Troy

Barbara Chase-Riboud, the author of the award-winning Sally Hemings now brings to life Hannah Elias, one of the richest black women in America in the early 1900s, in this mesmerizing novel. Packed with glamour, suspense, history, and drama, The Great Mrs. Elias brings a fascinating woman and the age she embodied to glorious, tragic life. Buy Now ▶ Children’s Africana Book Awards 2021 The Children’s Africana Book Awards (CABA) are presented annually to the authors and illustrators of the best children’s and young adult books on Africa published, or republished, in the U.S. The awards were created by Africa Access and the Outreach Council of the African Studies Association (ASA) to encourage the publication and use of accurate, balanced children’s materials about Africa. The awards are presented in two categories: Young Children and Older Readers. Read More ▶ Killens Review of Arts & Letters: Back Issues Available Limited copies of back issues of the Killens Review Arts & Letters are now available. The Review was launched in 2010 and welcomes Black poets, novelists, short story writers, playwrights, journalists, essayists, scholars, yet-to-be-discovered writers, and visual artists whose works resonate with an intergenerational range of readers throughout the African Diaspora. Quantities are truly limited; act now to secure one of these collector’s items today! Jigsaw Puzzles on AALBC Brave. Black. First.: A Jigsaw Puzzle and Poster Celebrating African American Women Who Changed the World_ by Cheryl Willis Hudson, Illustrated by Erin K. Robinson A one-of-a-kind puzzle featuring groundbreaking African American women, published in collaboration with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Based on the children’s book Brave. Black. First., this puzzle celebrates the artists, athletes, activists, politicians, and writers who championed civil rights in their communities. From Sojourner Truth and Ruby Bridges to Angela Y. Davis and Michelle Obama, the collaged image captures the iconic moments of African American women whose heroism and bravery rewrote the American story for the better. Buy Now ▶ Publishers Weekly Begins 150 Anniversary Celebration Publishers Weekly, known in the book world as “the bible of the book business,” is currently celebrating its 150th anniversary. Publishers Weekly (PW) has grown into a multimedia news platform with international coverage of the book publishing industry. Its varied products are used by publishers, booksellers, librarians, literary agents, authors, book lovers, and the media. PW publishes articles and news on the book business, bestsellers lists, and industry statistics, but their best-known service is their prepublication book reviews, of which they publish nearly 9,000 a year. PW covers the Black Book Ecosystem better than arguably any other media platform. In 1999, they were one of the first publications to cite in AALBC in a magazine article, “A Diverse Market for African-American Books Keeps Growing.” Most recently, PW covered our collective effort to get President Biden to pardon Marcus Garvey; “Black Booksellers Launch Petition to Pardon Marcus Garvey.” If you are a book lover you will definitely enjoy (PW). Read More ▶ Why I Provide Financial Support to AALBC A couple of weeks ago I emailed all of the readers who, over the past three years, have chosen to provide financial support to AALBC by paying for their newsletter subscription. My goal was to thank these ardent supporters, solicit feedback, and understand what motivates them to provide financial support. The responses were truly helpful and motivating. I have shared the feedback of one supporter below: “I am motivated by AALBC's commitment to community and readership, consistency, and love and respect of books. In the midst of financial challenges, AALBC remains resilient. AALBC is a valued institution and the leading website for books, literary resources, and information on African diasporic literature. Our books record our history/herstory as a global people. Books honor and document the sacrifices of America's enslaved Africans, our ancestors. Men, women, and children could be murdered if caught daring to read. It is crucial that we protect our institutions. We are under attack. There is a concerted effort to erase African American history/herstory, our contributions, and civil and human rights. Our books are being banned daily in schools and libraries across America. Troy Johnson, you are doing a great job with AALBC! Please continue the fight! We need you! We can unite to grow readers, book clubs, and collectives by purchasing books from AABLC and other Black bookstores. We as a community continue to support Black athletes, actors, etc. It's time they support us by adopting a Blackstore. This applies to the entire Black diaspora. Thank you, for your commitment and service!” Aluta Continua! Lorraine Currelley Executive Director(s) Poets Network & Exchange Bronx Book Fair Dear Reader, Always remember Reader, you are why we’ve been able to make AALBC the premier online platform for books by, or about, people of African descent. Your paid subscriptions, book purchases, suggestions, engagement on the site, commenting, social sharing, and advertisements help support AALBC’s mission. Peace and Love, Troy Johnson Founder & Webmaster, AALBC.com This message is sponsored by Amistad Consider sponsoring our eNewsletter or a dedicated email. ★ AALBC.com eNewsletter – February 8, 2022 - Issue #351

