Benilde little biography of william

Novelist

At a Glance&#x;

Selected writings

Sources

Former Essence magazine staffer Benilde Little is one of a new wave of successful African American female authors whose novels are earning legions of devoted fans. Her smart, attractive, overachiever protagonists are outwardly successful, but struggle with self-doubt, invisible class barriers, and heartache. Little has been compared favorably with notable writers of American fiction such as Edith Wharton and Terry McMillan.

Little was born in and grew up in a modest, integrated neighborhood in Newark, New Jersey. Her mother had dropped out of high school, became a nurse&#x;s aide, and then served as president of the Parent-Teacher Association at her daughter&#x;s school. Little&#x;s father worked at General Motors as a materials coordinator and was active in community and civic organizations as well. Little&#x;s parents provided her with music lessons and nice clothes and strongly encouraged her to excel