OK y'all this is big. Cheryl Woodruff, founder and former associate publisher of One World, Random House’s multicultural imprint, has been named president and associate publisher of SmileyBooks.

This will be an opportunity for Us to publish the kind of Black books we've all be claiming that the German conglomerates will not publish. Now I know it will not be easy and Smiley Books is not going to make everyone happy. And they certainly won’t be perfect out the gate, but we must show support over the long term. As we continue to support publishers like Just Us Books, Black Classic press and others.

Smiley books hosted a party to celebrate the venture last night. I plan to create some content on AALBC.com regarding this event and Smiley Book over the next few days.

In the meantime here are some photos.

BIBR's, Clarence Reynolds, AALBC.com's Founder, Troy Johnson and Tavis Smiley

To see all the photos visit: http://tinyurl.com/2thczj