Top Black and African American Poetry Collections

The best Black & African American Poetry includes Freedom Forward by Morgan Richard Olivier, Complete Poetry of Maya Angelou (Hardcover, 288 pages), The Tears That Taught Me (eBook) and many others as mentioned below.

1

Freedom Forward by Morgan Richard Olivier

  • Profound poetry exploring mental and emotional barriers.
  • Insights for overcoming personal obstacles and growth.
  • Encourages forgiveness of self and others.
  • Aims to awaken inner peace and confidence.
  • Guides readers in letting go of past trauma.
  • Empowers with wisdom and love through healing.
  • Stimulates personal transformation and purpose discovery.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $17.81
2

Complete Poetry of Maya Angelou (Hardcover, 288 pages)

  • Complete collection of Maya Angelou's poetry.
  • Includes her inaugural poem "On the Pulse of Morning."
  • Reflects on African American life and hardship.
  • Celebrates womanhood in powerful verses.
  • Features never-before-published poem "Amazement Awaits."
  • Timeless words that inspire and heal.
  • A must-have for poetry lovers and admirers.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $14.86
3

The Tears That Taught Me (eBook)

  • Honest reflections on tears and triumphs.
  • Guides readers through struggles and life lessons.
  • Encourages personal growth and emotional acceptance.
  • Combines poetry and prose for deeper insights.
  • Inspires peace with pain and past experiences.
  • Promotes understanding of one's greater purpose.
  • A journey of self-discovery and transformation.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $9.99
4

The Hill We Climb: Inaugural Poem

  • Instant #1 New York Times bestseller.
  • Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem of hope.
  • Celebrates unity and healing for America.
  • Includes a foreword by Oprah Winfrey.
  • Perfect gift edition for poetry lovers.
  • Captivating performance at Biden’s inauguration.
  • Uplifting and inspiring message for all readers.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $8.79
5

Freedom Forward: A Journey to Empowerment

  • Transformative poetry and prose collection by Morgan Richard Olivier.
  • Addresses mental, emotional, and spiritual barriers to freedom.
  • Encourages self-reflection and overcoming internal obstacles.
  • Guides readers towards forgiveness and healing journeys.
  • Promotes inner peace and personal growth through writing.
  • Empowers readers to release negative emotions and attachments.
  • Unlocks wisdom and love within for true deliverance.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $9.99
6

Strength That Endures by Morgan Richard Olivier

  • Explores pain's transformative journey to purpose.
  • Empowers readers through self-discovery and healing.
  • Combines poetry and prose for deeper insights.
  • Builds on themes from The Tears That Taught Me.
  • Encourages discernment and personal growth.
  • Offers wisdom for embracing resilience and strength.
  • Invites reflection on life's profound lessons.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $18.99
7

Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine

  • Finalist for National Book Award in Poetry
  • Award-winning exploration of race and identity
  • Includes essays, poetry, and powerful imagery
  • Addresses everyday racial aggressions in modern life
  • Acclaimed by major publications and critics
  • Compelling follow-up to Don't Let Me Be Lonely
  • Highlights the impact of racism on citizenship
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $12.10
8

Voices of Resilience: A Poetry Collection

  • Debut poetry collection by Amanda Gorman.
  • Explores themes of history and identity.
  • Captures collective grief from the pandemic.
  • Features inventive styles and structures.
  • Transforms moments into lyricism of hope.
  • Bestselling on multiple prestigious lists.
  • A voice for the future and past.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $16.64
9

Blooming Bare Morgan Richard Olivier [Model 2023]

  • Poetry and prose on self-discovery and acceptance.
  • Guides readers on the journey of self-love.
  • Encourages embracing authenticity and personal truths.
  • Explores themes of healing and inner growth.
  • Reveals insights into overcoming personal challenges.
  • Empowers readers to bloom boldly and unapologetically.
  • Inspires reflection and raw conversation with oneself.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $16.99
10

