african american women authors

When Maya Angelou and Tavis Smiley met in 1986, he was twenty-one and she was fifty-eight. For the next twenty-eight years they shared an unlikely, special bond. Angelou was a teacher and a maternal figure to Smiley, and they talked often, of art, politics, history, race, religion, music, love, purpose and courage. Especially the courage to be open, to follow dreams, to believe in oneself. Tavis Smiley's personal memories and decades-long friendship with one of history's most fascinating women enriched his life.

Looks at the life and works of children's author Jacqueline Woodson, winner of the Coretta Scott King and Newbery Honor awards.

Relates the author's personal narrative of the time she spent in Ghana with other Black American expatriates.

Bell Hooks explains how her life has been influenced by her sexuality, her radical political beliefs, her writing, and the woman's movement.

Reflections by the author on the period of time in her life when she went from being a reclusive writer to a public figure due to the filming of her book, The Color Purple.

Relates the author's personal narrative of the time she spent in Ghana with other Black American expatriates.

Chronicles the lives and works of 100 black women authors writing in the United States between 1900 and 1945.

Essays on black women's autobiographies examine the struggles and triumphs of the black women.

A continuation of the autobiographical series by the author of "I know why the caged bird sings" and "Gather together in my name." Tells of her failed marriage to a white man, her theatrical career, and of her relationship with her son.