Hi Taryn, for an existing, independently published book, getting distribution such that you book can be made available for sale in bookstores nationally can be a challenge. Distributors and wholesalers all have requirements that are difficult for an unknown, indie authors with a single book can meet. That said, reach out to the distributors on this page (also mention in original artice): https://aalbc.com/content.php?title=A+List+of+Black-Owned+Book+Distributors+and+Wholesalers Also consider using the bookstore lists to find booksellers that you may have an affinity with (one near your home for example) that might be willing to carry you book.

It is empathy Brother. Well I was aware there was an academic definition that had been in sure for years, perhaps decades. I just did not care enough to research it. The whole CRT beef seems to be media driven. a (social)media that is optimized for sowing dissent rather than enlightening people and creating harmony.

If I understand you correctly if your husband did not feel he experienced racism in the military during his 39 year career, then racism and racists acts did not take place in the military or anywhere else. Is that what you are saying? Many physicists hate it when lay people take technical terms and ideas from quantum physics and apply them to everyday life. " What do you want out of life?" This is a good question @Del I know one way to get at the answer is for one to take their first response, then ask "Why?" Then keep asking why until you can't go any deeper. If you have not arrived at your answer you need to ponder the question more. @Delano In your response to @nels did you mean "elaborate?" If so, that is the "why" question I'm referring to above 🙂

I'm not sure what CRT's technical definition is, but anyone with a cursory knowledge of American history who does not feel uncomfortable probably has a mental disorder.

Hi @richardmurray in your blog post questioning Ebony's viability you wrote, "...in the usa people, all races, are buying less and less books in any form." I was wondering where you got that stat? No, I do believe a print version of Ebony will be wrought with challenges. I just don't think a lack of potential readers will be their problem. The need to publish substantive articles. Celebrity fluff will not cut it -- at least not with me. If they follow the mainstream media's lead, in the way Black people are covered, they will fail. Ebony needs to elevate itself above the fray -- the way they did in the past.

Word on the street is Ebony will resume publishing a print version of its iconic magazine. Your Browser does not support the video element

I have never followed a link of @nels, but I suspect this is true. The sheer number of the URLs has a spammy quality... Over the past few years I've observed that links offered to make a point usually do not support the point made. Often the linked article does the exactly opposite -- refuting the posters claim! That, or the source itself is specious, unworthy of being read. @ProfD Few humans get more attention than Trump. He plays the media like a fiddle and they can't help themselves because they crave the attention (read: revenue) that Trump creates. This will never change with the current system. Trump can very easily become President again under these conditions. Of couse election laws and gerrymandering in favor of his party with help make this possible. The mid-term elections will be very telling.

I'm not sure I understand what you are trying to say here. The reality is that the vast majority of NFTs lose money (more than 90%). We always read the stories of the people who hit it big, but never about the countless people who lose money. This biased coverage and/or algorithm creates the impression that all you have to do is create an NFT and some poor sap will come by an pay you a fortune for it. This has always been the case with anything new. In the early days of the web people thought all you have to do is put up a website and the money will start rolling in. Most websites lose money, but the media focuses on the spectacular successes. Again this distorts reality and people are misled. That said there are probably ways people can make money with NFT, as one can make still make money with a website. The truth, I suspect, is that most people will lose, some will make modest amounts and others, an minuscule portion of the total, will get rich. The rich ones are the only ones you'll ever read about...

Yeah man readership and participation is enjoying an increase recently. I can't keep up with all the comments. With an increase in traffic comes an increase in spam comments. The comments never get seen, so it really makes no sense that they are made. It is just irritating to me because I have to spend time deleting them. I can relate to the work hours, but as Mzuri says it depends on what you are doing... I would not invest in crypto currency as a short term measure because it is too volatile. My own crypto currency is down 10% over the past few months, and I only hold Ethereum and Bitcoin and it is a long term investment. I'm working with a African based startup company to help mint NTFs, but the difference is that we want to give the NTFs some real world utility and foster community. It is a sad commentary, on our wealthy society, that working 60 hours a week is required for anyone to stay out of poverty.

