Randi Pink

Randi Pink, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, is a highly acclaimed author, educator, and jazz vocalist with a rich and diverse background. Graduating from the esteemed HBCU, Alabama State University, she furthered her academic journey with a graduate degree from the University of Louisville and followed by the pursuit of a second graduate degree in Creative Writing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Renowned for her novels, including the critically acclaimed Angel of Greenwood and Girls Like Us, recognized as a School Library Journal Best Book of 2019, Randi's upcoming work, Under the Heron’s Light, set in the historic Great Dismal Swamps, is poised for publication in October 2024.

Beyond her literary prowess, Randi Pink has left an indelible mark on the educational landscape, adapting, and delivering hundreds of courses to educators, librarians, and students. Her presence and commitment to navigating the intersection of books and history have been showcased in her contributions to events such as the MPIBA Spring Conference, Teen Book Conference, and YallWest.

Randi's influence extends far beyond her writing and educational endeavors, as evidenced by her noteworthy appearances at events like the American Library Association Conference, Texas Library Association Conference, Metaverse Book Week Panel, and the feature on NBC News highlighting the Tulsa Race Massacre. Her impactful presence in esteemed literary festivals, conferences, and mainstream media, including panels on Speaking Truth to Power, Afro Comic Conference Inclusive History, and as an NCTE Program Panelist, underscores her status as a distinguished figure in literature and education.

Acknowledged with the prestigious Alabama Library Association Award in 2022 for "Girls Like Us," Randi Pink's multifaceted talents and unwavering commitment resonate as a testament to the transformative potential of storytelling and education, solidifying her position as a trailblazer and influencer in the cultural landscape.

Artist Statement

My voice reverberates. It echoes generations of southern Black mothers pushing through the days and weeks and months of being underestimated and overlooked in our brilliance. I’ve always known the strength and necessity of my own voice; but I couldn’t seem to push my words through my diaphragm and out of my mouth. Each word would get stuck in-transit and the louder voices in the room would shine while I slunk into a corner. Eventually, I’d get full-up with important words and the frustration of not being able to push them out, so I picked up an ink-pen instead and never put it back down. Now, I write to keep from screaming out.

My novels include Angel of Greenwood, Girls Like Us and We Are the Scribes – all traditionally published by McMillan. Most of my novels, including my upcoming fifth novel titled Under the Heron’s Light, are historical fiction. They explore lesser known, or outright hidden, historical events that have affected the Black community’s growth and trajectory. These events include the Greenwood Massacre, petit marronage in the Great Dismal Swamp, life pre-Roe v. Wade, and the life of the incomparable Harriet Jacobs, author of Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl.