African Urban

Black Picket Fences is a stark, moving, and candid look at a section of America that is too often ignored by both scholars and the media: the Black middle class. The result of living for three years in "Groveland", a Black middle-class neighborhood on Chicago's South Side, sociologist Mary Pattillo-McCoy has written a book that explores both the advantages and the boundaries that exist for members of the Black middle class.

Author Thomas Healy resurrects a forgotten saga of race, capitalism, and the struggle for equality in this fascinating, forgotten story of the 1970s attempt to build a city dedicated to racial equality in the heart of “Klan Country”.

There's more to 24-year-old Sdia Mitchell than looks. This native Washingtonian has brains and brawn to match, but not without baggage. She was sexually abused as a child, which is more than a load for this beauty to carry. Just when Sdia begins to find peace and self-acceptance, along comes Mel Simmons, a handsome, fast-talking, womanizing barbershop owner from South Jersey. He not only takes pride in the control he has over his career, but, also in the control he has over his women. Soon Sdia finds herself struggling to escape Mel's demands, obsession, and narcissistic rage.

Sisters from Trinidad, Violet and Lily have never had much in common. Stunning Lily arrives undocumented in New York and makes her way as a stripper. But Harvard-educated Violet is this close to the perfect assimilated life, thanks to a prestigious job, and her rich bougie fiance.... Until she's wrongly accused of helping a notorious strip-club mogul embezzle millions of his workers' earnings. Violet loses everything - except the determination to get her life back. Now Violet's on his track with the help of his vengeful ex-wife and the Lower East Side Women's Health Clinic's resourceful crew - which includes Lily.

When retired FBI forensic psychologist Spencer Berry and his dog break up a scuffle between gang members, in the process of chasing one with a gun, they end up discovering the nude remains of a young woman partially submerged in a creek behind the home of police spokeswoman Deidre Lawrence. The deceased appears to be the victim of the Park Killer, a serial murderer terrorizing Sinclair Heights, Oregon over the past three years.

When her son is accused of a violent crime, church first lady Gloria Jones finds herself battling his prosecutor - as well as her own inner demons - to save him in this drama-filled novel from best-selling, award-winning author ReShonda Tate Billingsley.

In 1983 Chicago elected Harold Washington as the city's first black mayor. This is the story of Washington's improbable victory over Jane Byrne, heir to the late Richard J. Daley's political empire, and over Daley's eldest son. It's the story of a coalition outside the party's mainstream coming to power and ruling in the country's most political of cities. In Fire on the Prairie, Gary Rivlin reveals the personalities and philosophies of those who were at the center of events, from black separatists such as Lu Palmer to community organizers such as Jesse Jackson....

Born and raised in the projects of Richmond, VA, Derick Richards life was changed and his destiny to become a federal agent was forged at an early age when he witnessed the untimely death of his older brother and father figure Carlo at the hands of a up and coming drug dealer.

Written with exclusive access to Outlaw himself, Charles Barber’s Citizen Outlaw is the unforgettable story of how a gang leader became the catalyst for one of the greatest civic crime reductions in America, and an inspiring argument for love and compassion in the face of insurmountable odds.

For some, love starts with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends in tears. For four friends from Queens, it's about to get complicated....

Mia thinks her life is completely normal. She has a loving boyfriend, great and supportive friends, and a close relationship with her mother. Things take an interesting turn, however, when she is almost run down by a car one day. Then come the messages from an untraceable number. Not to mention the heartbreaking secret that is revealed shortly thereafter. Suddenly, everything that Mia thought was right in her life goes wrong. She has no idea why, but she needs to find out before her secret stalker decides her time is up.

After many years of misery, Zen Brooks is finally free. Free from her cheating husband, free from a dead-end job, and free from more than 100 pounds of weight that she worked hard to lose. Now, she is enjoying life and determined not to ever go back to being the person she was. Josh Miller had the world in the palm of his hands. Once one of the top players in the NBA with millions of dollars in his bank account, there was nothing in this world that he wanted and couldn't have. But his world and career came crashing down because of bad habits, bad choices, and a bad attitude.

KoKo is back with a thirst for revenge. Treachery looms thick in her midst as she plants the brutal Kiss of Death on whoever is in her way. The plot thickens while KoKo is on her quest to find everyone involved in Kayson's murder. A guilty confession. Past family secrets that set a chain of events into play may cause her whole world to come crumbling down. Will KoKo maintain the empire that Kayson left behind or will the secrets and deception ultimately destroy her?

Who can Kiam trust when friends behave as ruthlessly as enemies and the person that he is most loyal to is the very one that has a gun aimed at his back? Reeling in a bloodthirsty rage, he takes to the streets with only one mission on his mind - vengeance. Blood-stained hands and deceitful hearts have destroyed an undying allegiance. As Kiam unleashes his vicious murder game on known adversaries, he overlooks the true enemy which is nearest. However, spilled blood will lead him to the truth.

They say loyalty is everything, but beneath the surface of a promise lies betrayal and deceit. Taught by the best and given the keys to an empire, Kiam's loyalty is tested at every turn, as he strives to enforce his rule over those who ultimately can't be trusted. A deadly warning directs his course as he strives to carry out his orders. Complications set in when his mentor's beautiful, sexy, and rebellious daughter Lissha - who is as comfortable carrying a gun as she is carrying a Gucci bag - forces Kiam to decide between his sizzling desire for her and his immense loyalty to big Zo.

National best-selling author Keith Lee Johnson enjoyed breakout success for his novel Little Black Girl Lost. Now Johnson introduces Nelson Kennard, a former number-one NBA draft pick who blew his chance at the big time - and is about to lose the best thing that's ever happened to him, sexy school teacher Parris Stalls. Soon-to-be-dissed Nelson may have been a playa back in the day, but there's always another baller waiting in the wings.

As the oldest of three girls, Renee at a young age knew she was born into a special family of women. These women are blessed with unique gifts from God but others may disagree. Although Renee, Leah, and Tiffany were born in Georgia, their family roots were planted in New Orleans where the Creole cuisine fills your soul, the swamps run deep with blood and voodoo is a religion to some. At the age of 13, Renee’s life is forever changed as well as her sister’s.

The audiobook is a story about two brothers, Kelvin “Kels” Johnson, Jr., and Malik “Lil Ghadi” Johnson. Each of them had eager desires to follow in their father’s legacy for success and power. They wanted to finish the goal their father, Kelvin “Ghadi” Johnson, Sr., started before his incarceration, as well as try to achieve the goal of getting out of the game without getting scarred like their father did. Kelvin “Ghadi” Johnson, Sr.’s name ran throughout the streets of the Eastson Neighborhood, but not even his name could stop what his sons were about to face.

On the run from the law, Mayhem seeks refuge in a new city. But what he soon discovers is that New Orleans' hustlers are even grimier than the dudes he left dead in Atlanta. Lines are crossed; friends turn into bitter rivals; and the only certainty in Mayhem's life is death and bloodshed, until he stumbles upon Keedy, a diamond in the hood.

Jada and Dolla were the ideal couple. Through thick and thin, Jada was a ride-or-die companion for her street hustla, Dolla. She fought everyone and everything off - foes, obstacles, and side chicks. Jada was a straight shooter and a force to be reckoned with. She loved her man, family, and crew with all of her might...and then her world came tumbling down. Being the typical man, Dolla ruined their relationship with one unprotected act. Now, Dolla is a single father of twins, and Jada is alone, after nearly 10 years of faithfully standing by Dolla’s side.