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Great Black Autobiographies You Must Add to Your Reading List [UPDATED]

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Check out these powerful autobiographies that tell the true stories behind some of our most influential Black Americans.

Behind every great person, there’s usually an inspiring life story. And if we’re lucky, they’ll share it with us in the form of an autobiography. From entertainment to politics, some of history’s most influential Black Americans have put pen to paper to tell their story. And from the highest highs to the lowest lows, we can help but root for them along the way. If you’re looking for a little inspiration this Black History Month, these autobiographies are essential reading.

“Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah

Before he was an award-winning comedian and talk show host who rubs elbows with the hottest acts in music, he was the son of a Black mother and a white father who hid him away to save his life. “Born a Crime” is Noah’s hilarious but poignant account of his journey from apartheid in South Africa to The Daily Show.

“Negroland: A Memoir” by Margo Jefferson

“Negroland” is Margo Jefferson’s bestselling account of her life growing up in a unique world of upper middle class Blacks in Chicago during the 1950s and 60s. She writes brilliantly about the how her elite social circle navigated the conflict between their status and the overall well being of people of color during the Civil Rights Movement.

“The Other Wes More: One Name, Two Fates” by Wes More

“The Other Wes Moore” tells the story of two men with the same name who had completely different outcomes. One became a convicted murder, while the other went on to become the first Black governor of Maryland. The book is so good, it’s in development to become a feature film executive produced by Stephen Curry.

“Heavy: An American Memoir” by Kiese Laymon

“Heavy” is a beautifully written, deeply personal story of author Kiese Laymon’s experience growing up Black in Jackson, Mississippi. From his complicated relationship with his mother to his ongoing struggles with weight and abuse, Laymon lets readers into the most intimate part of his soul. This is one moving memoir that is almost impossible to put down.

“Just As I Am” by Cicely Tyson

In “Just As I Am,” Cicely Tyson shares her inspiring life story, from her early life to her work as a model and actress, to her tumultuous relationship with jazz great Miles Davis. With a career that spans nearly 60 years, the iconic star of stage and screen has plenty of stories to tell.

“The Beautiful Ones” by Prince

There’s no question that Prince’s untimely death in 2016 left a huge void. Lucky for us, we have his amazing body of work and his memoir, “The Beautiful Ones.” His story is told in four parts and takes readers from his childhood to becoming one of the most influential artists of our time. The never before seen photos and lyric sheets make this one a must-have for your collection.

“I’ll Never Write My Memoirs” by Grace Jones

If you don’t already know how fierce Grace Jones is, you have to check out her New York Times bestseller, “I’ll Never Write My Memoirs.” The iconic actress, singer and model writes about running from her religious upbringing in Jamaica to become a fixture on the Studio 54 scene. And even after disco died its tragic death, Jones managed to stay relevant and inspire a whole new generation of entertainers including Meshell Ndegeocello and Lady Gaga.

“Assata: An Autobiography” by Assata Shakur

“Assata” is the autobiography of political activist Assata Shakur. In the foreword Angela Davis describes Shakur as a “compassionate human being with an unswerving commitment to justice.” But to the FBI, she was considered a domestic terrorist who made history by becoming the first woman to make their most-wanted list. In this powerful story, Shakur, who has been living in exile in Cuba since 1984, writes about the journey that led her to become a key figure in the Black Liberation Army.

“The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.” Edited by Clayborne Carson

With “The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.,” Clayborne Carson has curated a first-person account of Dr. King’s life, from his birth in Atlanta in 1929 to becoming one of the most important figures in the Civil Rights Movement. Through a collection of personal writings, unpublished interviews and speeches, readers get a closer look at the man behind the nonviolent movement towards racial equality.

“Black Boy” by Richard Wright”

“Black Boy” is the inspiring story of author Richard Wright’s upbringing in the Jim Crow South. He writes beautifully about how his experiences eventually led him to relocate to Chicago and begin a career as a writer.

“Hunger” by Roxanne Gay

“Hunger” is bestselling author Roxanne Gay’s story of her ongoing struggles with weight and body image after being the victim of sexual assault at age 12. She also explores our culture’s obsession with being thin and the ways in which we view “fat as an enemy that must be destroyed.”

“Becoming” by Michelle Obama

“Becoming” is the bestselling memoir from former First Lady Michelle Obama. In the book, she writes about her journey from her middle class upbringing on Chicago’s South Side to taking her place in history as the country’s first Black First Lady. The stories of her courtship with President Barack Obama are priceless.

“Walking With the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement” by John Lewis

“Walking With the Wind” is the remarkable life story of late congressman and activist John Lewis. The son of a sharecropper in Alabama, Lewis writes about what led him to join in the fight for civil rights, and the struggles he encountered along the way, including suffering a fractured skull while marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday.

“Up From Slavery” by Booker T. Washington

“Up From Slavery” is Booker T. Washington’s account of his life from being born into slavery to being tapped to head Tuskegee Institute in 1881. He writes about his life-long commitment to education and how he believed it would eventually lead to racial equality.

“I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou

Originally published in 1969, “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” is the first in a series of autobiographies by author Maya Angelou. The book is her personal account of her early years, including her painful experiences with racism and sexual abuse as a young girl.

“Notes of a Native Son” by James Baldwin

“Notes of a Native Son” is a series of essays written by James Baldwin that include his reflections on race in the United States and Europe.

“Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl” by Harriet Jacobs

Originally published in 1861, “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl” was written by Harriet Jacobs, a fugitive slave under the pseudonym Linda Brent after she eventually escaped to freedom in the North. Sharing her experience with sexual abuse and the challenges of protecting her children, this book is a rare firsthand about the true horrors of slavery.

