Top Black and African American Life Stories

The best Black & African American Biographies includes Master of Me: Unlock Your Narrative Secrets, I Know Why Caged Bird Sings Audiobook, Born a Crime: Stories from South African Youth and many others as mentioned below.

1

Master of Me: Unlock Your Narrative Secrets

  • Inspiring journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
  • Narrated by award-winning entertainer Keke Palmer.
  • Includes the original song "Imposter."
  • Addresses challenges of boundaries and self-worth.
  • Encourages listeners to master their own narratives.
  • Personal stories that resonate with real-life struggles.
  • Promotes authenticity and personal growth throughout.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $13.12
2

I Know Why Caged Bird Sings Audiobook

  • Powerful memoir of resilience and self-discovery.
  • Chronicles Maya's childhood challenges and triumphs.
  • Explores themes of racism and identity.
  • Celebrates the strength of the human spirit.
  • Beautifully narrated, engaging for all listeners.
  • A modern American classic, timeless and impactful.
  • Inspires empathy, understanding, and personal growth.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $15.75
3

Born a Crime: Stories from South African Youth

  • #1 New York Times Bestseller
  • Over one million copies sold globally
  • Brilliant memoir by Trevor Noah
  • Explores childhood during apartheid in South Africa
  • Humorous and poignant storytelling
  • Winner of prestigious literary awards
  • Highlights mother-son relationship and resilience
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $10.09
4

Grown Woman Talk: Lifelong Wellness Health Guide

  • Empowering guide for women's health and aging.
  • Combines medical advice with personal stories.
  • Addresses overlooked health issues for women.
  • Encourages open discussions about women's health.
  • Practical resources for navigating healthcare challenges.
  • Written by leading OB/GYN Dr. Sharon Malone.
  • Aims to boost women's confidence and agency.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $16.99
5

The Autobiography of Malcolm X [Paperback]

  • Performed by Oscar-nominated actor Laurence Fishburne.
  • Highlights Malcolm X’s extraordinary life journey.
  • Explores the growth of the Human Rights movement.
  • Challenges the myths of the American dream.
  • Addresses systemic racism and inequality in society.
  • Timeless message relevant to contemporary issues.
  • Essential reading for understanding African American experiences.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $30.63
6

Get Honest or Die Lying (Paperback)

  • Insights from Charlamagne Tha God.
  • Challenges the dominance of small talk.
  • Calls for meaningful conversations.
  • Examines culture, politics, and personal growth.
  • Humor and heart in every chapter.
  • Empowers readers to embrace authenticity.
  • Encourages self-reflection and personal evolution.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $13.12
7

Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me (eBook)

  • Unique memoir by multi-award winner Whoopi Goldberg.
  • Explores family influence on her early life.
  • Heartfelt tribute to her mother and brother.
  • Describes childhood in New York City projects.
  • Shares personal stories of love and resilience.
  • Encourages authenticity and self-discovery.
  • Fans of memoirs will find it deeply touching.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $1.99
  • Color: and
8

The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates

  • Two boys, same name, different fates.
  • New York Times bestseller by Wes Moore.
  • Explores choices shaping their contrasting lives.
  • Heartfelt letters reveal deep personal connections.
  • Alternating narratives highlight struggles and triumphs.
  • Addresses themes of fate, identity, and redemption.
  • A powerful story for a generation's reflection.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $11.34
9

Malcolm X: Autobiography by Alex Haley

  • Classic autobiography of Malcolm X's life journey.
  • Insight into the Black Muslim movement's growth.
  • Explores racism and the American Dream's limitations.
  • Timeless message relevant to contemporary society.
  • Essential reading for understanding American history.
  • Praised by The New York Times for its brilliance.
  • A significant work in the Afro-American struggle literature.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $8.27
10

The Sun Does Shine: Life and Freedom (Oprah's Selection)

  • Powerful memoir of hope and resilience.
  • Oprah's Book Club Summer 2018 Selection.
  • Written by Anthony Ray Hinton, wrongfully imprisoned.
  • Thirty years on death row for a crime he didn't commit.
  • Foreword by civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson.
  • Inspiring story of love and justice.
  • Highlights the power of imagination and joy.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $2.99
11

