Looking for a new way to celebrate Black History Month? Look no further than this list of diverse and imaginative Black authors to get you back into the reading habit, and support some up-and-coming artists.
Cicely Belle Bain – Burning Sugar
Starting off this list, we have a true trailblazer of modern Canadian Poetry as well as Anti-racist activism. Bain is known for being the founder of the Black Lives Matter Organization in Vancouver BC, and the CEO of Bakau Consulting. Bain has risen in the literary spotlight for their recent collection of poetry Burning Sugar, which highlights their experience navigating a pre-colonial world as a Black, queer individual. Their poems cultivate an equally frustrating and beautiful depiction of the world, a depiction that inspires both rage and wonder. Burning Sugar is a challenging read but is nevertheless deserving of the veneration that it will surely inspire in all who read it.
Tomi Adeyemi – Children of Blood and Bone
Tomi Adeyemi’s debut novel, Children of Blood and Bone, was published in 2018 and quickly cemented itself as one of the most popular books of the year. Adeyemi, a Nigerian-American writer based in Los Angeles, was only 24 when the book was released. The book deal itself is noteworthy—a seven-figure deal and the rights to the movie bought by Fox 2000! Children of Blood and Bone debuted #1 on The New York Times bestseller list for young adult books, and received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus. The audio book, narrated by Bahni Turpin, won an Audie Award for best audiobook. Adeyemi has gone on The Tonight Show when her book was selected as Jimmy Fallon’s first pick for the summer book club in 2018. She also won a Hugo and Nebula award for her work. The sequel Children of Virtue and Vengeance was also released in 2019. The third book, Children of Anguish and Anarchy, is still pending publication.
Aaron Clark – Various Books
Aaron Clark is a novelist, screen writer, ex-cop, and master of suspense from LA. He has authored over four novels including A Novel of Crime, The Science of Paul, and Under Color of the Law. All true crime fans need to pick up one of Clark’s novels. Each is packed with suspense, mystery, and visceral depictions of the systemic inequalities that plague the American justice system. Each novel is insightful and incredibly detailed, and will having you biting your nails within a few chapters. Clark has also made a name for himself in the academic word as an instructor at UCLA, where he teaches Crime Fiction.
Tracy Deonn – Legendborn
Tracy Deonn is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of Legendborn and Bloodmarked, part of The Legendborn Cycle. She is also a Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe award winner, and has contributed to several anthologies including From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back; At Midnight; Our Stories, Our Voices; and more. Her wildly successful book Legendborn is a King Arthur retelling. There’s everything you can hope for from a fantasy book: strong and lovable characters, magic, secrets, and intrigue. Bree Matthews, our protagonist, is one of our favourite characters to date. Her books are well-loved, becoming instant New York Times and Indie bestsellers, and a starred review from SLJ. Deonn was also a finalist for a Hugo award.
Tiffany D. Jackson – Various books
If you’re more into mystery and contemporary books, Tiffany D. Jackson is the perfect author for you. She has many books including Monday’s Not Coming, Allegedly, Let Me Hear A Rhyme, Grown, and more. She is an award-winning author—receiving a Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe New Talent Award—and nominee of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Image Award. She attended both Howard University and the New School University for her undergraduate and masters education, respectively, and has worked for years in the TV and film industry. Jackson crafts wonderful, thought-provoking stories that are difficult to put down. The mystery and need to find out what happens next ensure you’ll make it through each book very quickly!
Kaie Kellough – Various books and poetry
Kellough is a Canadian poet, novelist, and artist from Vancouver, BC. Kaie Kellough was raised in Calgary but moved to Montreal when he was an undergraduate. Mostly known for his collections of poetry such as Magnetic Equator, which won the Griffen Poetry Prize in 2020. His short story collection Dominoes at the Crossroads won the Hugh Maclennan Prize for Fiction during the Quebec Writers Federation Awards in 2021. Aside from literature, Kellough has also made a name for himself in the word of audio recordings. A proponent of vocal sound poetry performances, Kellough considers himself both the poetry’s author and actor. His vocal range, cadence, and love of anticipatory pauses has garnered him a top spot in the major audio-recording applications nationwide.
By no means is this a complete list—there are so many amazing Black authors around the world. This Black History Month (and beyond!), read more stories from people who might not look like you. Read from Black authors and hear their stories. Support authors so more stories can be published. We all benefit from consuming diverse art and media. Sometimes we have to do a little more digging beyond what’s in-your-face popular, which often overlooks Black authors and books. Hopefully this list serves as a starting point!