12 Contemporary Black Authors You Must Read: Quick Facts

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Photos

Colson Whitehead wearing a teal jacket and patterned shirt, standing in front of a gray backdrop at an event in 2021.

Jacqueline Woodson

Author James McBride sits in a blue chair, speaking onstage in a dark suit, maroon turtleneck, and black cap, with stage lights and a blue backdrop behind him.

Jesmyn Ward facing the camera and smiling slightly, wearing a dark coat and patterned scarf, with a stone wall in the background.

Kevin Young stands outside the National Museum of African American History and Culture, wearing glasses, a navy blazer, and a patterned pocket square.

Ta-Nehisi Coates

Roxane Gay sits onstage with hands folded, wearing a gray top and showing tattooed forearms, speaking at a panel during the 2022 TCM Classic Film Festival in Los Angeles.

N.K. Jemisin sits at a table holding her book How Long 'til Black Future Month? at a book signing, with additional copies stacked beside her and bookshelves in the background.

Author Tayari Jones smiles at the camera, wearing a yellow floral top and pearl earrings, with a black background.

Terry McMillan smiles while holding her book I Almost Forgot About You at a signing table, with pens on the table and a dark backdrop behind her.

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Topics

African American literature slave narrative African American folktale Today in History—March 11: A Raisin in the Sun Makes Theatrical History