 0000000117939653 Albert Tate, a Mississippi native, is a pastor, public speaker, and podcast host. He accepted his call to ministry at 21, graduated from Wesley Bible College, and is purs...
Stephanie Spellers
Stephanie Spellers NONE Stephanie Spellers, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's Canon for Evangelism, aids Episcopalians in sharing faith and bridging boundaries. Having been a church planter, seminary ...
Ianna A. Small
Ianna A. Small NONE Ianna A. Small, founder and executive editor of midnight & indigo, a platform dedicated to promoting Black women's literature, oversees both digital and print platforms and the Wr...
Natalie Renee Perkins and Hal Taussig
Natalie Renee Perkins and Hal Taussig MULTIPLE Natalie Perkins is a minister, NYU chaplain, and co-founder of the Tanho Center. She's a singer, theatre performer, composer, and recipient of the Karen...
Rasool Berry, Maliek Blade, and Jermone Gay Jr.
Rasool Berry, Maliek Blade, and Jermone Gay Jr. MULTIPLE Rasool Berry is a teaching pastor at The Bridge Church, podcast host, and director at Our Daily Bread Ministries. Dr. Maliek Blade is the CEO ...
Bettye Collier-Thomas
Bettye Collier-Thomas 0000000122788183 Dr. Bettye Collier-Thomas is professor of American history at Temple University. Her scholarship includes American social and cultural history, African American...
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....
Luke Tillman
Luke Tillman NONE Luke Tillman is a seven-year-old Michigan native and the youngest of four brothers. Since the age of two, Luke has expressed his love for Jesus and his passion for spreading the go...
Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Malcolm-Jamal Warner 0000000072500865 AALBC Mourns the Passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner, July 20, 2025 Malcolm-Jamal Warner (August 18, 1970 – July 20, 2025) was an American actor, musician and po...
Maggie Stiefvater
Maggie Stiefvater 000000011644267X Author of “The Raven Boys”, Stiefvater weaves a thrilling tale of prep school boys seeking the dead Welsh king, Glendower. The four-book series involves elements of...
Laylie Frazier
Laylie Frazier NONE Laylie Frazier, a digital artist from Houston, specializes in emotive portraits with warm colors and textures. She illustrates book covers and works in advertising, with her debut...
Zoe B. Wallbrook
Zoe B. Wallbrook NONE Zoe B. Wallbrook is a professor by day, mystery writer by—actually, she also writes mysteries during the day, usually accompanied by her dog, a cup of coffee, and a debilitatin...
Natalie Vasilica
Natalie Vasilica NONE Natalie Vasilica was born in Chisinau, Moldova. As a child, she spent her time in the countryside, surrounded by fields and farm animals. Today nature, animals, and children ar...
Stacy Gueraseva
Stacy Gueraseva NONE Born in Moscow, Stacy Gueraseva immigrated to NYC in 1981, growing up in the Bronx amidst diverse cultures and music. She became editor-in-chief of Oneworld magazine at 24, after...
Charles Johnson
Charles Johnson 0000000000042498 Charles Richard Johnson, a novelist, essayist, and cartoonist from Evanston, Illinois, is renowned for his balanced mix of philosophy and folklore. His novel, Middle ...
Crystal Lacey Winslow
Crystal Lacey Winslow 0000000041870337 Brooklyn-born author Crystal Lacey Winslow began to write creatively at an early age drawing inspiration from her travels and the many colorful people she ...
Erick S. Gray
Erick S. Gray NONE Erick S. Gray, an accomplished author since 1997, is known for his engaging mix of street style, comedy, and intricate plots. Born in Jamaica, Queens, his first book, Booty Call, w...
Piri Thomas
Piri Thomas 0000000362962312 Piri Thomas, born in 1928 to Puerto Rican and Cuban parents, overcame racial discrimination and a troubled past in New York to become an influential figure in the Nuyoric...
Jimmie Allen
Jimmie Allen 0000000465260495 Jimmie Allen is a multi-platinum American recording artist and the first Black artist to achieve two consecutive #1 hits on country radio and win the ACM New Male Artist...
