Angie Thomas is the author of the young adult novels “The Hate U Give,” “On the Come Up” and “Concrete Rose” (Balzer + Bray). Her first novel, “The Hate U Give,” which explores the origins of the Black Lives Matter movement, made its way to the top of the New York Times bestseller list within a week of its release, was adapted into a major motion picture and went on to win the William C. Morris Award, the Michael L. Printz Award and the Coretta Scott King Award. Her second novel, “On the Come Up,” about defying odds and stereotypes within the rap community, was also a New York Times bestseller and is currently being adapted into a film. Prior to studying creative writing in college and becoming a novelist, Thomas was a rapper. She cites Tupac Shakur as one of her primary artistic inspirations.
Check out Angie Thomas' video, available Sept. 17.