The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates (Paperback, 304 pages)

  • #1 National Bestseller and New York Times bestseller.
  • Explores stories that shape our realities and narratives.
  • Reflects on race, history, and identity in America.
  • Three intertwining essays journey through conflict sites.
  • Challenges conventional narratives and societal myths.
  • Insights from travels to Africa, Columbia, and Palestine.
  • Urgent call for embracing difficult truths and realities.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $19.60
12

Bits and Pieces: Family Memories (Paperback, 200 pages)

  • Unique memoir by Whoopi Goldberg.
  • Explores family influence on her life.
  • Heartfelt stories of love and resilience.
  • Tribute to her mother and brother.
  • Enriching childhood experiences in New York City.
  • Encouragement to be true to oneself.
  • For fans of personal memoirs.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $15.66
13

Will Smith: A Biography (Paperback)

  • Instant #1 New York Times bestseller.
  • Brave and inspiring memoir by Will Smith.
  • Heartwarming glimpse into his life and struggles.
  • Winner of the NAACP Image Award.
  • Story of transformation and self-knowledge.
  • Written with Mark Manson’s insightful guidance.
  • Universal wisdom wrapped in an entertaining narrative.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $5.64
14

The Fire Next Time [Paperback]

  • NATIONAL BESTSELLER that shaped civil rights movement.
  • Insightful exploration of race in America today.
  • Powerful evocation of Baldwin's Harlem upbringing.
  • Two impactful letters on racial injustice.
  • Described as brilliant prose by The New York Times.
  • Calls for unity in confronting racism's legacy.
  • A classic work of American literature.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $9.43
15

Dream: The Life and Legacy of Hakeem Olajuwon (Book)

  • Explore Hakeem Olajuwon's groundbreaking basketball legacy.
  • Two-time NBA champion with unparalleled skills.
  • First international MVP in NBA history.
  • Impact on global basketball culture and growth.
  • Insightful biography by award-winning journalist Mirin Fader.
  • Nostalgic look at Phi Slama Jama era.
  • Olajuwon's influence on today's basketball stars.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $19.10
16

Finding Me: A Memoir of Self-Discovery (Paperback)

  • Oprah's Book Club Pick
  • Powerful memoir of self-discovery
  • Intimate, honest storytelling
  • Inspires readers to embrace authenticity
  • Journey from struggle to success
  • Encourages creativity and self-expression
  • A love letter to self-acceptance
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $11.76
17

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

  • Autobiography of Frederick Douglass, former slave.
  • Powerful account of his journey to freedom.
  • Graphic descriptions of childhood and slavery experiences.
  • Influential work in African-American history.
  • Compelling narrative with vivid storytelling.
  • Essential reading for civil rights enthusiasts.
  • Published in 1845, a timeless classic.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $4.50
18

Lovely One: A Memoir (Paperback)

  • #1 New York Times Bestseller.
  • Vulnerable and inspiring life story of Ketanji Brown Jackson.
  • First Black woman on the Supreme Court.
  • Chronicles family’s journey from segregation to success.
  • Reflects on heritage and personal legacy.
  • Details challenges in the legal profession.
  • Encourages dreamers to pursue their ambitions.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $17.50
19

Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.

  • Dual biography of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.
  • Challenges traditional views on their contrasting ideologies.
  • Explores the struggle for Black freedom and rights.
  • Reveals their mutual inspiration and influence on each other.
  • Offers a revisionist perspective on their lives and impact.
  • Highlights the complexities of the civil rights movement.
  • Transforms understanding of 20th-century African American leaders.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $19.10
20

Long Way Gone: Soldier's Memoir

  • First-person account of a child soldier's experiences.
  • Explores the reality of modern warfare and childhood.
  • Heartbreaking survival story of Ishmael Beah.
  • Insight into the psychological impact of war.
  • Reveals the transformation from innocence to violence.
  • Literary force that captivates and educates readers.
  • A rare glimpse into global child soldier crisis.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $8.57
21