Phenomenal Woman: Poems Celebrating Female Strength

  • Celebrates the strength of women through poetry.
  • Features four iconic poems by Maya Angelou.
  • Includes “Phenomenal Woman” and “Still I Rise.”
  • Beautifully bound edition, perfect for gifting.
  • Inspires and uplifts readers of all ages.
  • A timeless tribute to women's resilience and grace.
  • Perfect for personal reflection or shared inspiration.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $8.53
11

Scorched Earth: Poems by Tiana Clark

  • Striking sophomore collection from award-winning author.
  • Explores themes of love, identity, and cultural history.
  • Addresses divorce and representation in modern media.
  • Juxtaposes sensuality with institutional and historical pains.
  • Celebrates queer and Black joys through lyrical language.
  • Earns praise from renowned poets and critics alike.
  • A transcendent anthology for contemporary readers.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $16.73
12

Maya Angelou: Collected Poems [Paperback Edition]

  • Celebrated poetry by Maya Angelou.
  • Explores themes of survival and resilience.
  • Rich, emotional language that captivates readers.
  • A perfect gift for poetry lovers.
  • Highlights Angelou's unique voice and perspective.
  • Includes powerful reflections on life experiences.
  • A must-read collection for inspiration and reflection.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $7.99
13

Something Inside: A Poetry Collection

  • Journey from adolescence to adulthood through poetry.
  • Lighthearted verses mixed with profound reflections.
  • Explores themes of love and self-awareness.
  • Encourages social consciousness and personal growth.
  • Invites readers to reflect on their own experiences.
  • Beautifully crafted poetry for all ages.
  • Perfect gift for poetry lovers and seekers.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $15.99
14

Counting Descent (Paperback) by Clint Smith

  • Award-winning poetry collection by Clint Smith.
  • Explores black identity and joyful existence.
  • Intimate and generous invitation to reflection.
  • Combines personal and political histories seamlessly.
  • Engages with themes of lineage and tradition.
  • Celebrated by prominent literary figures.
  • A powerful journey of growth and unlearning.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $15.70
15

Greatest American Poets [Various Authors]

  • Timeless poetry from iconic American poets.
  • Features Dickinson, Whitman, Frost, and more.
  • Explores themes of love, nature, and mortality.
  • Captures the essence of American life.
  • Perfect for book clubs and discussions.
  • Experience the beauty of enduring words.
  • Showcases the depth of American poetic tradition.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $11.99
16

Life on Mars: Poems by Tracy K. Smith

  • Award-winning poetry collection by Tracy K. Smith.
  • Winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.
  • Explores themes of existence and human experience.
  • Imagines interplanetary travel and cosmic soundtracks.
  • Reflects on love, loss, and personal history.
  • Combines lyrical brilliance with political insights.
  • Celebrated as a New York Times Notable Book.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $9.39
17

Langston Hughes: Collected Poems (Vintage Classics)

  • Complete collection of Langston Hughes' poems.
  • Features 868 poems, many previously unpublished.
  • Arranged chronologically by composition order.
  • Includes well-known and lesser-known works.
  • Annotations by experts Arnold Rampersad and David Roessel.
  • Highlights Hughes' role in the Harlem Renaissance.
  • A treasure trove of American poetic culture.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $18.98
18

Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude [Pitt Poetry Series]

  • Award-winning poetry collection by Ross Gay.
  • Explores themes of loss and gratitude.
  • Reflects on nature's healing power.
  • Inspires readers with profound meditations.
  • Rich imagery from gardens and orchards.
  • Celebrates the cycle of life and death.
  • Perfect for poetry lovers and contemplative readers.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $10.34
19

Doggerel Poems by Reginald Dwayne Betts

  • Revelatory meditation on Blackness and masculinity.
  • Explores companionship through the lens of dogs.
  • Combines personal experience with political critique.
  • Innovative use of poetic forms like pantoum and ghazal.
  • Reflects on family, love, and friendship themes.
  • From a prominent voice in contemporary poetry.
  • Anticipated release in 2025 by Literary Hub.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $26.99
20

