Invisible Ink: A Brief History of Black Ghostwriters in Books and Speeches

I’ve shared before that I didn’t even know what ghostwriting was until after I became one. But what I can trace throughout my life are threads of Black writers and storytellers weaving humanity and justice together. I knew and understood the power of our griots and scribes. I could feel the potency of our stories and orators through pages and screens. Their words grabbed me from stages and squeezed my heart across the airwaves. I wanted to be a part of creating those experiences for others. And here I am collaborating on the stories of so many that have come before me whose legacies will live long after our bodies return to dust. But how did I get here? For Black people our words are creation. For centuries, we’ve used them to ignite movements, capture legacies and cement ideas.  Behind many of the moments and memories—books, speeches, memoirs—that we uphold have been crafted in invisible ink by Black ghostwriters. Our words and stories have shaped the world as we know it. Yet, so many of us remain in the shadows, rarely acknowledged. It’s prompted me to look at some of the hidden hands that have been here all along. And I figured you’d be intrigued too.

Oral Traditions and Early Contributions

African and African-American oral traditions have been a powerful vehicle for preserving history and documenting wisdom since long before ghostwriting became a profession. Being a griot - storyteller or record-keeper- was a sacred role embedded in our communities. When the enslaved were brought to America they maintained the sacred storytelling traditions. Though illegal to read and write, the enslaved still passed down sermons, messages and narratives. They ensured that our history would not be erased. We celebrate the literary work of Sojourner Truth, yet according to many accounts, she never learned to read or write. The work recognized as her autobiography was dictated to a writer! (Note: Olive Gilbert, Truth’s writer, was a white abolitionist.) Since then collaboration has continued to be a thread in the preservation of our narratives.

The Civil Rights Movement

I am personally fascinated by the Civil Rights Movement because of how the written and spoken word inspired such radical change for Blacks in America. For many of us, our first (and lasting) introduction into the Movement is through Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech. Some of us can quote portions of it etched in our memories from early school days. However, not as many people know that Clarence B. Jones played a significant role in the initial draft of that historic speech and many other works by Dr. King. Jones was a strategic communications advisor offering editorial support throughout Dr. King’s leadership tenure.

Another ghostwriter of the Movement was Alex Haley. He documented the experiences of many Black Americans during the time. His Playboy magazine interview with Miles Davis would open the door for him to interview other prominent figures including Sammy Davis jr., Quincy Jones, and Malcolm X. The “Playboy Interviews” would lead to Haley collaborating on the international bestseller, The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley (1965). The end of the work features an in depth look at Haley’s process for crafting the work.

Post-Civil Rights

Collaboration would remain a key component in the documentation of our stories post Civil Rights. For example, Muhammad Ali would tap Richard Durham to help him create The Greatest: My Own Story (1975). While Haley’s work with Malcolm X would span two years, Ali’s autobiography with Durham took six. Talk about dedication! In 2003 Ali would collaborate with his daughter Hana on The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on Life’s Journey. 

The Modern Era

For centuries Black ghostwriters have been helping leaders refine their messages while maintaining authenticity.  We can see the infusion of narratives with cultural representation and historical accuracy with the rise of public figures taking center stage with their books and speeches. Today, Black ghostwriters are stepping out of the shadows and into the light. We are carving out spaces for ourselves in traditional publishing and continuing our contributions to independent publishing, politics and media. We are supporting works for artists, athletes, CEOs, pastors, and public figures alike. 

I’m elated to join a new era of Black ghostwriters, Black women at that! We really are out here shaping bestsellers. And the number of Black-owned ghostwriting and self-publishing businesses helping Black people reclaim authorship continues to grow. Black ghostwriters have been and will continue to be essential in shaping history, literature and cultural narratives.. Black ghostwriters have long been the invisible ink behind some of the most powerful words in history. Our words have freed minds, emboldened movements and shaped entire generations.   Our existence deserves recognition and celebration, not just during Black History Month, but always. Our storytellers have been present since the beginning of America’s history

In the current climate, it is important that we continue to uplift the efforts of hidden word architects. We are daring to tell stories, not just in whispers, but in bold, unerasable strokes across the pages of history. The next time you hear a speech or read a work that stirs your soul, consider the invisible ink that may have been at work between the lines. And I can tell you, the best, most compelling and empathetic ones were NOT crafted by AI!