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@Dr T, I'm not saying you can't link Facebook (though I'm obviously not a fan of this). I just think it is important for people link to their own sites or post the content here, and to understand why it is important. Below is Dr. T.'s excerpt: With the Champ's passing, this excerpt from the chapter "Muhammad Ali" takes on new poignancy for me: ...as mentioned, (my brother) Calvin had a personal and professional association with Muhammad Ali. Calvin had a business relationship with Ali’s manager and met Ali through that connection. One day Calvin called me from Vegas, ostensibly to check in on me and see how I was progressing... Dorey answered and handed me the phone, “Calvin is on the phone.” “Yo man,” I said. “How are you feeling?” The voice on the other end was very soft-spoken, deliberate, and somewhat halting. It was not Calvin but was very familiar sounding. “This is Muhammad Ali.” I damn near fell out of my chair. My mind was racing trying to determine what I should say to arguably the most well-known man in the world. If I was standing, I’m sure my knees would be knocking. I responded, “Hi.” How profound! For the next few minutes I listened intently as Muhammad Ali spoke. To be honest, I could barely make out what he said. Although in 1985 Ali looked vibrant and healthy—still “pretty” as he would so often refer to himself whenever a microphone was stuck in his face—there is no question he was already starting to noticeably deteriorate in terms of verbalization; despite the fact that he was cognitively sharp. Ali was so soft spoken and difficult to hear his every word, that I wasn’t sure when he was about to conclude. I sensed he was coming to the end of his comments by a subtle change in his inflection. So, my mind started racing with how I should articulate my honor, gratitude and sincere appreciation to Ali for calling me and wishing me well. Then he said something that I will hold onto for the rest of my life; it was the only thing I can quote verbatim from his difficult to comprehend, very soft-spoken, slightly slurred words. “I will pray for you..." (read additional excerpts from White Man’s Disease here)

MUHAMMED ALI HAS DIED.THE GREATEST, HE ONE OF SPORTS,BLACK. HISTORY GREATS.YOUNG BLACK ATHLETES ARE AFRAID TO TAKE A STAND BLACK ,RACE ISSUES LIKE HE AND JACKIE ROBINSON,ARTHUR ASHE DID...

As a writer, and artist of other forms, I see the arts in general, especially the segment of the African American diaspora, as entering a whole new awakening. Since 2003, when I self published my first title, Love Don't Live Here I've seen the publishing world go through many fazes. Many new, and unexperienced AA writers, took not just the self publishing world by storm, but the whole punlishing industry. Over the years the whole industry has had to change, how they do things, and aclnowledge that, self publishing isn't a fad. It's here to stay. One of the things, I'm delighted to see, are the new era, of multi talented artists. These artists, write books, have an interest in music, film, theatre, etc. They bring with them a whole new level of thinking, as they're not just artistic. But they're also businessminded, and understand the importance of creating a brand. This is beneficial for their legacy, and the African American entertainment, broadcasting and media industry as well. I am interested, in hearing others thoughts on the matter. Therone Shellman

@Cynique You spelled Is as IS. Maybe, you didn't notice the typo. Not for the intention of debate. @Troy I definately understand, what you've mentioned in regards to the closing of so many African American book stores. Many urban literature authors, benefited greatly from them. I personally, only dealt with four. Two of which, are still open. This being, because No Love Lost, is my only street literature, title. My first novel, Love Don't Live Here revised edition, is literary fiction. So I didn't have much success through Black Book Distributors. I then focused my efforts on, hand to hand sales (which is where any indie author should), and I took the risk with, signing with an independent book distributor, which catered to the chain retail market (Borders/ Waldenbooks/Booksamillion), etc. Luckily, I found some success, and had some fun too. Today, independent authors, are selling in Barnes & Nobel, Booksamillion, and I'm not sure. But, I would assume they're utilizing African American book stores. The library market, is always available. Hand to hand sales, is always here to stay. It's way more than setting up on the streets as well. Vendor opportunities, on a short term basis, are available everywhere. I will always be a fan, of authors, publishers, controlling as much of their distribution as possible. I was lucky to be able to out the gate sell alot of copies of the revised edition, in 2005. But an independent author should be focused on the longterm, and building their catalog. This, is how a career and brand is built. With the emergence, of the NYC street market. It was great but it also decieved many. Many authors, and companies were able to build a platform and careers, because of the hardwork, of some authors and the street vendors, who built incredible customer bases, and networks with readers, within NYC. From 2010-2015 this market began to change, as some street vendors left, for various reasons. I took a 4 year hiatus, because I went down south, and I also wanted to restructure, after my distributor closed its doors. Other authors, I assume just focused, on their own boroughs, and locales. When I came back in 2014, and decided to stroll around, no more did I see authors set up as usual. I used to even see out of state authors, occassionally. So many authors, were able to take advantage from the market, which existed. But, many didn't want to put the work in, when it was time for them to grind on their own. Believe, it or not many authors obtained the big book deals, because of the street market. I really don't know why any independent author, would see amazon, or Facebook, as the main avenue to sell books. I see them, as part of an authors portfolio, for marketing, sales channels. Again, controlling avenues to ones customer base is important. Whomever, controls this, controls career(s). There's no easy route to building the ground floor. As far as why so many African American sites closed. You know more than me, because this is your lane. I have my speculations. But as an author, I'm going to remain mute. My position may be prejudiced, a bit. I will say that, your site is broader in it's view, than just books. News, commentary is what attracts people. You mentioned authors, not going it alone. I think any artist needs to protect their brand, and artistic vision. With that being said. They should be a fan of contracts to protect their interests. Most importantly deal with folks, who are on the same page as their vision. After all, it's their career, their ship. I work with quite a few people. One of them does video media for me. I just recently signed on with a company to host a live webshow, beginning July. Working out something with a brother, who is connected to the media. So yeah, I don't think it's about writing and printing books. It's bigger. Just have to be careful, and I do stress from an artist standpoint contracts. Never mix business with pleasure. Some folks have found themselves without a business, and others having unecessary headaches, and drama. I feel we are all creating legacies. So lets view it like this. Thanks for responding @Troy @Cynique

