KRLemmons African American Authors, African American children's literature, African American Middle Grades Literature, African American Young Adult Literature

365 Black Books Renee Watson Wednesday

Happy birthday Renee Watson! Born July 29, Renee Watson is a #1 New York Times bestselling author with over one million books sold. TIME named Watson a 2026 Visionary, honoring her commitment to helping children and young people reach their full potential. Renee Watson was among the first authors invited to give a reading at the Obama Presidential Center. Renee Watson is best known for her Newbery Medal winning All the Blues in the Sky and New York Times bestselling young adult novel Piecing Me Together. Watson was among the first authors invited to give a reading at the Obama Presidential Center.

KRLemmons African American Authors, African American Poetry, African American Poets, African American Short Stories

365 Black Books Henry Dumas Thursday

Heavenly belated birthday wishes Henry Dumas! Born July 20, 1934, Henry Dumas was an African American writer and poet. He was called “an absolute genius” by Toni Morrison, who as a commissioning editor at Random House published posthumous collections of his poetry and of his short stories, in 1974. He died in 1968. Some of his notable works:

Some of Henry Dumas’ poetry can be read here:

KRLemmons African American academic work, African American Authors, African American Literature, African American Nonfiction, African American Plays, African American Playwrights, African American Poetry, African American Poets

365 Black Books Thulani Davis Wednesday

Belated happy birthday Thulani Davis! Born July 19, is an African American playwright, journalist, librettist, novelist, poet, and screenwriter. She is a graduate of Barnard College and attended graduate school at both the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University. Here are some of her notable works:

KRLemmons African American Authors, African American Poetry, African American Poets, African American Short Stories

365 Black Books Alice Dunbar Nelson Tuesday

Heavenly belated birthday wishes Alice Dunbar Nelson! Born July 19, 1875, Alice Dunbar Nelson was an African American poet, journalist, and political activist. Among the first generation of African Americans born free in the Southern United States after the end of the American Civil War, she was one of the prominent African Americans involved in the artistic flourishing of the Harlem Renaissance. She died in 1935. Here are some of her notable works:

KRLemmons African American Authors, African American Journalists, African American Nonfiction

365 Black Books Ida B. Wells-Barnett Sunday

Heavenly belated birthday wishes Ida B. Wells-Barnett! Born July 16, 1892, Ida B. Wells-Barnett was an African American investigative journalist, sociologist, educator, and early leader in the civil rights movement. She was one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. She died in 1931. Some of her notable works:

KRLemmons African American anthology, African American Authors, African American Poetry, African American Poets

365 Black Books Mari Evans Saturday

Heavenly belated birthday wishes Mari Evans! Born July 16, 1923 (some sources say 1919), Mari Evans was an African-American poet, writer, and dramatist associated with the Black Arts Movement. Evans received grants and awards including a lifetime achievement award from the Indianapolis Public Library Foundation. Her poetry is known for its lyrical simplicity and the directness of its themes. She died in 2017. Here are a few of her notable works:

Read some of her poems here: