Meet Michelle Coles, Author of Black Was the Ink

MD Libraries Together and Calvert Library are excited to present Michelle Coles to help celebrate Black History Month 2025.

Join us for a compelling author talk with Michelle Coles, the talented writer behind the acclaimed novel Black Was the Ink. In this engaging event, Coles will share insights into her powerful debut novel, a thought-provoking coming-of-age story that explores themes of race, identity, and the complexities of American history. Michelle Coles is a debut novelist, experienced civil rights attorney, and mother of five. She strives to write interesting stories about Black history to help readers see the connections between the present and the past. 

This event will be live-streamed on Calvert Library's YouTube channel. 

Black Was the Ink is about 16 year old Malcolm Williams, who hasn’t been okay for a while. He’s angry and despondent and feels like nothing good ever happens for teens like him in D.C. All he wants is to be left alone in his room for the summer to draw or play video games–but no such luck. With growing violence in his neighborhood, his mother ships him off to his father’s family farm in Mississippi, and Malcolm is anything but pleased. A few days after his arrival, his great-aunt tells him that the State is acquiring the farm to widen a highway. It’s not news Malcolm is concerned about, but someone plans to make it his concern. One minute Malcolm is drawing in the farmhouse attic, and the next he’s looking through the eyes of his ancestor Cedric Johnson in 1866. As Cedric, Malcolm meets the real-life Black statesmen who fought for change during the Reconstruction era: Hiram Revels, Robert Smalls, and other leaders who made American history. But even after witnessing their bravery, Malcolm’s faith in his own future remains shaky, particularly since he knows that the gains these statesmen made were almost immediately stripped away. If those great men couldn’t completely succeed, why should he try? Malcolm must decide which path to take. Can Cedric’s experiences help him construct a better future? Or will he resign himself to resentments and defeat?

If you re interested in attending the in person event at the Prince Frederick branch of Calvert Library please click here to register. Books will be available for sale and signing at the in-person event.

Click here to view the live stream on Calvert Library's YouTube channel. 

Place Black Was the Ink on hold.

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