Africana Studies

African American Life Series

The African American Life Series publishes scholarship and creative works representative of the historical, social, cultural, and economic experiences of African Americans. Because Wayne State University Press is located in Detroit, the series has a particular interest in topics related to urban life and culture.

Race and Remembrance: A Memoir

Arthur L. Johnson

A memoir of an important figure in Detroit civil rights history, Arthur L. Johnson.

Dear Chester, Dear John
Letters between Chester Himes and John A. Williams

Compiled and Edited by John A. Williams and Lori Williams

A revealing collection of correspondence between Chester Himes and John A. Williams, two prominent twentieth-century African American novelists.

When the Church Becomes Your Party: Contemporary Gospel Music When the Church Becomes Your Party:
Contemporary Gospel Music

Deborah Smith Pollard

A look at the innovations of contemporary performers of modern gospel music and their roots in the African American Christian church

Young: Your Average NiggaYour Average Nigga: Performing Race, Literacy, and Masculinity

Vershawn Ashanti Young

An engrossing autobiographical exploration of black masculinity as a mode of racial and verbal performance.

Madgett: Pilgrim JourneyPilgrim Journey

Naomi Long Madgett

The intimate and detailed autobiography of Naomi Long Madgett, award-winning poet and poet laureate of Detroit.

Jacques: Just for a ThrillJust for a Thrill: Poems

Geoffrey Jacques

A breakthrough collection of poetry from a distinctive new urban voice.