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Kwame Mbalia

Kwame Mbalia is a husband, father, writer, #1 New York Times bestselling author, and former pharmaceutical metrologist, in that order. He is the author of the Tristan Strong trilogy, the Last Gate of the Emperor duology, and Black Boy Joy—an anthology of 17 stories celebrating Black boyhood. His work has received numerous starred reviews and a Coretta Scott King Honor. A Howard University graduate and a Midwesterner now in North Carolina, Kwame survives on dad jokes and Cheez-Its.

Celebrate Freedom on Juneteenth

Juneteenth commemorates the day the last enslaved people were emancipated in the United States on June 19, 1865. This Juneteenth, celebrate freedom via Black authors and trailblazers whose work continues to shape our culture, celebrates liberation, and acknowledges the ongoing work towards freedom and equality, still necessary over 150 years later. More Juneteenth Titles

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Celebrate Black Excellence

February marks Black History Month: a time to commemorate the lives and work of Black trailblazers, from artists and scientists to freedom fighters and politicians. Learn their stories, listen to contemporary voices advocating for the work that’s still left to be done, and celebrate Black excellence and culture through food, fashion, music, art, and more.

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Special Q&A with editor Kwame Mbalia about his anthology, BLACK BOY JOY!

This month, the Penguin Random House Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Outreach committee is happy to share a special Q&A with editor Kwame Mbalia about his anthology, BLACK BOY JOY!       What gave you the idea to create this anthology? How did you go about choosing which contributors you wanted to participate?   This

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