Angela Davis: An Autobiography by Angela Y. Davis

First published and edited by Toni Morrison in 1974, “ An Autobiography ” is Angela Davis’ powerful story of her early years in struggle. From her childhood in Birmingham, Alabama to her work with the Black Panther Party, her role on the faculty of USA’s Philosophy Department to finding a place on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, readers get to know one of the most important political activists of our time.

10 autobiographies by Black authors to add to your reading list

The recent nationwide protests in the wake of several incidents of police brutality have caused a shift in the country. People are becoming more aware of the intense racism Black people deal with every day. Others are making it a point to support Black lives on the ground, on social media and with their coin.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the publishing industry, where Black authors have had their books top the New York Times Best Seller list since the protests began. Many of these books are ones that tackle racism, such as So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo. Others are memoirs that unveil the writer’s lived experience and address not only racism but the intersectionality of having multiple marginalized identities. Below is a list of 10 autobiographies written by Black authors.

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I’m still here: black dignity in a world made for whiteness by austin channing brown.

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Austin Channing Brown ’s  memoir about growing up in a predominantly white suburb and learning to love her Blackness is a poignant look at how America often falls short in its efforts to achieve equality. She recounts how her parents named her Austin to help her navigate the world easier, due to the fact that nonwhite-sounding names often affect people from even being considered for a job. Brown also addresses the influence that “white, middle-class, Evangelicalism” has had on racism in America. Readers will enjoy learning about Brown’s life and come away feeling empowered. 

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBqSFaNJ5tM/

All Boys Aren’t Blue is a memoir by journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson . In it, Johnson delves into his life experiences as a queer Black man, from being bullied at the age of 5 to his first relationships to spending time with this family. The book explores many important themes beyond the toxicity of racism—Johnson also addresses consent, gender identity, marginalization and Black joy. His frank and thought-provoking look at his lived experiences and the world around him make this book an engrossing read.

Hunger: A Memoir Of (My) Body by Roxane Gay

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Prominent LGBTQIA+ author and journalist Roxane Gay recounts her experience with her weight and society’s obsession with women’s external appearance in Hunger . Gay describes her body as “wildly undisciplined”—in the book, she explains the constant dichotomy between “self-comfort and self-care.” She explores her past and the traumatic event that shaped her adulthood and how she “ate in the hopes that if [she] made [herself] big, [her] body would be safe.” Gay’s memoir will make readers reexamine their relationship with their self-image and how they operate in the world around them. 

Read more: 10 Essential LGBTQ+ Books To Add To Your Collection

How we fight for our lives by saeed jones.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvX5-hYHCWW/

Award-winning author Saeed Jones ’ memoir is a coming-of-age tale about his experience growing up Black and queer in the South. Jones addresses the fight that one must have to truly become oneself and how each relationship shapes who we ultimately become. “People don’t just happen. We sacrifice former versions of ourselves. We sacrifice the people who dared to raise us. The ‘I’ it seems doesn’t exist until we are able to say, ‘I am no longer yours,’” Jones writes. How We Fight For Our Lives is a moving look at the intersectionality of race, gender and sexuality, detailing how each plays into one’s own personhood. 

Redefining Realness: My Path To Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More by Janet Mock

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Writer, producer and transgender rights activist Janet Mock offers an unflinching look at her life growing up poor, trans and multiracial. In Redefining Realness , Mock begins the book with her “coming out story” and dives into the transphobia she experienced and struggled to unlearn. “I struggled for years with what my perception of trans womanhood was, having internalized our cultures skewed, biased views and pervasive misconceptions about trans women,” she writes. Mock’s memoir is a truly inspirational take of a woman fighting to find herself and live the life she wants.

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Zami: a new spelling of my name by audre lorde.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CByTXOWjjjK/

Poet and writer Audre Lorde had a prolific effect on both Black writers and culture. In Zami , Lorde is frank in recounting her life story, from her childhood to coming of age in the 1950s. Lorde infuses her writing with the same emotion as her poems. She describes in beautiful detail the women in her life and how they shaped the woman she would become, both as a writer and an outspoken activist. 

No Ashes In The Fire by Darnell L. Moore

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No Ashes In The Fire is a heart-wrenching tale about Darnell L. Moore ’s life and a traumatic incident in his childhood. At 14 years old, Moore was nearly set on fire by a group of neighborhood boys who were harassing him because they thought he was gay. The book not only recounts this incident but Moore’s journey to finding himself and becoming a Black Lives Matter activist and writer. He also writes about his support system, his family and friends and even his hometown of Camden, New Jersey. 

I Can’t Date Jesus: Love, Sex, Family, Race, And Other Reasons I’ve Put My Faith In Beyoncé by Michael Arceneaux

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Michael Arceneaux focuses on the intersectionality of being Black and queer in America in this witty and honest memoir. Broken up into essays, he talks about his relationships with his parents—how his father questioned him about being “funny,” how he came out to his mother and the challenges he faced along the way to becoming a writer. This book is equal parts humor and heartache, and readers looking for a reminder of how important it is to be oneself and be outspoken in this day and age will find something to enjoy. 

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Wow, no thank you by samantha irby.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Yelw7AY0r/

Samantha Irby ’s hilarious collection of essays is the follow-up to her 2017 bestseller, We Are Never Meeting In Real Life . In Wow, No Thank You , Irby brings her unique brand of wit and wisdom to the page as she talks about her life experiences, from buying too many face masks to being “mommed” at a bar to making mason jar salads. Throughout it all, Irby maintains her inimitable sense of humor while talking about those relatable, embarrassing and wonderful moments in life. 

