Ali Biko Sulaiman Kamanda is an award-winning filmmaker and social entrepreneur from Sierra Leone, West Africa. He runs BIKO Studios, a cross-cultural film production company and is the President of Salone Rising, a not-for-profit organization that provides micro-financing and mentoring resources to small business owners in rural Sierra Leone.
Ali met co-author Jorge Redmond in college. Their debut book, Black Boy, Black Boy, is their first collaboration as authors. It was written to inspire Black boys to imagine all the great things they can do while celebrating remarkable moments from Black history. From athlete and activist Colin Kaepernick to musician Sam Cooke, inventor Elijah McCoy and writer Chinua Achebe, there are so many inspirational men in Black history. This lyrical, rhythmic text encourages boys to imagine everything they can be and the great things they can do, drawing on the strength of people throughout history that paved the way for Black boys today.
Black Boy, Black Boy tells today’s boys: you have the courage, you are the light. It’s a new day! Be inspired and motivated by drawing on the history of the role models that came before you.
Their newest book Black Girl, Black Girl (October 2024), is an inspiring picture book about self-esteem for black girls, drawing on the history of role models who came before them.
“This ode to Black boy joy abounds in positive representation of Black men and serves as a beautiful reminder of a glorious lineage. An affirming, nurturing, and powerful celebration of Black men, past, present, and future” — Kirkus Reviews
