Masani Alexis De Veaux (1948- ) is an American writer and illustrator, and former chair of the department of Women’s Studies at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Born on September 24, 1948, in Harlem, De Veaux received a bachelor of arts degree from the State University of New York Empire State College. She continued her education in creative writing at the University at Buffalo, where she obtained a master of arts and doctor of philosophy degrees. A voice for Black feminism and LGBTQ+ equality, De Veaux’s writings often reflect the racial and sexual experiences of Black female characters. Her work has won many literary awards and encompasses a range of social articles, poetry, fiction, and memoir.

The papers are rich in original manuscript drafts and notebooks of De Veaux’s poetry, novels, and biographies, as well as correspondence documenting her speaking engagements, publishing and her academic career. Biographies and writings include Yabo, and Warrior Poet: A Biography of Audre Lorde. De Veaux’s thesis, “This Far by Faith: A Writer’s Autobiography” (1989) and dissertation, “Concealed Weapons: Contemporary Black Women’s Short Stories as Agents for Social Change, 1960s to the Present” (undated), can be found within the collection. Additionally, her published work, Blue Heat: A Portfolio of Poems and Drawings (1985) is available.