Valerie Wilson Wesley(born November 22, 1947) is an African-American author of mysteries, adult-themed novels, and children&#x27;s books,  and a former executive editor of Essence magazine. She is the author of the Tamara Hayle mystery series.  She graduated from Howard University and earned masters degrees from the Bank Street College of Education and the Columbia Graduate School of Jouralism. She is married to playwright Richard Wesley.