A group of youthful, hopeful fans surround Vickie Winans (second from left) before her performance at the Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon held at the Lansing Michigan Civic Center on February 17, 2005. Photo by Micheal Jennings.

Black History month is here once again and it's time to feature some
African-American writers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Mentioned are two men who made an impact on black literary history.
Perhaps you know of them, however, if not, please take time to read up on some of their historical contributions.

Paul Laurence Dunbar, 1872-1906, is widely acknowledged as the first important black poet in American literature. He was born in Dayton, Ohio and was an only son. He married Alice Ruth Moore, a writer and teacher. Dunbar enjoyed his greatest popularity in the early twentieth century following the publication of dialectic verse in collections such as "Majors and Minors" and "Lyrics of Lowly Life".He went on to publish novels, short stories, essays, and many poems in standard English. Please take time to read some of his impressive literary works.

James Arthur Baldwin, 1924-1987, was born in New York, N. Y. an only son. He never married. A novelist and essayist of considerable renown, James Baldwin, bore articulate witness to the unhappy consequences of American racial strife. His fame as a social observer grew in tandem with the civil rights movement as he mirrored blacks' aspirations, disappointments, and coping strategies in a hostile society. Some of his works include: "Nobody Knows My Name: More Notes of a Native Son" and "The Fire Next Time." His fame included short stories, novels, and plays. "Blues for Mr. Charlie" is being performed by the Michigan State University Theater Department within these next couple of weeks. Check dates, times and prices at the MSU theater office.

There are also some very interesting African-American writers that are popular now. Current African-American literature is reviewed in Ebony Magazine, Essence Magazine, Oprah's O Magazine, and many others, etc. Also, please consult your local library and the internet for further listings.

A Young Publishers Club article was not submitted in time to meet the deadline. Therefore we have provided items that we hope will be of interest to our teen readers.