from the editor-in-chief

Last year in one of our inaugural issues, we decided to defy the myth that black men don't read. Starting with avid reader and talk show host Tavis Smiley on our cover, and throughout the pages of BIBR, we showed the depth of interest in books and the wide range of tastes in reading of African American men. The response was overwhelmingly positive. The issue created lots of "Finally!" sighs in the black book lovers community and even a "buzz" in the publishing industry.

The generous feedback has prompted us to explore the subject even more deeply. Black men do read fiction and are reading it more and more as writers like Guy Johnson, Ellis Cose, Nelson George, Omar Tyree, Walter Mosley and so many others produce novels that speak to us. But serious, issue-oriented nonfiction remains our genre of choice. And understandably so, as our struggle for social and economic justice continues. So, we've featured noted nonfiction author Michael Eric Dyson, whose book I May Not Get There With You reexamines our most important social figure; and we asked one of the nation's most brilliant essayists on contemporary issues, Ralph Wiley, to give us his "stream of consciousness" thoughts on black male nonfiction writers. The result is true Wiley wit--"Brothers on a Soapbox"--which gives both props and context to some of our best writing minds.

And because so many of our best minds are still in development, we are proud to share a touching essay about how a parent helped her son fall in love with reading. If you've heard, "I don't like to read," from a boychild in your life, Rosemarie Robotham's essay will inspire and instruct.

It's summer, and in black America these days that means gatherings and lots of movies. BIBR takes you behind the scenes on both. Contributing editor Angela Dodson reports on how black books are part of many expos, conventions, and other large convocations. Lateefah Fleming, whose experience with HBO New York and with marketing for Wesley Snipes' online company makes her the perfect insider to report on how our favorite books get to film, ably demystifies the book-to-screen process. Of course, no issue of BIBR is complete without some insight into the publishing industry; this time our lens is on literary agents.

We trust the 38 reviews of fiction and nonfiction by black authors, reviewed by black readers, will be your most trusted guide to this summer's reading.

WILLIAM E COX President/Editor-in-Chief

COPYRIGHT 2000 Cox, Matthews & Associates
COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group