Well Cynique, as many typos as I make I'm not about to go after Therone on that one . One could argue "whole new renaissance" is redundant, but this just a discussion forum and the expectation for editing is an issue only when there is a loss of clarity. Therone is an accomplished author and has been profiled on AALBC.com for more than a deacde, but I understand the point you are making... @TheroneShellman, thanks for coming by and sharing your thoughts on this subject. I can't speak to arts in general, but I can speak to Black books. I started running AALBC.com in 1997. Since then I've been a keen observer of what I call the “Black Book Ecosystem.” During this almost 19 year period I've seen Black books and authors really surge in popularity. Many independent authors (a term I prefer to self-published), were able to ride the wave of this expansion, due to enhancements in technology which dramatically lowered the cost of producing and selling book. When you got started in 2003 The Black Book Ecosystem had not yet peaked, and was still on the come up. In fact, the most notable writers, benefiting from this surge like, Ashley and JaQuavis, and Wahida Clark were largely unknown. Vickie Stringer's Triple Crown Productions was really just getting started pubbing Kwan's Gangsta, Stringer's own, Let That Be the Reason and Nikki Turner's Project Chick. Carl Weber's Urban Books and 50 Cent's G-Unit Books (both owned by Simon and Schuster) were brand new or had not yet started. Of course that is just the urban fictions genre, novels in romance, "chic-lit", sci-fi, and commercial fiction benefited a great deal. Today the landscape is very different, since 2003 we have lost a couple hundred Black owned bookstores, and we have lost many Black book websites. Black authors are not getting book deals in the same numbers, as a decade ago, and those that did, are getting smaller advances. Many authors have simply stopped publishing, have published independently, or have turned to small indie presses, none of which provide advances which help subsidize the careers of a writers. Technologies like print on demand and digital books have made it possible for anyone to create a book. As a result, we have more books in the marketplace than ever before.. But this is not resulting in better books getting into the hands of readers, or increased profits for the authors. This has just been a windfall for purveyors of ebook publishing and POD services. I've already mentioned there are fewer book stores and book sites, but there is also MUCH less coverage of Black books in magazines and newspapers. As result, it is harder for books to find their audience. Meanwhile social media and Amazon have promised to make promotion of books much easier for authors, still the only real beneficiaries of these promises are Amazon and social media. In fact today, the vast majority of book sold are sold by Amazon. I don't have hard data on this, but where else are large numbers of Black book being purchased and sold? But, to your point, I believe the pendulum is beginning to swing in the other direction, back in our favor, and that Black literature is indeed in the dawn of new renaissance. This renaissance, like all the others, is driven by need. Writers are beginning to see that all of these technologies are not serving us the way they are currently being used. I also believe that people are beginning to see that going it alone is not working. We are starting to exploit technologies to our benefit and stricking alliances to leverage our collective strengths. This is the change in thinking we must make, from a business perspective, to continue to fuel this renaissance. So the quick answer is; "Yes, we are."

Thanks for the shout out, Troy!

Pioneer you know the answer to that question

Your statement they allow us says it all