I’m Telling The Truth, But I’m Lying by Bassey Ikpi

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6_gaM5Fth_/

Bassey Ikpi ’s essay collection focuses on her childhood in Nigeria to moving to Oklahoma to her mental breakdown in her 20s. Ikpi was hospitalized and eventually diagnosed with bipolar II disorder. Now she uses her platform to explore the effect that mental health stigmas can have on a person getting treatment and coming to terms with their diagnosis. I’m Telling The Truth, But I’m Lying is a brutally honest memoir fit for anyone struggling to acknowledge their truth. 

Which books are on your reading list? Let us know in the comments below. 

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17 Memoirs And Biographies Every Black Woman Should Read At Least Once

Black history is full of inspiring women who have created paths of their own while carving a space for the women who will follow. 

In celebration of Women’s History Month and to give every woman out there a little inspiration to pursue their dreams and goals, we’ve rounded up a list of memoirs and biographies to encourage you to create a path of your own.

This award-winning biography sheds light on the life of civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, who served as vice-chair for the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and was instrumental in creating Mississippi’s Freedom Summer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. The biography closely examines Hamer’s history and the risks she took in her quest for equality.

Including a collection of photos and tributes to Lorde after her death, The Cancer Journals is Lorde’s account of coping with breast cancer and a mastectomy. It’s an intense reflection of every feeling Lorde encounters as she battles the illness. Blending politics with her experience, the memoir is essential reading, not just for survivors or those coping with cancer, but every person interested in the politics surrounding a woman’s body. 

Known as one of the most influential women in civil rights, Ella Baker is famous for her work with the NAACP and advocating for grassroots organizing. While Baker avoided the spotlight, her work thrust her into it. Ransby’s biography of the civil rights legend thoroughly examines Baker’s life and political career. 

With HBO’s adaptation starring Oprah Winfrey on its way, now’s the time to dive into The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks . Lacks, who was diagnosed with cancer and died at the age of 31, was the progenitor of the HeLa cell line, which has aided the medical community in a number of breakthroughs. The book tells Lack’s story while exploring the disturbing history of experimentation on African Americans.  

Adapted from her TEDx Talk , Adichie shines a light on feminism that’s inclusive, tackling ideas and behaviour that marginalize women. Adichie draws on her own experience as a Nigerian woman and from her observations abroad. It’s a witty, nuanced look at what feminism could be.  

Shakur’s autobiography is an account of the legendary Black Panther’s activism, blending her political and personal life to give readers a clear picture of who she is. Shakur creates a poignant image of life as a Black woman and activist as well as the rise and fall of political organizations. 

One of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Wells was an inspiring woman who was active in pursuing women’s rights and civil rights. A Sword Among Lions examines Wells’ life as a black woman and activist who not only had to face-off against conservatives, but even those who worked alongside her.

Part memoir, part inspirational self-help guide, Year of Yes is Rhimes’ reflection on saying yes to new things and experiences. Who better to take a little advice from than TV’s number one showrunner?

Known as America’s first female African-American millionaire, Madam C.J. Walker created the blueprint for Black women who aspire to run their own businesses and companies. Detailing her rise from the daughter of slaves to millionaire, On Her Own Ground is an inspirational must-read.

A much needed voice in the world, Mock’s Redefining Realness delves into the issues trans youth face by looking at Mock’s own path and way of navigating the world. Through the obstacles and triumphs, the writer and activist’s memoir is a powerful look at identity and what it means to be truly and unapologetically authentic.

A vivid autobiography that’s bold and warm, Davis reflects on her life, activism, and the moments and people who influenced her. It’s a roller coaster of events and poignant moments and even those familiar with Davis will probably learn something new. 

A radical activist and a dynamic leader of the feminist and Black Power movement, Florynce Kennedy, known to many as Flo, was a force to be reckoned with. Regularly photographed sporting a cowboy hat with her middle finger in the air, Flo was a staunch believer in intersectionality and a woman’s right to do as she pleases with her body. Her biography is not only an account of her life, but of how black feminism shaped political movements during the Black Power era. 

Writer and LGBT rights advocate, Chin’s memoir explores race and sexuality through poignant memories, triumphs, and defeats. Through it all, she discovers her identity and voice, telling her story with warmth and courage.

Chicago-native Margo Jefferson’s memoir tells the story of race, culture, and America through Jefferson’s scope as the daughter of an upper-crust Black family. From the civil rights movement to the belief in a postracial America, Negroland  is an examination and reckoning with the movements of the time and Jefferson’s place in society. 

An iconic figure in pop culture, Jones has a myriad of stories and experiences to share, which make for a riveting memoir . From her strict upbringing in Jamiaica to her rise in New York, the singer and artist shares initimate details of her life with humor and candor. 

From Insecure creator Issa Rae, Awkward Black Girl is a reflection of her own quirks and cringe-worthy moments. Hilarious, poignant, and engaing, Rae’s memoir is a must-read.

Poet, writer, and activist, Lorde was a force to be reckoned with and in this biography Veaux examines the icon’s early conservative upbringing, her marriage and later career as an outspoken lesbian, and the work that led to her becoming one of the greatest voices in Black history.

20 Must-Read Black American Memoirs for a More Inclusive TBR

Black History Month is the perfect time to read more about black Americans. Here is our list of some must-read black American memoirs that fit the bill.

Katisha Smith

Katisha is a former military brat who studied engineering because she couldn’t hack it as a writer. You can find her on the internets talking books, movies, pop culture, beauty or whatever is floating her boat at the moment.

