Books By and About Black Business Owners and Creators

Part-manifesto, part-memoir, from the revolutionary editor who infused social consciousness into the pages of Teen Vogue, an exploration of what it means to come into your own — on your own terms. As a young boss and often the only Black woman in the room, she’s had enough of the world telling her — and all women — they’re not enough. As she learns to rely on herself by looking both inward and upward, we’re ultimately reminded that we’re more than enough.

The acclaimed author of The Other Wes Moore and governor of Maryland continues his inspirational quest for a meaningful life and shares the powerful lessons — about self-discovery, service, and risk-taking — that led him to a new definition of success for our times. An intimate narrative about finding meaning in a volatile age, The Work will inspire readers to see how we can each find our own path to purpose and help create a better world.

Decoded is a book like no other: A collection of lyrics and their meanings that together tell the story of a culture, an art form, a moment in history, and one of the most provocative and successful artists of our time. This exploration of Jay-Z’s journey from the Marcy projects to media mogul is insightful and riveting.

A revolutionary playbook for building generational wealth, no matter where you grew up — from the founders of the explosively popular podcast and financial literacy platform Earn Your Leisure. This book is full of tips, insights, and stories about real people, just like you, who have used the tools of wealth building to overcome barriers and build the life they want. You deserve to be rich. This is the playbook to make it happen.

A galvanizing playbook for success from Steven Bartlett, one of the world’s most exciting entrepreneurs and the host of the #1 podcast The Diary of a CEO. These fundamental laws of business and life underpinned his meteoric rise, and will fuel yours too, whether you want to build something great or become someone great. The laws are rooted in psychology and behavioral science, in Bartlett’s own experiences, and those of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, entertainers, artists, writers, and athletes, who he’s interviewed on his podcast. These laws are the secret sauce to success.

What if the path to fulfillment isn’t about doing more but redefining what matters most? Morgan DeBaun, the visionary founder and CEO of Blavity Inc., is here to help you become the CEO of your life and revolutionize your approach to success. This is a straight-talking resource you’ll want to return to, at any stage, to build a life that feels truly yours — one that balances financial achievement with deep personal fulfillment. DeBaun proves that true success is rooted in authenticity, purpose, and the courage to chart your own course.

Phoebe Robinson is a New York Times bestselling author, comedian, actress, and producer. In this essay collection, she shares stories that will make you laugh, but also plenty that will hit you in the heart and inspire a little bit of rage, and maybe a lot of action. By turns perceptive, hilarious, and heartfelt, Please Don’t Sit on My Bed in Your Outside Clothes is not only a brilliant look at our current cultural moment, it’s also a collection that will stay with readers for years to come.

Already a rising star in fashion, Aurora James founded the Fifteen Percent Pledge, which challenges retailers to commit 15% of their shelf space and spending power to Black businesses and is one of the fastest-growing social justice nonprofits. To date, more than two dozen of the world’s most recognized retailers have taken the pledge, redirecting $10 billion in annual revenue to Black and BIPOC brands. Empowering and full of heart, Wildflower is the riveting story of how Aurora James made an indelible mark on the American economic system, and a rallying cry for those eager to make change.

Visionary rapper of the groundbreaking “The Humpty Dance,” producer of Tupac Shakur’s iconic “I Get Around,” and driving force of legendary hip-hop group Digital Underground, Shock G shares his story in Keep It Beautiful. This fully illustrated memoir by Gregory “Shock G” Jacobs, as told to Alexis Wolfe Mbassa, captures the eternal vibrance of his style — playful, soulful, colorful, and profound.

Trevor Noah’s unlikely path from apartheid South Africa to the desk of The Daily Show began with a criminal act: His birth. Trevor was born to a white father and a Black mother at a time when such a union was punishable by five years in prison. Born a Crime is the story of a mischievous young boy who grows into a restless young man as he struggles to find himself in a world where he was never supposed to exist. His stories weave together to form a moving and searingly funny portrait of a boy making his way through a damaged world in a dangerous time, armed only with a keen sense of humor and a mother’s unconventional, unconditional love.

Kimberly Drew and Jenna Wortham have brought together this collection of work — images, photos, essays, memes, dialogues, recipes, tweets, poetry, and more — to tell the story of the radical, imaginative, provocative, and gorgeous world that Black creators are bringing forth today.

A groundbreaking, inspiring, and holistic new approach to leadership from one of the top women C-suite executives in the nation. As you learn to focus on self-care and total well-being, navigate the highs and lows of life and career, and shape a legacy that leaves people and things better off than you found them, you’ll discover that leading with meaning — at any age — is the key to a well-lived life.

A 10-step plan for finding peace, safety, and harmony with your money — no matter how big or small your goals and no matter how rocky the market might be — by the inspiring and savvy “Budgetnista.” An invaluable guide to cultivating good financial habits and making your money work for you, Get Good with Money will help you build a solid foundation for your life (and legacy) that’s rich in every way.

In Bee Fearless, part memoir, part business guide, Mikaila — the 15-year-old lemonade entrepreneur — shares her personal journey and special brand of mindful entrepreneurship and offers helpful tips and guidance for young readers interested in pursuing their own ventures, instilling in them the bee-lief that they can bee fearless and achieve their dreams too.

The billion-dollar Hollywood producer provides a master mentorship by sharing the secrets to success honed from working with the biggest stars in the world. As Kevin Hart says of working with Will Packer: “I became a student and learned from the way he was moving. The man helped me grow and gave me the knowledge.” It’s time for you to start producing your own blockbuster life — by first believing there is no one more worthy of it than you.

A story about the trials and triumphs of a Black chef from Queens, New York, and a White media entrepreneur from Staten Island who built a relationship and a restaurant in the Deep South, hoping to bridge biases and get people talking about race, gender, class, and culture.

The grandson of slaves, born into poverty in 1892 in the Deep South, A. G. Gaston died more than a century later with a fortune worth well over $130 million and a business empire spanning communications, real estate, and insurance. Gaston was, by any measure, a heroic figure whose wealth and influence bore comparison to J.P. Morgan and Andrew Carnegie. Here, for the first time, is the story of the life of this extraordinary pioneer, told by his niece and grandniece, the award-winning television journalist Carol Jenkins and her daughter Elizabeth Gardner Hines.

An empowering, step-by-step guide that will equip readers with the essential tools and insights to build successful boutique farm brands. Merging agricultural know-how with entrepreneurial expertise, cultural wisdom, and a unique focus on brand identity, this book offers a clear roadmap for establishing and scaling boutique farming enterprises that are economically viable and culturally impactful.