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12 Contemporary Black Authors You Must Read
References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
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.

12 Contemporary Black Authors You Must Read: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • René Ostberg
    René Ostberg is an associate editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica. 

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Noted that James's The Disappearers was shortlisted for the 2026 Booker Prize. Sep 23, 2026
Added Colson Whitehead's Harlem Trilogy and Marlon James's The Disappearers. Jul 28, 2026
Added a photo of Tayari Jones and her book Kin. Feb 20, 2026
Added bullet points of recommended reads. Oct 03, 2024
Added a cross-reference to James McBride. Apr 25, 2024
Added a photo of James McBride. Apr 11, 2024
New article added. Jan 30, 2024
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