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BLK Bestsellers List — February 2025

America’s Bestselling Books by Black Writers and Illustrators

Adult Nonfiction (Hardcover) — February 2025
#1
Months on List: 3
by Keke Palmer
Flatiron Books (November 19, 2024), Hardcover
An entertainer and new mother shares her journey of self-discovery, resilience, and reclaiming personal power through candid reflections on identity, boundaries, and navigating life’s unexpected turns.
#2
Months on List: 13
by Michael Harriot
Dey Street Books (September 19, 2023), Hardcover
Harriot humorously yet critically challenges the dominant white narrative of American history, providing a fresh perspective through the overlooked experiences of Black Americans across significant events.
#3
Months on List: 1
by Imani Perry
Ecco Press (January 28, 2025), Hardcover
Blending personal reflection with cultural history, this exploration traces the emotional and symbolic power of the color blue as it weaves through the experiences, art, and identity of Black life.
#4
Months on List: 1
by Zeinab Badawi
Mariner Books (January 14, 2025), Hardcover
This continent-spanning history reclaims Africa’s rich and complex past by centering African voices, civilizations, and narratives from humanity’s origins to the present day.
#5
Months on List: 11
by Hanif Abdurraqib
Random House (March 26, 2024), Hardcover
In <em>There's Always This Year,</em> acclaimed author Hanif Abdurraqib deftly intertwines memoir, social critique, and a deep dive into basketball culture, examining the meaning of success, the tension between excellence and expectation, and the concept of role models, all through the lens of his Ohioan roots and affection for the game.
#6
Months on List: 8
by Fawn Weaver
Melcher Media Inc (June 18, 2024), Hardcover
In <em>Love & Whiskey,</em> bestselling author Fawn Weaver embarks on a personal journey to unravel and immortalize the untold story of Nearest Green, the African American distiller behind the iconic Jack Daniel's whiskey, seamlessly blending historical investigation with a tribute to enduring friendship and unseen contributions to America's cultural and whiskey heritage.
#7
Months on List: 1
by Ira Madison Iii
Random House (February 4, 2025), Hardcover
In <em>Pure Innocent Fun,</em> Ira Madison III, through a fusion of memoir and cultural critique, explores pivotal pop culture moments that shaped his identity and career, offering a unique and humorous view on how media from the '90s and 2000s influences us all.
#8
Months on List: 1
by Juan Williams
Simon & Schuster (January 14, 2025), Hardcover
<em>New Prize for These Eyes</em> is an insightful examination by bestselling author Juan Williams, detailing the rise and evolution of a new, 21st-century civil rights movement, in the era from Barack Obama's presidency to modern times, highlighting the vital roles of social media, demographic changes, and persistent racial issues.
#9
Months on List: 10
by Nikole Hannah-jones
One World (November 16, 2021), Hardcover
The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story is an enlightening exploration of American history that places slavery and its continuing legacy at the center of the narrative, revealing the profound impact of it on contemporary American society through an intricate blend of historical essays, poems, and works of fiction contributed by renowned scholars, authors, and poets.
#10
Months on List: 1
by Maurice J. Hobson, Eddie R. Cole, Jim C. Harper Ii, And Derrick P. Alridge
University Of North Carolina Press (January 28, 2025), Hardcover
This is a deep dive into the history of a prominent fraternity and its significant role in the Black freedom struggle, showcasing both individual and collective contributions to social justice movements.
#11
Months on List: 2
by Jon Gray, Pierre Serrao, And Lester Walker
Artisan (October 25, 2022), Hardcover
This book blends 75 flavorful, mainly plant-based recipes with gripping narratives and vibrant photography that applaud Black food and culture, prompting wider discussions about race, history, food inequality, and the empowering potential of healthy eating.
#12
Months on List: 1
by Lee Hawkins
Amistad Press (January 14, 2025), Hardcover
In <em>I Am Nobody's Slave,</em> a Pulitzer Prize finalist uncovers his Black family's generations-long struggle with the legacy of slavery and systemic racism, exposing the lethal impact of racial violence and prejudice in their pursuit of the American Dream.
#13
Months on List: 4
by Kellie Carter Jackson
Seal Press (June 4, 2024), Hardcover
In <em>We Refuse,</em> historian Kellie Carter Jackson offers a compelling examination of the varied tactics of Black resistance—beyond the binary of nonviolence and violence—unveiling the crucial role of force, joy, and peaceful non-participation in combating systemic racism and paving the way toward liberation.
#14
Months on List: 3
by Oludara Adeeyo
Adams Media (January 11, 2022), Hardcover
<em>The Self-Care for Black Women</em> is a transformative guide offering 150 specific exercises to help Black women prioritize their mental and physical wellness, navigate everyday micro-aggressions, and cultivate a sense of peace through effective self-advocacy and self-care practices.
#15
Months on List: 1
by Randall Woodfin
Diversion Books (January 21, 2025), Hardcover
This is the vivid memoir of an African American man's journey of resilience and public service in Birmingham, Alabama, from facing systemic racism and gun violence in his youth to becoming the city's youngest mayor, infused with street-wisdom from Southern rap music, and considered a beacon of progressive leadership for the entire nation.
#16
Months on List: 1
by Brea Baker
One World (June 18, 2024), Hardcover
In <em>Rooted,</em> acclaimed writer and activist, Brea Baker, embarks on a compelling exploration of the historic land theft and violent displacement faced by Black and Indigenous communities in the U.S., revealing how these injustices have directly contributed to today's racial wealth gaps, and advocates for equitable land ownership as a path towards national healing and justice.
#17
Months on List: 6
by Antonia Hylton
Legacy Lit (January 23, 2024), Hardcover
<em>Madness</em> is a riveting exploration of the fate of America's last segregated mental asylum, Crownsville Hospital, revealing a century-long history of racial and mental health struggles, intertwined with the author's personal family experiences, as she examines the implications for today's mental healthcare system.
#18
Months on List: 1
by Tara Roberts
National Geographic Society (January 28, 2025), Hardcover
A memoir detailing a woman's impactful journey in confronting the realities of the global slave trade and finding her sense of purpose.
#19
Months on List: 3
by Jor-el Caraballo
Adams Media (November 7, 2023), Hardcover
<em>Self-Care for Black Men</em> is a comprehensive guide offering practical strategies and tools for Black men to navigate societal challenges, nurture their mental health, and cultivate joy, providing an essential roadmap towards wellness and self-discovery in a world beset by racism and trauma.
#20
Months on List: 10
by Uche Blackstock
Viking (January 23, 2024), Hardcover
<em>Legacy</em> is the riveting journey of Dr. Uché Blackstock, a Black physician fighting against systemic healthcare inequities, threading a deeply personal memoir and influential calls to action through the intricate tapestry of American healthcare, racism, and her evolution from child to medical student, practitioner, and ultimately a powerful health equity advocate.

Sales Data Source: Circana BookScan. Represents U.S. print sales from thousands of retailers.

Methodology: Books are categorized and filtered for Black Authors by the African American Literature Book Club. This list is a sneak peek into the Black Book Accelerator initiative.