Wade Hudson’s career as a writer spans more than three decades. In 1988, Hudson’s passion for writing and life-long mission to help foster positive self-image within the Black community, prompted he and his wife Cheryl to launch Just Us Books, the nation’s leading independent publisher of Black-interest books for young people. Another imprint, Marimba Books, was launched in 2008, with a focus on multicultural literature for children and young adults. An accomplished and award-winning author, he has written more than 30 books for young people including, AFRO-BETS Book of Black Heroes, Poetry from the Masters: The Pioneers and Jamal’s Busy Day, Pass It On: African-American Poetry for Children, Powerful Words: More than 200 Years of Extraordinary Writing by African Americans and the Great Black Heroes series, Its Church Going Time, Places I Love to Go, and Puddin, Jeffrey and Leah: Best Friends, the anthology, We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices and The Talk, Conversations About Race, Love & Truth, both co-edited with Cheryl Willis Hudson. A third anthology, also co-edited with Cheryl, Recognize, An Anthology Honoring and Amplifying Black Life will be released in October as well as his coming-of-age memoir, Defiant: Growing Up in the Jim Crow South. Wade speaks to students across the country and conducts workshops for teachers and parents. He can be reached at justusbook@aol.com. Web Site: www.justusbooks.com