The spirit of Marcus Garvey is alive and well. You just ain't gonna realize it on TicTok or the 'Gram.

Ta-Nehisi Coates (the son of W. Paul Coates of Black Classic Press) will join us Sunday, February 6, on our Zoom call with commentary on Marcus Garvey.

Sure if that is there only news source. Perhaps, but based upon the sources you cite most frequently the Daily Mail is a primary source for you. The problem however is that the Daily Mail has a bad reputation why use it as a source at all? Censorship of social media would not be necessary if so many people did not use it as their primary sources of information. Our course Facebook in an effort to make more money controls what you see, so two different people can visit the platform and come away with two different versions of reality. When those realities are clearly false like Pizza-gate, the dangers of global warning, or Covid-19 then we have a serious problem. I don't believe in censorship, but modern technology has created a modern day version of yelling "fire" in a crowed theater. We can't stand around an make believe this is not a problem.

Here are a few quotes from Garvey's First Message to the Negroes of the World from Atlanta Prison (Look for me in the Whirlwind) The idiots thought that they could humiliate me personally, but in that they are mistaken. The minutes of suffering are counted, and when God and Africa comeback and measure out retribution these minutes may multiply by thousands for the sinners. Our Arab and Riffian friends will be ever vigilant, as the rest of Africa and ourselves shall be. Be assured that I planted well the seed of Negro or black nationalism which cannot be destroyed even by the foul play that has been meted out to me. My work is just begun, and when the history of my suffering is complete, then future generations of Negroes will have in their hands the guide by which they shall know the "sins" of the twentieth century. I, and I know you, too, believe in time, and we shall wait patiently for two hundred years, if need be to face our enemies through our posterity. If I die in Atlanta my work shall then only begin, but I shall live, in the physical or spiritual to see the day of Africa's glory. When I am dead wrap the mantle of the Red, Black and Green around me, for in the new life I shall rise with God's grace and blessing to lead the millions up the heights of triumph with the colors that you well know. Look for me in the whirlwind or the storm, look for me all around you, for, with God's grace, I shall come and bring with me countless millions of black slaves who have died in America and the West Indies and the millions in Africa to aid you in the fight for Liberty, Freedom and Life. source: https://www.unia-acl.org

In all seriousness Mzuri (anyone), if you are getting all of your news from a single source you are being indoctrinated or lied to

She would be a member of a large crowd of people. Again, I could care less if he is racist or not. When one's behavior is indistinguishable from a racist -- it make little difference. I did not mean to imply that you idolized Obama. All I was trying to say is that people Idolize Trump just as much as they Idolize Obama. Either is extreme of worship is indicative of a problem. Trump sent me a couple of checks, Obama bailed out the wealthy bankers 🤪 At the end of the day, Obama was a far more respectable president than Trump. Sure you can, most things are nearly as black and white as people make them out to be.

If I commented every time you cited the daily mail that would be all I would have time to post.

I thought you wanted me to stay out of your disputes? The issue I have with your frequent use of the Daily mail is one I've raised before. Sources matter.

Yeah like Twitter or Instagram. I was unaware, until now, of your attempt to rally folks to participate here. While people freely create accounts on social media. They are curiously reluctant to do the same on Black sites. Even when people buy books from this site the vast majority do not create accounts or save their most basic personal information. Of course these same peoples give Amazon all their information. This puts Black sites at a disadvantage to corporate sites (read: white sites). I don't know a way around this. If I let people posts as quests this site would be over run with spam.

Name calling does not strengthen your argument any more than citing the Daily Mail or Wikipedia.

Extreme hatred of Trump and Over-the-top love of Obama never made sense to me, and are perhaps equally psychotic They are both flawed people ... like the rest of us. Trump has plenty of people from Jim Born to Kayne West in his white house. Even Amarosa is part of his team . He also commuted the sentences of plenty of Black people. Racism is a tool Trump will wield when it serves him ... which I guess make one racist. I find Obama's refusal to exonerate Marcus Garvey curious.