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Although I hope bibliophiles keep books by black writers on their bookshelves and TBRs, Black History Month is always the perfect time to read a book or three written by a black person. During February, we are often inundated with the same facts about Harriet Tubman freeing slaves, Rosa Parks taking a seat, and Martin Luther King Jr. having a dream. However, this is a myopic view of black history. Although slavery and the Civil Rights Movement are important events that heavily influence the black American experience, black history is not just the past. It is the present in which we live and the future we strive to create. The best way to better understand the experience of being black in America is to listen to black people when we share our stories. Below is a list of 20 memoirs that tell what it means to be black in America. These black American memoirs provide personal stories, political and social commentary, and historical context because black history is American history.

12 Years a Slave  by Solomon Northup

Solomon Northup was a free man born and raised in New York living the American dream with a house, a wife, and two children until he his drugged, kidnapped, and sold into slavery. 12 Years a Slave is Northup’s account of the years he spent in the deep south before he was able to reach his friends and family. Despite the memoir’s commercial success, Northup earned little and his ultimate fate is still a mystery. The last mention of him was in a Canadian newspaper in 1857, and it is suspected that money woes forced Northup to become a vagabond.

Beautiful Struggle: A Father, Two Sons, and an Unlikely Road to Manhood by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Paul Coates was a Vietnam veteran, a former Black Panther, a one-man publishing company of African American literature, and a professor at Howard University. Above all else, he was a father with the sole mission of raising sons in West Baltimore during the Crack Era. Beautiful Struggle follows the divergent paths of Ta-Nehisi, the spacey and sensitive son, and Big Bill, the charismatic son who is always ready for a challenge, through this turbulent period of black boys trying to become black men in America.

Becoming by Michelle Obama

Becoming is the bestselling and inspirational memoir from America’s first black first lady. In this intimate reflection, Michelle Obama chronicles the experiences that shaped her life from her childhood in the South Side of Chicago to her years as a young executive trying to juggle the demands of both work and motherhood along with the near decade she spent at the White House.

Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It by Charlamagne Tha God

Self-proclaimed “Prince of Pissing People Off,” Charlamagne Tha God takes his professional trolling from radio to literature. In his first book, Charlamagne shares his journey from a small town in South Carolina to headline-grabbing interviewer along with his eight principles to unlocking your God-given privilege including “There are no losses in life, only lessons,” “When you live your truth, no one can use it against you,” and “We all have privilege, we just need to access it.”

The Cooking Gene: A Journey Through African American Culinary History in the Old South by Michael W. Twitty

The Cooking Gene is part memoir and part history lesson and explores topics like genealogy, chattel slavery, sexuality, gender, and religion. Southern food is integral to American cuisine, but the question of who “owns” this culinary tradition is a divisive cultural issue. Twitty brings readers to the center of this fight as he traces the roots of his family and the charged politics surrounding the origins of soul food, barbecue, and other Southern cuisine.

Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family by Condoleezza Rice

Before Condoleezza Rice became the first black woman to serve as Secretary of State, she was a young girl living in Birmingham, Alabama under Jim Crow where black citizens were expected to keep their heads down and to do as they were told or face violent consequences. However, through the love and support of her parents, Rice developed her love for politics, sports, and the fine arts that helped her achieve greatness against seemingly insurmountable odds. In Extraordinary, Ordinary People , Rice shares her journey from Birmingham to the White House.

How We Fight for Our Lives by Saeed Jones

In this coming-of-age memoir, Saeed Jones tells the story of a young, black, gay man from the American South who must fight to carve out his place within his family, within his country, and even within himself. Through a series of vignettes, Jones charts the course of his life across the American landscape from his boyhood in Texas and Tennessee to his pursuit of higher education in Kentucky and New Jersey.

I’m Telling the Truth, But I’m Lying: Essays  by Bassey Ikpi

In her remarkable memoir, Ikpi explores her life as a Nigerian American immigrant through the lens of her mental health and ultimate diagnosis of anxiety and bipolar II. Through intimate access, Bassey shows how mental health impacts every aspect of our lives from how we appear to others and to ourselves to what it means to be “normal.”

The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish

From the breakout star of Girls Trip comes a hilarious and brutally honest collection of essays who learned to survive by making people laugh. The Last Black Unicorn shows the Tiffany Haddish who is humble, down-to-earth, but still funny as hell as she shares stories of growing up in one of the poorest neighborhoods in South Central Los Angeles to becoming a household name.

The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae

In her debut memoir, Issa Rae humorously chronicles her life through a series of anecdotes where she opens up about her personal struggle with not feeling “black enough” at times, learning how to accept herself (natural hair and all), deflecting unsolicited comments about weight gain, and other general woes associated with being unabashedly awkward, introverted, and black.

More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (No Matter What They Say) by Elaine Welteroth

Elaine Welteroth has climbed the ranks of media and fashion, shattering ceilings along the way. In 2016, Welteroth was named editor in chief of Teen Vogue. She was only the second black editor in chief for a Condé Nast publication in its over 100 history. In her memoir More Than Enough , Elaine Welteroth unpacks profound lessons on race, identity, and breaking barriers across several intersections. As a young boss and often being the only black woman in the room, Welteroth has had enough of the world telling her she is not enough. As she learns to rely on herself through inward reflection, Welteroth reminds us all that we are more than enough.

My Grandfather’s Son: A Memoir by Clarence Thomas

Spanning Thomas’s life from early childhood to his time in law school as well as his career in government including his Supreme Court confirmation hearings. Readers also get a more intimate look into Thomas’s divorce from his first wife, his evolution to conservatism, and his previously unknown struggle with alcohol. While Thomas’s memoir was praised for its frank tone and style, it was criticized for being too partisan for a sitting Supreme Court Justice.

