Ann Allen Shockley

Hotchclaw is an HBC - Historically Black College - a survivor among the many small southern colleges that came into being after slavery to promote higher education for Black students in an era of segregation. Although struggling with financial difficulties, Hotchclaw is ready to celebrate its one hundredth anniversary. But under the surface of the jubilation and pride there are internal conflicts - professional, psychological and sexual - among the president and faculty. And, a shocking discovery about one of Hotchclaw's most admired faculty members adds more sparks to the flames that set off a maze of entanglements reaching to a predominantly white northern university. Ann Allen Shockley, with her dramatic sense and characteristic humor has crafted a vibrant novel that draws the reader to the characters, their rising tensions and the very real world she has created. Happy Anniversary Hotchclaw - it's a wild party!

Works of Afro-American women writers reflect the climate of their period in American history.

Myrtle Black was in Nashville to preach at a revival. An evangelist who gloried in her charismatic power over her devoted following, she was a born leader. And when two black prostitutes are shot by an unknown assistant, her rage for justice provokes a violent confrontation that could cost her life... but would unite women of all colors and all kinds. Travis Lee was in Nashville to cut her next hit record. For her, it was just another stop in a life of drugs and booze and the wrong kind of men. Myrtle would change all that. When they fell in love. But what price would the world make them pay for their love? Would Myrtle's following turn away from her in scorn? Would Travis' career be destroyed? Suddenly nothing was more important to them than their love. Whatevery the consequences, they had to be true to themselves and to each other. -- back cover.

Originally published in 1974, Loving Her is the first novel by an African American author to deal explicitly with interracial lesbian love. The groundbreaking story centers on Renay, a talented black musician who is forced by pregnancy to marry the abusive, alcoholic Jerome Lee. When Jerome sells Renay's piano to finance his drinking, she leaves her destructive marriage and flees with her young daughter to Terry, a wealthy white writer whom she met at a supper club. Terry awakens in Renay a love and sexual desire beyond her erotic imaginings. Despite the sexist, racist, and homophobic prejudices they must confront, the mutually supportive couple finds physical and emotional joy. When Jerome Lee discovers the nature of Renay and Terry's friendship, he beats Renay nearly to death and, in a drunken rage, kidnaps his daughter, who subsequently dies in a car accident. Grief-stricken and guilty about her love for Terry, Renay feels that God has punished her and breaks off their relationship to atone her "sins." In the end, she returns to Terry and a renewed life.

E. J. Josey and Marva DeLoach have compiled a treasure trove of information about black librarianship. This volume includes history, statistics, and documentation of contemporary issues related both to African American participation in librarianship and to the organizations that they built to provide information resources for their people. Of interest to all librarians, bibliophiles, bibliographers, and students of American culture, this handbook fills a niche in American cultural history. Like the first edition, published in 1977, this new edition chronicles the history and achievements of black librarians in their chosen profession. Chapters documenting pioneering individuals and events are juxtaposed with historical descriptions of early professional organizations. Other sections provide important information related to diversity, including the language of diversity and salient statistical facts about African American librarians. New or revised chapters treat issues related to information technology and electronic resources, library services to African Americans, and library education. Of special interest is the section on African American resources, which covers archival and fugitive literature, library holdings, literature, oral history programs, and museums, with several chapters on awards. A complete section is devoted to the important issue of health sciences libraries and blacks. Another new section covers libraries, library education, and publishing in Africa. The final section highlights the role of African Americans in selected areas of the knowledge industry.