Black American Nonfiction
Enjoy these nonfiction titles by Black American authors about Black history, culture, and life published within the last two years and selected by librarians at The Seattle Public Library. Annotations from review sources, as cited. (January 2026)
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The Black Family Who Built America
A foundation of expertise and excellence first laid 200 years ago continues to shape a Black family’s groundbreaking legacy in this tenacious debut memoir from Daniel, president of McKissack & McKissack, America’s oldest minority-owned construction firm. (Publishers Weekly)
Format: Book
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Queen Mother
Farmer reintroduces readers to the legendary Black American activist Audley "Queen Mother" Moore (1898–1997), who was a trailblazer in the fight for reparations. An excellent, comprehensive study of an unjustly forgotten civil rights legend. (Library Journal)
Format: Book
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Holy Ground
An inspiring collection of essays, personal and political, from the leading environmental justice activist of our time, that frames the challenges we face as a society and - with grace, generosity, and hope - charts the way toward equity, respect, and a brighter future. (Publisher description)
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The Black Box
Literary scholar and historian Gates parses the words, sounds, images, and insinuations of the fraught and curious history of Black self-definition over the ages. This gem brilliantly reflects multiple depictions of what it means to be a Black American amid complex, structured interracial and color-based discrimination discourses, in which writing and language are keys. (Library Journal)
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Black Moses
In this enthralling saga, journalist Gayle resurfaces the little-remembered late-19th-century effort to turn Oklahoma into a Black state. Gayle’s stylish, brisk account elegantly incorporates many tangents (including spotlighting the Native nations being dispossessed by McCabe’s efforts). It’s one not to miss. (Publishers Weekly)
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Make It Ours
This bracing account from Pulitzer Prize--winning critic Givhan explores how designer Virgil Abloh, who died of cancer at age 41 in 2021, transformed the fashion world. The result is an excellent testament to Abloh's enduring influence. (Publishers Weekly)
Format: Book
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Sharks Don't Sink
In this inspiring debut memoir, marine biologist Graham discusses her trials and triumphs as a Black woman in the sciences. Vivid prose ... and Graham’s palpable enthusiasm for her work make this sing. It's an impassioned tale of ambition and advocacy. (Publishers Weekly)
Format: Book
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Braided Heritage
Award-winning cookbook author and culinary scholar Harris identifies three different foodways - Indigenous American, European, and African American - that when braided together, tell the story of U.S. cuisine. (Library Journal)
Format: Book
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107 Days
[F]ormer Vice President Harris offers her own account of the consequential months surrounding Biden’s withdrawal and her swift campaign for the presidency. (Kirkus)
Format: Book
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Blues in Stereo
National Book Award finalist Danez Smith joins as curator for this work, offering an introduction on Hughes's lyrical, evocative, and award-winning poetry and notes on the formation of his signature style and craft. Collected from libraries and little-known publications across the country, Blues in Stereo features some of Hughes's earliest undiscovered writings. (NoveList)
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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