My Soul Looks Back by Jessica B. Harris

My Soul Looks Back is more than a memoir on friendship and first love. It is also a carefully crafted homage to a bygone era and the people who made it remarkable. In the Technicolor glow of New York City in the early 1970s, Harris danced, debated, and celebrated with illustrious friends like James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, and Toni Morrison who she was introduced to through her relationship with Baldwin’s best friend, Sam Floyd.

Open Wide the Freedom Gates: A Memoir by Dorothy Height

Dorothy Height marched in civil rights rallies, sat through tense White House meetings, and witnessed both the victories and the struggles in the fight for racial equality. However, as a woman among powerful and charismatic men, she received little mainstream recognition until the 1990s when she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In Open Wide the Freedom Gates , Height reflects on her life of service and leadership in the black community.

Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love and So Much More by Janet Mock

In this profound and courageous memoir, Janet Mock shares her experience of growing up poor, multiracial, and trans in America and offers insight into the unique challenges and vulnerabilities of this marginalized and misunderstood population. The book opens in 2009 when she starts to tell her boyfriend she is transgender then moves into the story of her childhood before returning to 2009.

Soul on Ice by Eldridge Cleaver

Soul on Ice is a collection of essays Cleaver wrote while in prison for sexual assault and marijuana possession. The essays are divided into four thematic sections: “Letters from Prison” where Cleaver describes his experiences and thoughts on crimes and prisons; “Blood of the Beast,” which is about race relations and the ideology for black liberation; “Prelude to Love—Three Letters,” the love letters between Cleaver and his attorney Beverly Axelrod; and “White Woman, Black Men” where Cleaver explores gender relations, black masculinity, and sexuality. This raw and searingly honest memoir outraged, shocked and ultimately helped to change how America viewed the Civil Rights Movement and the black experience.

Walking with the Muses: A Memoir by Pat Cleveland

Through a combination of luck, beauty, and enviable style, Pat Cleveland became one of the first black supermodels and found herself in the center of the creative, elegant, and bohemian glamor of the 1970s New York fashion scene. In Walking with the Muses , Cleveland provides a glimpse into 50 years of fashion history through her own personal journey as she evolved from a shy teenager to a chameleon on the catwalk who was the toast of the town in Paris.

What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker: A Memoir in Essays by Damon Young

Damon Young, one half of Very Smart Brothas , believes being black is an extreme sport. In this collection of essays, Young chronicles his efforts to survive in America while possessing black skin and battling the various neuroses this country has given him with thought-provoking humor.

The World According to Fannie Davis: My Mother’s Life in the Detroit Numbers by Bridgett M. Davis

In 1958, Fannie Davis, a young mother from Nashville, Tennessee, borrowed $100 from her brother to start a home-based numbers racket business. Fannie ran this business for 34 years and did whatever it took to keep the business going and provide a prosperous life for her family. The World According to Fannie Davis is a loving daughter’s homage to an extraordinary parent who made a way out of no way in order to give her family a better life.

The Yellow House: A Memoir by Sarah M. Bloom

In The Yellow House , Bloom tells the 100-year history of her family and their relationship to their shotgun house in the neighborhood of New Orleans East. In 1961, Bloom’s mother, Ivory Mae bought The Yellow House during the height of the Space Race in a neighborhood with a major NASA plant. In 2005, it was wiped off the map following Hurricane Katrina. The Yellow House is the unforgettable memoir about the pull of home and family as well as a brilliant narrative on class, race, inequality, and the internalized shame that binds them.

Find more must-read black American memoirs in these lists of must-read contemporary and classic memoirs by writers of color.

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6 Revealing Autobiographies by African American Thinkers

• The Black Freedom Struggle
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• M.S.Ed, Secondary Education, St. John's University
• M.F.A., Creative Writing, City College of New York
• B.A., English, City College of New York

Like the narratives  written by former enslaved African Americans, the ability to tell one's story has played an important role in the lives of African American men and women. Below are six autobiographies that highlight the important contributions men such as Malcolm X and women such as Zora Neale Hurston played in an ever-changing society. 

Dust Tracks on a Road by Zora Neale Hurston

In 1942, Zora Neale Hurston published her autobiography, Dust Tracks on a Road. The autobiography offers readers a glimpse into Hurston’s upbringing in Eatonville, Fla. Then, Hurston describes her career as a writer during the Harlem Renaissance and her work as a cultural anthropologist who traveled through the South and Caribbean. 

This autobiography includes a forward from Maya Angelou , an extensive biography written by Valerie Boyd as well as a P.S. section that includes reviews of the book’s original publication. 

Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Haley

When Malcolm X’s autobiography  was first published in 1965, The New York Times lauded the text  as a “…brilliant, painful, important book.”

Written with the help of Alex Haley , X’s autobiography is based on interviews that took place over the span of two years—from 1963 to his assassination in 1965.

The autobiography explores the tragedies X endured as a child to his transcendence from being a criminal to a world-renown religious leader and social activist. 

Crusade for Justice: The Autobiography of Ida B. Wells

When Crusade for Justice  was published, historian Thelma D. Perry wrote a review in the Negro History Bulletin calling the text "An illuminating narrative of a zealous, race-conscious, civic- and church-minded Black woman reformer, whose life story is a significant chapter in the history of Negro-White relations."

Before passing away in 1931, Ida B. Wells-Barnett  realized that her work as an African American journalist, anti-lynching crusader, and social activist would be forgotten if she did not begin to write about her experiences.

In the autobiography, Wells-Barnett describers her relationships with prominent leaders such as Booker T. Washington, Frederick Douglass and Woodrow Wilson. 

Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington

Considered one of the most powerful African American men of his time, Booker T. Washington ’s autobiography  Up From Slavery offers readers insight into his early life as a enslaved person, his training at Hampton Institute and finally, as president and founder of Tuskegee Institute.

Washington’s autobiography has offered inspiration to many African American leaders such as W.E.B. Du Bois, Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X. 

Black Boy by Richard Wright

In 1944, Richard Wright published Black Boy, a coming-of age autobiography.

 The first section of the autobiography covers Wright’s early childhood of growing up in Mississippi.

The second section of the text, “The Horror and the Glory,” chronicles Wright’s childhood in Chicago where he eventually becomes a part of the Communist Party. 

Assata: An Autobiography

Assata: An Autobiography was written by Assata Shakur in 1987. Describing her memories as a member of the Black Panther Party , Shakur helps readers understand the effect of racism and sexism has on African Americans in society.

Convicted of murdering a New Jersey highway patrol office in 1977, Shakur successfully escaped the Clinton Correctional Facility in 1982. After fleeing to Cuba in 1987, Shakur continues to work to change society. 

• How the Definition of African American History Has Evolved
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Saturday, November 16, 2019

50+ black autobiographies and memoirs, 1845 - 2019.

12 Moving Memoirs By Black Celebrities

These actors, producers, and creatives share their revelatory stories.

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It’s one thing to play or create a role and occupy a stage or a screen or a position behind the camera—writing or memorizing and reciting lines, and inhabiting a character—and quite another to bare all, to be vulnerable in telling one’s own story and displaying one’s struggles to the world. The 12 artists we feature here, such as Shonda Rhimes, who writes characters who boldly express themselves while IRL stifling her own voice, inspire through sharing their journeys, however painful—and often, finally, triumphant.

While each of their paths and backstories is singular, what they have in common with Oprah’s 95th book club pick , Viola Davis’s Finding Me , is that in revealing, at times in intimate detail, what they went through, they are hoping readers will find in their words lessons that will guide them. Davis says that she wrote her book “for anyone running through life untethered, desperate, and clawing their way through murky memories, trying to get some form of self-love…for anyone who needs reminding that a life worth living can only be born from radical honesty and the courage to shed facades…and be you.”

These books remind us that no matter our successes or stature, there are hardships we must face and grapple with, whether poverty, racism, misogyny, violence, mental illness, or all of the above. The fact is, we are all just trying to make our way the best we can, which is why we need to offer each other grace, comfort, and a road map to finding true purpose.

Just as I Am , by Cicely Tyson

The groundbreaking actor died two days after the release of her memoir in 2021 at age 96. Born in New York City to immigrant parents from Nevis in the West Indies, Tyson was raised in a strict religious home. She had a daughter at 18, married and divorced within 18 months. She started a career in modeling at age 30 and starred on the stage and in film.

Her list of films and TV shows in her more than 60-year career include Sounder, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, Roots, and How to Get Away with Murder . The actress talks about her mother’s opposition to her acting, the turbulent relationship with her former husband jazz legend Miles Davis, and her dedication to civil rights.

Born a Crime , by Trevor Noah

Noah grew up in apartheid South Africa. The biracial child of a South African mother and Swiss-German father, he would play hide and seek when the police were in the area. Noah’s existence was proof of his parents’ illegal relationship, and in segregated South Africa, that meant imprisonment. The comedian charts his steady but ambitious path from poverty in Soweto to becoming the host of The Daily Show.

His biggest inspiration is his mother. In talking about her with Oprah , he said: “Most people would have a sign to protest government oppression—my mother had me. In writing this book, I never thought it was about my mom; most of us believe we’re the hero of our own story. But I realized I was always my mother’s sidekick. She stood up at a time when many people were afraid to—when a country was being punished for standing up. She said, ‘I will live the way I believe,’ and she did. She’s the example I live my life by. For me, she’s one of the most gangster human beings.”

The Measure of a Man , by Sidney Poitier

The Measure of a Man was chosen as an Oprah’s Book Club pick in 2007. Poitier passed on January 6th this year, at age 94. In a tribute to her friend, Oprah said, “I treasured him. I adored him. He had an enormous soul I will forever cherish.”

In this “spiritual autobiography,” Poitier discusses his experience growing up on Cat Island in the Bahamas amid poverty. His mother was a great influence on him.“I believe that my mother was a very special human being, and I think that much that has happened to me is the continuance of her soul and her spirit and her gift. All that she was, all that she could never articulate, that she could never say to people…well, she felt far more than she could speak, and she lived, and she had children, and somehow the best of her found its way beyond her, beyond the bounds of her own life. I feel that whatever is good in me is that energy that she was. She put it into her last child.”

Poitier describes the first time he encountered segregation, and how he worked to break down racial barriers throughout his career, carefully picking and choosing roles that would counter prejudice and always remaining active in promoting civil rights. In conversation with Oprah about the book, he shared that he thought of himself as “an ordinary person who’s had an extraordinary life,” and that that the factors that led him to achieve what he had were “parents, providence, and serendipity.”

You Got Anything Stronger? , by Gabrielle Union

In the actress, author, and activist’s most recent book following her bestselling 2017 essays, We're Going to Need More Wine , Union updates us on her relationship with husband Dwayne Wade, who retired from professional basketball in 2019.

Like in her previous book, Union is vulnerable and open. She discusses fertility, her surrogacy journey, and being a mother to two daughters —Kaavia James and Zaya—who came out as transgender.

