ReShonda Tate

ReShonda Tate has the credentials and the passion to bring stories to life. That’s exactly what she has done in the 54 published books that she has written, including her latest novel, The Queen of Sugar Hill, a fascinating fictional portrait of Hattie McDaniel, one of Hollywood’s most prolific but woefully underappreciated stars, and the first Black person to win an Oscar for her role as “Mammy” in the film classic, Gone with the Wind.

A highly sought-after motivational speaker and award-winning poet, ReShonda is the recipient of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literature for her book Say Amen, Again and was also nominated for her books Mama’s Boy and The Secret She Kept. She has received a plethora of distinguished awards and honors for her journalism, fiction, and poetry-writing skills, including an induction into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame and the Texas Literary Hall of Fame. Considered one of the top African American authors in the country, her books have been featured on the Today Show and in national magazines and newspapers.

ReShonda writes adult and teen fiction, as well as nonfiction. Her novel, Let the Church Say Amen, was made into a film directed by actress Regina King, and produced by T.D. Jakes and Queen Latifah. ReShonda made her on-screen movie debut in the BET and Netflix film. Her book, The Secret She Kept, was also made into a movie and aired on TV One. ReShonda made a cameo in that movie as well. The Queen of Sugar Hill is currently in production with the Academy Award-winning producers of Rustin and Precious. ReShonda is also a screenwriter whose upcoming film Christmas in the Friendly Skies debuts this winter.

A well-respected journalist for more than three decades, ReShonda has worked as a television reporter and anchor for stations in Oklahoma City, Beaumont, and Houston. She is currently the managing editor for the Defender Network, where she also leads the Black Women’s Channel. ReShonda also works as a professional editor, ghostwriter, and literary consultant.

A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, ReShonda is a member of the Missouri City – Sugar Land Chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Jack & Jill of America. She is married to Jeffrey Caradine and is the mother of three children ages 24, 22, and 17, and two bonus children ages 25 and 24.