They have the power, they just are unwilling to use it. That would require self-sacrifice which few of us have the stomach for nowadays. The tabloid is well known for no being too concerned with facts, like Fox News. Don't take it personally it is just the demonstrable truth -- not even worth debating. Whoopie's (her name is apropos I see) suspension is of zero interest to me. They can cancel the entire show for all I care. A two week suspension seems more like a publicity stunt to draw attention to the show.

This remarkable picture book, Hey You!: An Empowering Celebration of Growing Up Black, is a lyrical, inspirational exploration of growing up Black, written by award-winning illustrator Dapo Adeola, and brought to life by some of the most exciting Black artists of today. Buy Now ▶ 2022 Coretta Scott King Award Winning and Honored Books\ The Coretta Scott King Awards are presented annually by the American Library Association to honor African-American authors and illustrators who create outstanding books for children and young adults. “… an excellent start on your quest for the best in African-American literature for children.” The award was established in 1969 to recognize authors. In 1979 it was expanded to include a separate award for illustrators. There are five categories of book awards; Author, Author Honor, Illustrator, Illustrator Honor, and the John Steptoe Award for New Talent. Check out the 2022 honored books and those going back to 1997 — most are still and print and new copies may be purchased. African-American Children’s Books Galore! Technically a website like AALBC can carry every book in print and let readers figure out the best ones to read or use algorithms to push the books that will generate the most profit. AALBC is different. All of the books on our website, close to 20K titles, are curated by a wide variety of book professionals to ensure any book you find on AALBC will be an excellent one. This is probably more true for children’s books than any other genre. Below are a few, of many lists, of children’s books selected just for our visitors. The lists included books that were critically acclaimed, award winners, recommended booksellers, or resonated strongly with me. Enjoy! ▪ Bestselling Children’s Book Authors You’ll Love ♥ ▪ 25 Bestselling Children’s Books for Full Year - 2021 ▪ Top 150 Recommended African-American Children’s Books: 1972 – 2020 ▪ The Most Critically Acclaimed Children’s Books of the Year ▪ Children’s Books by Target Age Group ▪ 110 Board Books Celebrating Black Culture ▪ The Best African American Children’s Picture Books for 2020 ▪ Our Latest Bestselling Children’s Books ▪ The John Newbery Medal for the Most Distinguished American Children’s Books ▪ The Children’s Africana Book Award-Winning Books 30th Annual African American Children’s Book Fair Over 30 literary creators will participating in the book fair. Meet Ekua Holmes, Ibi Zoboi, EB Lewis, Jason Reynolds, Leah Henderson, Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, Paula Chase, Karyn Parson, Kekla Magoon, Tina Wells, Cheryl Willis Hudson, Gordon C. James, Torrey Maldonado, Schele Williams, C.J. Farley, Nancy Devard and Antwan Eady. For more information call (215) 878-BOOK. Virtual Preview: Saturday, February 5, 2022 – 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. EST Face book Live. Get an inside look at the stellar lineup of some of the best and the brightest from the children’s literary community. Register Here ▶ Live Event: Saturday, February 26, 2022, from 1:00 to 4 p.m. EST Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th Arch Street on Hosted by the African American Children’s Book Project, the book fair is one of the oldest and largest single-day events for children's books in the country. Games, prizes, and promotional giveaways will highlight the afternoon. A wide selection of affordable Black children’s books will be available for purchase. Learn More ▶ Dear Reader, Occasionally someone will tell me, “There are very few good books featuring Black children.” When I started AALBC, in 1997, this was true. Today, I can’t keep up with all the terrific books being published. If you are anywhere near Philly on February 26th, check out the African American Children’s Book Fair (mentioned above). I attended in 2020, was thoroughly impressed, and discovered some books that I now sell on AALBC. Always remember Troy, you are why we’ve been able to make AALBC the premier online platform for books by, or about, people of African descent. Your paid subscriptions, book purchases, suggestions, engagement on the site, commenting, social sharing, and advertisements help support AALBC’s mission. Peace and Love, Troy Johnson Founder & Webmaster, AALBC.com This message is sponsored by sponsored by Nancy Paulsen Books Consider sponsoring our eNewsletter or a dedicated email. ★ AALBC.com eNewsletter – February 3, 2022 - Issue #350