There have been many outstanding Black women authors whose published works have paved the way for others to have a voice.
Some of the greatest and favorite films available were books before they were adapted into movies.
Producers such as Oprah Winfrey and Spike Lee were able to bring voices to these books.
Here are some fantastic Black women authors whose books were adapted into films.
Alice Walker
Alice Walker is a poet, writer, novelist, and social activist.
She overcame challenges such as segregation and childhood injuries to become a successful author.
Walker began her writing career as a poet, then transitioned to a novelist, where she wrote several books, including The Color Purple, which won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1983.
This book was adapted into an iconic film, which saw comedian Whoopi Goldberg play the protagonist and become a star in her own right.
Toni Morrison
As a novelist and poet, Toni Morrison was a force in her own right.
She published various books, such as The Bluest Eye and the critically acclaimed Song of Solomon, which won her the National Book Critics Award.
Morrison’s crowning achievement came when the book Beloved was published, which won her the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993.
She won critical acclaim for addressing the Black American experience and the harsh consequences of racism.
Her book would be adapted into a film in 1998, and starred celebrity Oprah Winfrey.
The film received numerous accolades, opening the door for other Black women actors.
It is a testament to the legacy she leaves behind.
Terry McMillan
Terry McMillan is a fantastic author who is well-known for her work on the experience of Black women in the United States.
As a driven author, she was unhappy with how her first book, Mama, was promoted.
She chose to promote her second book herself, and she sold over 5,000 copies.
Her third book, Waiting to Exhale, put her on the world map in 1992, as at the time was the second biggest paperback book deal in history.
The book sold over three million copies in three years and remained on New York’s bestseller list for months.
Eventually, the book was adapted into a film and produced by Forest Whittaker and starred Angela Bassett, Whitney Houston, and Lela Rochon.
McMillan followed up shortly with another best-selling book titled How Stella Got Her Groove Back that redefined how Black women were seen and treated in modern society and what it meant for the future.
Margot Lee Shetterly
Margot Lee Shetterly is not your typical author, as her path to literary works took an unconventional turn.
She graduated after majoring in commerce and worked in investment banking for several years.
Shetterly then shifted to the media industry and started writing. Her book, Hidden Figures, was picked up by Levantine Films and adapted for film in 2016.
It received several Oscar nominations, including Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Motion Picture.
Her book is praised for historical accuracy, direction, writing, and emotional tone.
Ramona Lofton
Ramona Lofton, better known by her pet name Sapphire, is a performance poet and author who had an unusual childhood when she dropped out of school to become a hippie.
Her first novel, Push, created so much demand that it led to a bidding war.
The novel thrust her into the limelight because it shed light on many societal issues.
The book also came with its fair share of controversy, considering Lofton never held back the graphic depiction of a young Black woman growing up in a vicious cycle of abuse and incest.
The book was adapted into a film and premiered at the Sundance Festival in 2009.
Its title was changed to Precious so as not to be confused with the action film Push.
The film led to the acting debut of Gabourey Sidibe, which resulted in her being nominated for a Golden Globe Award.
Ntozake Shange
Ntozake Shange was an American poet, playwright, and author whose work was revered for highlighting Black power and race issues.
She had a strong attachment to the Black Arts movement, which allowed her to channel her creative juices.
Her influential book, For Colored Girls, was adapted into a film in 2010 by Tyler Perry.
The film was a hit, depicting the struggles and lives of Black women.
It is worth noting that the film preceded a playwright adaptation of the same book, which activists consider a rallying call to the plight of women of color.
These Black Women Authors’ Works Have Inspired Many
These Black women authors exude artistic flair and finesse, for which they have set industry standards.
As the year progresses, let’s hope for more content from such brilliant Black women authors.