Anait Semirdzhyan
Anait Semirdzhyan NONE Anait Semirdzhyan is a multicultural illustrator based in Seattle, known for her unique watercolor pieces used in books like “The Arabic Quilt.” Her art is a mix of traditional...
Jake Alexander and Melleny Taylor
Jake Alexander and Melleny Taylor MULTIPLE Jake Alexander, an award-winning illustrator from England, is known for his works inspired by pop culture and current events. Melleny Taylor, a former Art &...
Patricia Williams Dockery
Patricia Williams Dockery NONE Dr. Patricia Williams Dockery is a renowned writer, scholar-activist, and international commentator, known for her expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion. She's ...
Maria Pinto
Maria Pinto 0000000066372318 Naturalist, forager, and educator Maria Pinto offers a stunning debut book that uncovers strange and beautiful fungal connections between the natural and human worlds. S...
Saint Solomon
Saint Solomon NONE Saint Solomon, born Randy Brown in Brooklyn, was raised between city and suburb, shaping his understanding of African-American life. After a stint in prison, he turned to writing, ...
Saul Williams
Saul Williams 0000000055187280 Saul Williams, hailed as the “Bob Marley of American poets” is a celebrated poet, actor, and spoken-word artist. Known for his vibrant and fearless writing, Williams ha...
Tavis Smiley
Tavis Smiley 0000000110310916 Tavis Smiley, a prominent African-American voice, is a renowned host and political commentator. Known for his work on BET Tonight and The Tom Joyner Morning Show, he is ...
Hope Anita Smith
Hope Anita Smith 0000000032573509 Hope Anita Smith received a Coretta Scott King Book Award Author Honor for Keeping the Night Watch and a Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe New Talent Author Award for...
acVernon Menchan
acVernon Menchan NONE Vernon Menchan, also known as Angelia, is a passionate writer and publisher with her company M.A.m.m. Productions. She's known for her “Fictionalized Truths, Ageless Fiction and...
Troy Johnson
Troy Johnson 0000000530602616 “I lead the world's oldest and largest online platform dedicated to books by and about people of African descent.” Troy Demetrius Johnson, founder and President of AALBC....
Thumper
Thumper 000000011496815X Thumper Unveiled? Not Quite Yet by Leah Mullen For as long as I’ve been writing about the publishing industry, interviewing authors, editors, publicity people and o...
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...
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...
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson 0000000110665899 Curtis James Jackson III, known as 50 Cent, is a renowned rapper, actor, and entrepreneur, raised in South Jamaica, Queens. Overcoming early life struggles a...
C. Lynn Williams
C. Lynn Williams NONE C. Lynn Williams is a coach, author, and founder of Finding Superwoman, a curriculum for balancing professional and personal roles. She has written the Staying Sane book series ...
Drusilla Dunjee Houston
Drusilla Dunjee Houston NONE Drusilla Dunjee Houston (January 20, 1876 – February 8, 1941) was born in Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia. Her parents were Rev. John William Dunjee and Lyd...
Electa Rome Parks
Electa Rome Parks NONE Electa Rome Parks is a successful self-published author known for best-selling novels like The Ties That Bind and Loose Ends. After initially self-publishing through her own co...
Shaniqka Thomas
Shaniqka Thomas NONE Shaniqka Thomas is a trustworthy individual known for keeping secrets and offering non-judgmental advice. Her animated personality and genuine approachability have fueled her pas...
Tommie Thomas
Tommie Thomas NONE Tommie Lee Thomas, a determined individual of Cherokee Indian and African descent, overcame poverty and adversity to become a retired employee of Ford Motor Company, the City of De...
Joe Cepeda
Joe Cepeda NONE Joe Cepeda, an award-winning illustrator, is known for adding a sparkle to his illustrations that resonates with children. With a BFA in illustration, he began his career in New York,...
Carla Hall
Carla Hall NONE “Say Yes! Adventure follows, then growth” Carla Hall, co-host of ABC's “The Chew”, followed her passion from accounting to modeling, and eventually discovered her true call...
SLMN
SLMN NONE SLMN is a writing duo known for combating global issues and producing films. They have worked on humanitarian projects in developing nations, served on peacekeeping forces, and campaigned a...
Kiki Swinson
Kiki Swinson NONE “Kiki captures the heat of the streets.” —Wahida Clark KiKi Swinson, born in Portsmouth, Virginia, discovered her writing talent while in federal prison, resulting ...
Sharyn Skeeter
Sharyn Skeeter NONE Sharyn Skeeter is an award-winning novelist, poet, editor, and educator, known for her debut novel “Dancing with Langston.” She has served as an editor at Essence and Black Elegan...
D
D 0000000110164613 Writing since the age of eight, D (the author of Got and Cake) has never held a legitimate job in his life. His words, however, have appeared in VIBE and other urban publications....
Fanny Liem
Fanny Liem NONE Fanny Liem is a self-taught digital artist and illustrator from Jakarta, Indonesia, with a passion for drawing and reading comic and children's books. Fanny Liem is an artist based in...
Terrance Dean
Terrance Dean 000000003396662X Terrance Dean, a former MTV producer, became a philanthropist and “Cardio-Spiritualist” after leaving his jet-set job. He founded Men's Empowerment and co-created “The ...
Terry O’Neal
Terry O’Neal 0000000046143681 Terry O’Neal is a self-published author. Writing has been a wonderful experience for her. It brings out her inner deepest thoughts and feelings. Terry believes that ...
Thomas Sowell
Thomas Sowell 0000000121208618 Thomas Sowell is an esteemed economist, author, and political philosopher, with education from Harvard, Columbia, and Chicago Universities. He's taught at several unive...
Jessica George
Jessica George 0000000516371751 Jessica George, born in London to Ghanaian parents, studied English Literature at the University of Sheffield. She worked in literary and theatre roles before joining ...
Vanessa Adekoya
Vanessa Adekoya NONE Vanessa Ideh Adekoya is a speaker, writer, and entrepreneur who quit her corporate job as a Big 4 Accountant to become a Certified Financial Education Instructor and Income Stra...
Tina McElroy Ansa
Tina McElroy Ansa 0000000116428851 Tina McElroy Ansa (November 18, 1949 – September 10, 2024) stories and essays have appeared in several anthologies. She lived with her husband, Joneé ...
Victor McGlothin
Victor McGlothin NONE Victor McGlothin, a bestselling author and filmmaker from Dallas, overcame early reading struggles to complete a Masters degree and leave his banking career for literature. Know...
Walter Zacharius
Walter Zacharius NONE Walter Zacharius (1923-2011) was a WWII veteran and a noted philanthropist. He co-founded Kensington Publishing in 1974, expanding the romance genre and supporting diverse reade...
Angela S. Medearis
Angela S. Medearis NONE Angela Shelf Medearis combines a general love for children‘s literature with a particular attention to the reading needs of young African Americans. “I write the kinds ...
Dwayne Alexander Smith
Dwayne Alexander Smith NONE Born in Harlem, Dwayne Alexander Smith is a professional screenwriter who shifted from electrical engineering to film-making. Inspired by Star Wars, he began with an award...
Afaa Michael Weaver
Afaa Michael Weaver 0000000028622865 Afaa Michael Weaver, born in 1951, is a former factory worker turned prolific poet, writer, and educator. He founded Seventh Son Press, wrote for numerous promine...
Albert French
Albert French 0000000054146305 Albert French, a Vietnam war veteran and former US Marine, turned his distressing war experiences and emotional struggle into powerful memoirs and novels. His works inc...
Ida B. Wells
Ida B. Wells 0000000083935290 Ida B. Wells, born a slave in 1862, was an influential African-American journalist, editor, suffragist, and early Civil Rights leader. Notable for her documentation of l...
Al Sharpton
Al Sharpton 0000000031507112 Reverend Alfred Charles Sharpton, Jr. is a renowned civil rights leader, born in 1954. Called to ministry early on, he was ordained at 9 and later dedicated his life to a...
Eric Jerome Dickey
Eric Jerome Dickey 0000000063940201 Born and raised in Memphis, TN, the author graduated from the University of Memphis and worked various jobs before becoming a stand-up comedian and actor. He's als...
Kirby Roy III
Kirby Roy III NONE Kirby Roy III, introduced to literature at a young age, left Hampton University to pursue writing. After graduating from Clark Atlanta University and while working as a financial a...