1. The Black Guy Dies First
By Robin R. Means Coleman and Mark H. Harris (2023)
This is a very popular non-fiction book that explores the history of Black characters in horror cinema. The title refers to the famous (and often poked-fun-at) trope in movies where the "Black guy" is the first to be killed. It covers everything from early stereotypes to modern hits like Get Out.
2. Invisible Man
By Ralph Ellison (1952)
If you're thinking of a classic "story of a Black man," this is often the first one that comes to mind. It's a seminal novel about an unnamed Black narrator traveling through 1930s America, dealing with the fact that society refuses to truly "see" him.
3. The Man in Black (or The Gunslinger)
By Stephen King
Sometimes people confuse "The Black Guy" with "The Man in Black" (Randall Flagg), the primary antagonist of The Dark Tower series and The Stand. While the character is often depicted as white, he is defined by his title as "The Man in Black."
4. The Black Book
By Middleton A. Harris (curated by Toni Morrison)
First published in 1974, this is a massive collection of "stories"—using documents, photos, and folklore—to tell the history of Black life in America from slavery to the 20th century.
Do any of these ring a bell? If not, was it a memoir (a true life story) or a fiction novel? Even a tiny detail about the cover or the plot will help me pin it down for you!