DERRICK BARNES is a National Book Award Finalist for his 2022 graphic novel Victory. Stand!-Raising My Fist For Justice. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning picture book Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut which received a Newbery Honor, a Coretta Scott King Author Honor, the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award, and the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers.

In 2020, he became the only author to have won the Kirkus Prize twice for his twelfth release, the New York Times bestseller I Am Every Good Thing. The title also won a Charlotte Huck Award (NCTE), and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor.

Derrick is also the creator of the New York Times Bestselling companion picture books, The King of Kindergarten (2019) and The Queen of Kindergarten (2022).

He is a graduate of Jackson State University (BA-Marketing ’99) and was the first African-American male creative copywriter hired by greeting cards giant Hallmark Cards. Derrick is a native of Kansas City, MO, but currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his enchanting wife, Dr. Tinka Barnes, and their four sons, the Mighty Barnes Brothers.

THE INCREDIBLY HUMAN HENSON BLAYZE

In the small town of Great Mountain, Mississippi, all eyes are on Henson Blayze, a thirteen-year-old football phenom whose talents seem almost superhuman. The predominately white townsfolk have been waiting for Henson to play high school football, they’re overjoyed to finally possess an elite Black athlete of their own until a horrifying incident forces Henson to speak out about injustice and  says that he might not play football anymore. Henson quickly learns he isn’t as loved by the people as he thought.

I GOT YOU – A BROTHER’S PROMISE

I Got You: A Brother’s Promise is written by Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Shamar Knight Justice. In the book  Rasheed has the best big brother in the world! Anthony has been his hero from day one, making him feel safe during storms and included in all kinds of fun activities. And now that Rasheed is getting a little older, Anthony is teaching him how to do big-boy things. But there will be times when Anthony needs his own space and time with his buddies. At first Rasheed feels crushed not to be included full-time with his brother, but fortunately, Anthony reassures him that even when they’re not together he still loves Rasheed and nothing will ever change that. And when Momma and Daddy share the big news that soon both of them will be big brothers, Rasheed knows–thanks to Anthony–just what kind of big brother he wants to be.

SEVEN MILLION STEPS: The True Story of Dick Gregory’s Run for the Hungry

In January 2026 the much anticipated Seven Million Steps: The True Story of Dick Gregory’s Run for the Hungry will be released. Derrick with award-winning creators,  Frank Morrison, and Dr. Christian Gregory comes the true story of comedian and activist Dick Gregory’s remarkable Food Run of 1976. 1 man. 1,011 hours. 3,200 miles. 7 million steps.