As an extension of her creative and activist self, Yarbrough turned to writing in the 1970’s.


Her published works have appeared in The New York Times, The Black Collegian Magazine, and The Journal of African Civilization.


In 1979 her first book, Cornrows, was published by Paperstar/Putnam Grosset. Later, three more books followed: The Shimmershine Queens, The Little Tree Growing in the Shade, and Tamika and the Wisdom Rings.