A Promised Land by Barack Obama

  • Personal account of Barack Obama's presidency.
  • Details his journey from community organizer to president.
  • Explores challenges and triumphs in political leadership.
  • Insightful reflections on democracy and power dynamics.
  • Intimate look at family life in the White House.
  • Highlights major historical events during his tenure.
  • Emphasizes hope, change, and ongoing progress in America.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $19.00
22

Becoming: A Guided Journal to Discover Your Voice

  • Intimate memoir of Michelle Obama's life journey.
  • Features a letter to her younger self.
  • Includes a book club discussion guide.
  • New introduction by Michelle Obama included.
  • Explores her role as First Lady.
  • Highlights advocacy for women and girls.
  • Award-winning bestseller and cultural phenomenon.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $10.17
23

Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter: 50 Cent Guide

  • New York Times bestseller by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson.
  • Inspires personal and professional comebacks.
  • Unique self-help guide with hard-earned lessons.
  • Combines street smarts and corporate savvy.
  • Learn to embrace and adapt to change.
  • Insights from a successful music and business career.
  • Practical advice for achieving your own success.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $10.83
24

The Color of Water: A Son's Tribute to His Mother

  • Powerful memoir of race and identity.
  • Chronicles a mother's extraordinary life journey.
  • Explores themes of love, resilience, and heritage.
  • Offers insight into mixed-race experiences.
  • Bestselling author James McBride's poignant storytelling.
  • Highlights the importance of family and values.
  • A timeless tribute to a mother's strength.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $9.80
  • Color: Amazon Videos
25

Black Heroes: Inspiring Modern U.S. Figures

  • 51 inspiring biographies of black heroes.
  • Learn about leaders from history and modern times.
  • Engaging stories of trailblazers worldwide.
  • Explore diverse figures from various backgrounds.
  • Colorful illustrations bring heroes to life.
  • Ideas for further exploration included for each hero.
  • Perfect for kids ages 8 to 12.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $8.24
26

Cry Like a Man: Emotional Freedom Guide

  • Transformative memoir by Jason Wilson.
  • Explores emotional incarceration in masculinity.
  • Personal stories of loss and resilience.
  • Guidance for boys and men seeking healing.
  • Focus on childhood trauma and father wounds.
  • Encourages emotional transparency and vulnerability.
  • Offers hope for renewed minds and relationships.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $13.50
27

The Sun Does Shine: A Memoir - Audiobook

  • Oprah's Book Club Summer 2018 Selection
  • Powerful story of hope and justice
  • Written by Anthony Ray Hinton
  • 30 years wrongfully imprisoned on death row
  • Foreword by Bryan Stevenson
  • Inspiring journey of resilience and imagination
  • Narrated by Kevin R. Free
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $17.71
28

Just as I Am: A Memoir (Hardcover)

  • Memoir by iconic actress Cicely Tyson.
  • Authentic reflections on her extraordinary life.
  • Explores her journey from church girl to actress.
  • Insights into her personal and professional struggles.
  • Celebrates her love for family and friends.
  • A profound exploration of faith and resilience.
  • Inspires readers to embrace their own truths.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $7.99
29

Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem - The Audiobook Memoir

  • New York Times best seller memoir.
  • Dapper Dan: fashion icon and cultural legend.
  • Pioneered high-end streetwear in the 1980s.
  • Inspiring story of tenacity and artistry.
  • Defined an era, dressing cultural icons.
  • Combines fashion with a powerful life journey.
  • A true testament to self-liberation and creativity.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $15.75
30

The Light We Carry: Navigating Uncertainty (Hardcover)

  • Inspiring follow-up to acclaimed memoir "Becoming."
  • Offers practical wisdom for uncertain times.
  • Encourages building strong, honest relationships.
  • Explores strength and community in differences.
  • Shares tools to combat self-doubt and helplessness.
  • Combines humor, candor, and compassion throughout.
  • Empowers readers to recognize and use their light.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $15.30