We created this group to build a community that supports Authors of Color (AoC) and their writing endeavors. We welcome allies of all backgrounds to help raise up the diverse talent we know we have in this industry.

We believe that there is a place for our characters, our voices and our stories. We are all at different stages of our writing/author journey and want to continue to learn and educate others who were standing where we were a year ago (or 5 years, or a month). Here, you check your ego at the door, roll up your sleeves and uplift not only yourself, but others who need a shoulder. None of us got to where we are alone, and in sharing your experience, knowledge and influence, we can inspire the next generation of AoC looking to develop their career.

We welcome AoC of all genres (Mystery, Thriller, Sci-fi, etc). There is so much we can learn from each other whether we’re newbies or vets, traditionally published or independent, Romance author or Sci-Fi. This isn’t a zero-sum game. If we treat it that way we’re just fighting against ourselves and not the industry who feels they cannot market books written by AoC. We don’t yet have an author or book that breaks the boundaries like “Black Panther” did for the movie industry–but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. Dare I say, it should be a goal?

We encourage you to network, keep an open mind and actively participate in the group. You will only get what you put into it. Volunteer. Host a Live Chat. Lead a course on something you’re really awesome at doing since becoming an author. Recruit and bring new talent into the fold. The more robust we build this community, the more helpful it will be for many. The more unified we are, the bigger the voice. And the bigger the voice, the bigger the influence.

And influence, changes the game.