Apologies That Never Came by Pierre Jeanty

  • Explores unspoken emotions of heartbreak and pain.
  • Offers solace to the wounded soul.
  • Simple, clear prose and poetry style.
  • Encourages growth through shared experiences.
  • Creates unity and healing from personal torment.
  • Ideal for fans of introspective poetry.
  • Written by social media sensation Pierre Jeanty.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $8.13
21

Black Girl, Call Home: Jasmine Edition

  • Unforgettable poetry collection by Jasmine Mans.
  • Explores race, feminism, and queer identity.
  • A love letter to the wandering Black girl.
  • Celebrated by numerous prestigious publications.
  • Echoes of literary icons Gwendolyn Brooks and Sonia Sanchez.
  • Vital companion for women seeking truth and belonging.
  • Captures the journey to adulthood as a young Black woman.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $9.99
22

Midnight Moon by r.h. Sin [Paperback]

  • Heartfelt poetry exploring loneliness and connection.
  • By bestselling author r.h. Sin.
  • Journey through goodbyes and forgiveness.
  • Reflective insights under the midnight moon.
  • Captivating verses for sleepless nights.
  • Emotional depth and raw honesty throughout.
  • Sin’s most powerful collection yet.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $7.36
23

Ashes of Her Love by Pierre Alex Jeanty

  • Empowers women to overcome heartbreak and move forward.
  • Offers clarity after the end of a relationship.
  • Encourages letting go of toxic emotional ties.
  • Inspires freedom from past, unhealthy love stories.
  • Helps avoid repeating cycles of heartache.
  • Promotes self-discovery and personal growth.
  • The beginning of a new love journey awaits.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $17.99
24

Echoes of the Soul: Poems and Prose Collection (1 Volume)

  • Heartfelt poetry connecting deeply with readers.
  • Explores love, loss, and personal growth themes.
  • Invites reflection on life's ups and downs.
  • Beautifully crafted words evoke powerful emotions.
  • Written by passionate poet Alexis M. Jones.
  • Encourages readers to embrace their inner journey.
  • Celebrates community and shared human experiences.
  • Price Range: $15.99
25

She Felt Like Feeling Nothing (eBook)

  • Explores themes of self-discovery and introspection.
  • Provides a safe space for weary hearts.
  • First book in the "What She Felt" series.
  • Written by acclaimed poet r.h. Sin.
  • Encourages emotional healing and personal growth.
  • A soothing read for troubled souls.
  • Perfect for women seeking solace and reflection.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $8.05
26

This Is Honey: Contemporary Black Poets Anthology

  • Breathtaking collection of contemporary Black poetry.
  • Edited by bestselling author Kwame Alexander.
  • Features prominent poets like Rita Dove and Jericho Brown.
  • Explores themes of joy, love, and heritage.
  • Rich imagery and emotional depth throughout the anthology.
  • A must-have for poetry lovers and enthusiasts.
  • Celebrates resilience and cultural identity through language.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $18.09
  • Color: contains poems exploring joy
27

And Still I Rise: Unabridged Poems

  • Celebrates life through powerful, evocative poetry.
  • Features Maya Angelou's beloved poem, "Phenomenal Woman."
  • Unabridged selections from a renowned literary icon.
  • Deeply moving reflections on love and strength.
  • Accompanied the documentary film on Maya Angelou's life.
  • Perfect for poetry lovers and collectors alike.
  • Inspires confidence and resilience in readers.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $4.73
28

More Beautiful Things Than Beyoncé [Book]

  • Powerful poetry collection on black womanhood.
  • Critically acclaimed by TIME and Oprah Magazine.
  • Explores vulnerability and resilience with exquisite language.
  • Dynamic meditation on societal narratives and identity.
  • Feminist themes celebrating love and struggle.
  • Intriguing blend of tragedy and excellence.
  • Challenging conventional perceptions of beauty and power.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $16.95
29

White Injustice: The Tragedy of Justice

  • Reprint of the original 1935 edition.
  • Written by Marcus Garvey during imprisonment.
  • Explores themes of racial injustice and prejudice.
  • Unique style blending facts and historical perspective.
  • Circulated globally, influencing many readers.
  • Garvey's reflections on white conduct in history.
  • Considered an important work of Black literature.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $4.35