Year of Yes , by Shonda Rhimes

Though Rhimes is successful beyond any measure, the writer, producer, and showrunner of several long-running hit shows—including Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, and Bridgerton— is an introvert who always said no to social invitations until her sister Delores noted: “You never say yes to anything.”

Rhimes, who has admits to having anxiety about connecting with people outside work, challenged herself to venture beyond her borders and to say yes for a year. She learned a lot, gaining confidence and making major decisions on friendships and whether to get married, among other crossroad points--not unlike those Rhimes through in the path of Olivia Pope.

Around the Way Girl , by Taraji P. Henson

The Empire actress spoke with Oprah Daily in 2018. Henson has starred in several films, including Think Like a Man and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, for which she received an Academy Award nomination; she won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Hidden Figures and will be starring in and producing a movie on Emmett Till.

In her book, the Oscar-nominated star recounts what it was like growing up with a father suffering from addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder after returning home from the Vietnam War. And if that weren’t deep enough, she also addresses the devastating murder of her son’s father.

Bamboozled by Jesus: How God Tricked Me Into the Life of My Dreams, by Yvonne Orji

From being broke and shaking loose change in order to afford two slices of pizza and a drink, to starring in the HBO series Insecure, Orji takes us on a journey of faith and belief in the midst of struggle.

“It’s certainly been a process, but I’ve learned that when we rush the process or don’t trust the roller coaster, when we give up too soon, or refuse to even try, we choke the umbilical cord attached to our purpose and ultimately destroy, delay, or downgrade our destinies,” she writes.

Love Me as I Am , by Garcelle Beauvais

The Jamie Foxx Show star was born in Haiti and moved to Massachusetts with her mother after her parents’ divorce. At 16, Beauvais relocated to Miami and, later, New York to pursue a modeling career.

Beauvais went on to star in Coming to America, The Jamie Foxx Show, NYPD Blu e, and recently, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and to cohost The Real talk show . The twice-divorced Beauvais dishes on her brief dalliances with Michael Jordan and Will Smith and contemplates her ever-present desire to please others, often putting her own best interests aside until eventually realizing she needed to make a change.

The Mother of Black Hollywood , by Jenifer Lewis

Jenifer Lewis’s outsize personality is on full display in her 2017 memoir. From poverty and a bipolar disorder diagnosis to stardom, Lewis’s personal essays and photographs invite us into her world and give us a deeper understanding of the mother of Black Hollywood.

A new collection of the Black-ish star’s essays on living life to the fullest, Walking in My Joy: In These Streets , will be published in August.

The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl , by Issa Rae

Issa Rae is a producer, a writer, a director and an overall powerhouse ever since gaining recognition with her award-winning YouTube series The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl.

Her essays on being socially inept, her Senegalese roots, and the politics of Black hair are told in Rae’s signature comic style. In them, the Insecure creator and actor tackles race, relationships, and dating with an unflinching honesty that will crack you up and touch your soul.

Will , by Will Smith

Before the Slap Heard Round the World, there was the memoir. Oprah told Will Smith that it was “the best memoir I’ve ever read.” The West Philadelphia–born rapper, Oscar-winning actor, and producer’s success is enviable, but for his family, fame was a strain and came with a cost. From his youth as a shy child and his collaborations with friend Jazzy Jeff to becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Smith offers wisdom and humor, telling anecdotes of his journey to personal growth, and inspiring the reader to take a similar journey of transformation.

“You make it so funny that it’s clearly your voice. Who in the hell knew you were a writer? You’re a writer, too?” Oprah prodded on The Oprah Conversation .

Please Don’t Sit on My Bed in Your Outside Clothes , by Phoebe Robinson

Phoebe Robinson’s third book, published under her imprint, Tiny Reparations, is a collection of stories told with humor and wisdom. As on her podcast-turned-TV show 2 Dope Queens with Jessica Williams, Robinson’s voice is full of piss and vinegar. She is insightful when discussing cultural issues. From her parents’ advice to experiences as a Black woman and choosing to not have children, Robinson's essays span serious and timely topics.

“A woman can be achieving her goals, which people swear is one of the tenets of feminism, but if those goals are not in line with what the world at large has deemed as the ultimate objective—settling down and becoming a mother—she might conclude she’s completely missed the point of being an adult. Worse than that, she is made to feel that she chose to fail at being a woman, a failure that is not an individual one, but an attack on the greater good.”

Amen, Phoebe!

Wadzanai is a Books Editor at Oprah Daily where she edits and writes about authors and books. She has written for various publications including The New York Times, The Guardian, Essence Magazine among others. She is also a short story writer centering her work on women, Africa and the Diaspora. 

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The Greatest African American Biopics Of All Time, Ranked

Vote up your favorite Black biopics.

Though we tend to get the most entertainment out of action-packed thrillers, sci-fi flicks, and comedies, a good biopic every now and then can be just as captivating. Not only that, but these biographical films can span a range of genres—no matter the subject at hand. Some of the most moving and interesting of them all, however, are African American biopics. As you can imagine, these typically fall within dramas and period pieces, but they're incredible movies nonetheless. Whether you're talking about breakthrough athlete biopics , notable figures in history, or the greatest musicians, Black biopics are aplenty. 

It's no secret: racial tension has long been a problem in our world and instead of sitting idly by, a great deal of African Americans have made great strides in such difficult circumstances. Considering this, such is often the topic of biopics. From being the first Black baseball player to becoming a leading political rights activist, these moving stories were rightfully made into biopics, and some are simply the greatest biographical films of all time . Jackie Robinson, Malcolm X, Winnie Mandela, and Ray Charles are just a few wonderful subjects of top African American biopics and there are plenty more where that came from. What's your favorite?

