Lawrence Ross
Encyclopedia
Lawrence Ross is an author of historical texts and fiction . He was born in Los Angeles
, California
and attended Loyola High School
and then University of California, Berkeley
and UCLA
, where he earned a degree in History. Ross worked as a reporter, for the Los Angeles Independent Newspaper and was appointed managing editor of Rap Sheet magazine, hip hop's first West Coast magazine in 1997.
In 1997, Ross, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha
fraternity, began writing The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities. The Divine Nine was the first book written that covered the members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council
(NPHC). The book has appeared on the bestseller
lists of the Los Angeles Times
, Essence
and Blackboard magazine. As a result of Ross' Divine Nine, he toured the campus lecture circuit. In the past ten years, Ross has lectured at over 300 colleges and universities, on the topics of the NPHC and hazing
and how black fraternity
and sorority members can fulfill their promise.
He's also written commentaries for The Root.com, The Grio.com and CNN.com about African American fraternal life and education.,
In 2001, Ross' second book, The Ways of Black Folks: A Year in the Life of a People, was published. In it, Ross chronicles the stories of black people from throughout the African diaspora
. It was selected as a "Fall Must Read", by the National Association of Black Journalists
.
Ross' third book and fiction debut, Friends With Benefits, was chosen as a main selection, by Doubleday's Black Expressions Book Club.
In October 2007, his fourth book, Skin Game, was published by Kensington Books
. In September 2007, his fifth book, Money Shot: The Wild Nights and Lonely Days in Black Porn, was published by Thunder's Mouth. Money Shot was the first book written about the black adult industry.
Ross has appeared as a guest on television shows, such as National Public Radio and Good Morning Atlanta. He has been interviewed in Ebony
, Savoy, Essence
and Newsweek
magazines, the Los Angeles Times
, Africana.com and The Times
. Ross is also an editorial cartoonist, and his VOX AFRICANUS is a regular feature on The Root.com
Ross has a Master of Fine Arts
(MFA) degree from the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, in screenwriting
. In September 2011, his third novel, "Zelmo Goes To College," will be published.
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and attended Loyola High School
Loyola High School (Los Angeles)
Loyola High School of Los Angeles is a Jesuit preparatory school for young men. It is the oldest high school in Southern California, and one of the oldest in California...
and then University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
and UCLA
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
, where he earned a degree in History. Ross worked as a reporter, for the Los Angeles Independent Newspaper and was appointed managing editor of Rap Sheet magazine, hip hop's first West Coast magazine in 1997.
In 1997, Ross, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha is the first Inter-Collegiate Black Greek Letter fraternity. It was founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Its founders are known as the "Seven Jewels". Alpha Phi Alpha developed a model that was used by the many Black Greek Letter Organizations ...
fraternity, began writing The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities. The Divine Nine was the first book written that covered the members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council
National Pan-Hellenic Council
The National Pan-Hellenic Council is a collaborative organization of nine historically African American, international Greek lettered fraternities and sororities. The nine NPHC organizations are sometimes collectively referred to as the "Divine Nine"...
(NPHC). The book has appeared on the bestseller
Bestseller
A bestseller is a book that is identified as extremely popular by its inclusion on lists of currently top selling titles that are based on publishing industry and book trade figures and published by newspapers, magazines, or bookstore chains. Some lists are broken down into classifications and...
lists of the Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
, Essence
Essence (magazine)
Essence is a monthly magazine for African-American women between the ages of 18 and 49. The magazine covers fashion, lifestyle and beauty with an intimate girlfriend-to-girlfriend tone.-History:...
and Blackboard magazine. As a result of Ross' Divine Nine, he toured the campus lecture circuit. In the past ten years, Ross has lectured at over 300 colleges and universities, on the topics of the NPHC and hazing
Hazing
Hazing is a term used to describe various ritual and other activities involving harassment, abuse or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into a group....
and how black fraternity
Fraternity
A fraternity is a brotherhood, though the term usually connotes a distinct or formal organization. An organization referred to as a fraternity may be a:*Secret society*Chivalric order*Benefit society*Friendly society*Social club*Trade union...
and sorority members can fulfill their promise.
He's also written commentaries for The Root.com, The Grio.com and CNN.com about African American fraternal life and education.,
In 2001, Ross' second book, The Ways of Black Folks: A Year in the Life of a People, was published. In it, Ross chronicles the stories of black people from throughout the African diaspora
African diaspora
The African diaspora was the movement of Africans and their descendants to places throughout the world—predominantly to the Americas also to Europe, the Middle East and other places around the globe...
. It was selected as a "Fall Must Read", by the National Association of Black Journalists
National Association of Black Journalists
The National Association of Black Journalists is an organization of African American journalists, students, and media professionals. Founded in 1975 in Washington, D.C...
.
Ross' third book and fiction debut, Friends With Benefits, was chosen as a main selection, by Doubleday's Black Expressions Book Club.
In October 2007, his fourth book, Skin Game, was published by Kensington Books
Kensington Books
Kensington Publishing Corp. is an American book publisher.- Overview :Kensington was founded in 1974 by Walter Zacharius, formerly of Lancer Books. Steven Zacharius became president and CEO in 2005. Vice president Michael Rosamilia has been the CFO since 1989. Laurie Parkin is the vice president...
. In September 2007, his fifth book, Money Shot: The Wild Nights and Lonely Days in Black Porn, was published by Thunder's Mouth. Money Shot was the first book written about the black adult industry.
Ross has appeared as a guest on television shows, such as National Public Radio and Good Morning Atlanta. He has been interviewed in Ebony
Ebony (magazine)
Ebony, a monthly magazine for the African-American market, was founded by John H. Johnson and has published continuously since the autumn of 1945...
, Savoy, Essence
Essence (magazine)
Essence is a monthly magazine for African-American women between the ages of 18 and 49. The magazine covers fashion, lifestyle and beauty with an intimate girlfriend-to-girlfriend tone.-History:...
and Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
magazines, the Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
, Africana.com and The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
. Ross is also an editorial cartoonist, and his VOX AFRICANUS is a regular feature on The Root.com
Ross has a Master of Fine Arts
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
(MFA) degree from the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, in screenwriting
Screenwriting
Screenwriting is the art and craft of writing scripts for mass media such as feature films, television productions or video games. It is a freelance profession....
. In September 2011, his third novel, "Zelmo Goes To College," will be published.