National Geographic Kids Encyclopedia of African American History and Culture

National Geographic Kids inspires young adventurers to explore the world through award-winning magazines, books, apps, games, toys, videos, events, and a website, and is the only kids brand with a world-class scientific organization at its core. This book is created by National Geographic contributors, including researchers, photographers, content experts, and educational specialists.

Kaitlyn Wells is an award-winning journalist whose work has been featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post, among others. She’s the author of the picture books Under the Clam Moon (2026) and A Family Looks Like Love (2022), which received the Outstanding Book Award from the National Association of Black Journalists, and made the Children's Book Council summer best books list.

Priyanka Lamichhane spent 15 years with National Geographic Kids, where she led the reference publishing program. From encyclopedias to guidebooks and atlases to fact books, she has contributed to hundreds of engaging titles on many topics. She’s currently creating exciting books about the world for Lonely Planet Kids. 

Melissa H. Mwai is a children’s author and illustrator. Melissa has written five nonfiction books, including Harlem Renaissance, Stacey Abrams, and I Can Make a Friend. To give back to the children’s writing community, Melissa co-hosts the KidLit Deconstruction Zone Podcast.

Michael Cottman, an award-winning journalist, is Assistant to the Dean for Special Projects and Programs at Morgan State University’s School of Global Journalism and Communication. He has authored and co-authored 12 books about the African American experience, including The Wreck of the Henrietta Marie and Segregated Skies.

Expert Consultants include Dr. Cynthia Jacobs Carter, senior advancement specialist at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC); Mary Elliott, museum specialist at NMAAHC; Dr. Spencer R. Crew, the Clarence J. Robinson Professor of U.S. History at George Mason University and director emeritus of both the NMAAHC and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History; Dr. LaNitra M. Berger, associate professor of history and art history and the director of African and African American Studies at George Mason University; Kelly Elaine Navies, NMAAHC specialist in oral history; Kenrya Rankin, award-winning author and editorial consultant; and Dr. Mario Beatty, associate professor in the Department of Afro-American Studies at Howard University.