Check out the list of African American biopics below and vote up those you think are the best—whether that be the most influential, inspiring, or downright impactful films. Of course, feel free to add any others that may be missing from the list. 

Undeniably influential, this Spike Lee-directed film portrays the life of civil rights activist Malcolm X, played powerfully by Denzel Washington. Erudition and empathy underlie the depiction of the leader's evolution from Malcolm Little - a small-time hustler and street-wise criminal - to his conversion to Islam and his rise as an advocate for African American emancipation. The riveting account of an impassioned voice silenced by assassination is required viewing for those who want to delve into America's historical struggles with racial justice.

• Released : 1992
• Directed by : Spike Lee

Ray offers a captivating portrayal of the life of legendary musician Ray Charles, with Jamie Foxx delivering a breathtakingly authentic performance that earned him an Academy Award. The movie chronicles the journey of Ray's life, from his impoverished childhood and tragic loss of sight, to his meteoric rise to fame and his battle against addiction. This elevation of the biopic genre through its powerful storytelling and emotionally charged scenes cements the film's status as a classic.

• Released : 2004
• Directed by : Taylor Hackford

Hidden Figures

Unearthing a vital but often overlooked part of history, Hidden Figures tells the story of three brilliant African American women mathematicians - Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson - who defied societal expectations to make invaluable contributions to NASA during the 1960s Space Race. Featuring stand-out performances from Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe, this inspiring tale of resilience and perseverance skillfully showcases the brilliance of these three women and their fight for both racial and gender equality. Viewers will leave with a newfound sense of admiration for their groundbreaking work in a predominantly white, male-dominated field.

• Released : 2016
• Directed by : Theodore Melfi

12 Years a Slave

Based on the harrowing true story of Solomon Northup, a free African American man kidnapped and sold into slavery, this devastating film provides a haunting and visceral exploration of the horrors of American chattel slavery. With unforgettable performances from Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lupita Nyong'o, and Michael Fassbender, director Steve McQueen captures the inhumanity, perseverance, and eventual triumph of Northup's spirit in the face of unbelievable adversity. Garnering numerous accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Picture, the film is a necessary reminder of the dehumanizing brutality of America's past and a chilling call to never forget.

• Released : 2013
• Directed by : Steve McQueen

Straight Outta Compton

A gritty and gripping account of the controversial emergence of gangsta rap group N.W.A., this movie dives into the complex dynamics and social context that shaped their incendiary music. With powerful performances from a young cast, the film portrays the irresistibly defiant spirit of rappers Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, MC Ren, and DJ Yella, capturing the raw energy of their influential rise against the backdrop of racial tension and police brutality in late-1980s Los Angeles. By revealing the captivating stories behind the music, it leaves an indelible mark on viewers who crave authenticity.

• Released : 2015
• Directed by : F. Gary Gray

Remember the Titans

Set against the backdrop of racial tensions in early-1970s Virginia, this uplifting sports drama recounts the true story of an African American football coach, played by Denzel Washington, tasked with integrating a racially divided high school team. Aided by a strong ensemble cast, the movie skillfully weaves themes of courage, unity, and acceptance into a larger narrative about overcoming prejudice. By rooting the story in the transformative power of sports, the film manages to effectively address the persistent struggle for racial equality in America.

• Released : 2000
• Directed by : Boaz Yakin

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Secret Service director steps down amid resignation calls after Trump assassination attempt

U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has stepped down after widespread calls from lawmakers for her to resign following the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on July 13, three sources told NBC News.

An official announcement on her resignation is expected later this morning, two law enforcement sources said.

Cheatle’s resignation comes a day after she faced questions from angry lawmakers from both parties who were exasperated over the Secret Service’s failure to protect Trump.

Her responses didn’t satisfy the leaders of the House Oversight Committee, which held the hearing Monday. 

“Today, you failed to provide answers to basic questions regarding that stunning operational failure and to reassure the American people that the Secret Service has learned its lessons and begun to correct its systemic blunders and failures,” Chairman James Comer R-Ky., and Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, D-Md., wrote in  a joint letter to Cheatle  hours after the hearing ended. 

The two members said that the committee and American people “demand serious institutional accountability and transparency that you are not providing,” especially during a presidential election year.  

“We call on you to resign as Director as a first step to allowing new leadership to swiftly address this crisis and rebuild the trust of a truly concerned Congress and the American people,” they wrote.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and several other top Republicans, including House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso, R-Wyo., had  called on Cheatle to resign . 

“She needs to go,” Barrasso  told NBC News’ Hallie Jackson  after a Senate briefing on the shooting last week.

In an interview with  ABC News  last week, Cheatle said the “buck” stopped with her.

The agency was conducting a review of the incident, she said, and she did not have all the details about what happened. But Cheatle said there had been a “very short” period between when the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was reported as potentially suspicious and when he began shooting from a rooftop.

After a Senate briefing Wednesday on the assassination attempt, two sources familiar with the proceedings said that window of time was  62 minutes .

The sources also said Secret Service agents spotted Crooks on a rooftop  10 minutes before Trump took the stage , and 20 minutes elapsed before he opened fire.  

Trump has said he was shot in the upper part of his right ear. A former fire official,  Corey Comperatore , died in the shooting. Two others were injured and hospitalized, and their conditions have improved.

This article was originally published on  NBCNews.com .

Julia Ainsley is a correspondent covering the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice for the NBC News Investigative Unit.

Sarah Fitzpatrick is an investigative producer for NBC News. 

Rebecca Shabad is a congressional reporter for NBC News, based in Washington.

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