Black Boy Joy contains selections written by 17 authors. Editor Kwame Mbalia is responsible for the collection, and he originated the idea, invited authors to contribute, and edited their contributions. He also contributed his own story, “The Griot of Grover Street,” which frames the other stories within the book in three parts. Mbalia chose authors whose work or presence inspired joy in his own heart.

Amid the Black Lives Matter movement and the unjust killings of Black people like George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, Mbalia wanted to produce a collection that would provide young Black readers with something positive. Black Boy Joy is meant to serve as an escape from the violence, anger, and grief that often plagues Black communities. Mbalia also wanted to combat toxic masculinity and negative and stereotyped representations of Black people in the media. He hoped to remind young Black readers that there is joy to be found, despite the many challenges they face.

Mbalia is the New York Times best-selling author of the Tristan Strong trilogy, a popular fantasy series that combines West African mythology, folklore, culture, and geography in a tale of bravery and family legacy. Mbalia is also the head of Freedom Fire, a middle grade publishing imprint.