Born April 13, Nella Larsen was an author of the classic novels Quicksand and Passing.
365 Black Books Rita Williams-Garcia Monday
Happy birthday Rita Williams-Garcia! Born April 13, Rita Williams-Garcia is an award winning children’s and young adult author. Her notable books include One Crazy Summer, She Persisted-Florence Griffith Joyner, and A Sitting in St. James.
365 Black Books Vanessa Riley Sunday
Today at the Detroit Public Library, Vanessa Riley talked about her latest book: Fire Sword and Sea, a historical novel about a black female pirate. In addition to writing historical novels, Vanessa Riley has also written romance and murder mysteries.
365 Black Books Ethel Morgan Smith Saturday
Happy birthday Ethel Morgan Smith! Born April 11, 1952, Ethel Morgan Smith is an author and professor. She was also the 2023 Eudora Welty Prize Scholar for her book, Path to Grace Reimagining the Civil Rights Movement.
365 Black Books James Monroe Whitfield Friday
Born April 10, 1822, James Monroe Whitfield was an influential African American poet and activist born in Exeter, New Hampshire. He was known for his poem, America
365 Black Books: Paule Marshall Thursday
Born April 9, 1929, Paule Marshall was a novelist that emphasized Black Americans reclaim their African heritage. She received a MacArthur Award and her book, Praisesong for the Widow received an American Book Award. Here are just a few of her novels:
365 Black Books Nnedi Okorafor Wednesday
Happy birthday Nnedi Okorafor! She celebrates her 52nd birthday today, April 8! She is the award author of several science fiction, fantasy, and Afrofuturism books. Here are just a few of her award winning titles!
365 Black Books Douglas Kearney Tuesday
I continue to recognize poets during April is Poetry month. Today’s poet is Douglas Kearney, poet, performer, and librettist. He was a 2021 National Book Award for Poetry finalist for his book, Sho. Other works by Douglas Kearney:
365 Black Books Eugenia Collier Monday
Happy 98th birthday Eugenia Collier! Eugenia Collier is a writer and critic best known for her 1969 short story “Marigolds”, which won the first Gwendolyn Brooks Prize for Fiction in 1969; it was Collier’s first published story. She was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Collier’s collection, Breeder and Other Stories, was released in 1993. More of her works:
365 Black Books Booker T. Washington Sunday
Blessed heavenly birthday Booker Taliaferro Washington! Born April 5, Booker T. Washington was an educator, author, founder and first president of what is now Tuskegee University. Known for Up From Slavery, Booker T. Washington wrote several books. Here are just a few:
The CamaraIfe Maktaba 