Exploring Identity Through Tupac, Musical Theater, Faith, and Being Black in America: A Reflection on Taking My Coffee Black

Amazon Customer: Tyler is a great storyteller while being incredibly generous in recalling memories from his life, family dynamics, and being Black in America to share with us all. An easy and entertaining read that will give you a look into someone else’s life for a large dose of empathy in hopes of growing closer in our humanity.

United States on Oct 14, 2023

Linda S Loomis: I read this within a week! I passed it on for family to read. Great author. It was funny and seriously true story. Must read.

United States on Oct 13, 2023

Vicky: You have to read it to appreciate Tyler’s words. From the beginning to the end it’s real, funny and heartfelt.

United States on Sep 24, 2023

L. Thacker: Tyler Merritt is dope.

I’m about sixty years old. I grew up in a small all-white rural farming town in northern Minnesota on the Canadian border. I have lived in Minnesota my whole life. Having lived in the Twin Cities for over forty years, I have, of course, interacted with people from most racial and ethnic backgrounds (and since the 1990s, I have worked as a lawyer for a very large global corporation where I connect with a broad array of people). Yet I am largely insulated from daily interaction with people from a large variety of demographic groups (ethnic, racial, and religious) in terms of my *personal life* — not by conscious choice but by the daily rhythm of my life: For years I have gotten up in the morning, gotten ready for work, driven to work, spent a long day at work, driven home (often late), eaten, relaxed, and gone to bed — and repeated that over and over again, week after week, month after month, year after year.

I first became aware of Tyler Merritt in mid-2020 with the re-release of his short video “Before You Call the Cops”. I was moved by his words. After “I Take My Coffee Black” was released in September, I bought a copy.

I...

United States on Nov 04, 2021

David Daniels: Earlier this year, I produced content for the Disney Animated Feature RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON. While doing this, I got to interview and get to know many of the consultants and filmmakers who worked on the movie that were of Southeast Asian Descent. A common topic they would all emotionally talk about was “being seen” and how this film helped them feel seen by putting a character that looked like them on screen and had elements of their cultures entwined throughout.

You are now probably saying, “What does a Disney fantasy movie rooted in Southeast Asian Culture have to do with I TAKE MY COFFEE BLACK?!?!?”

On the surface level… nothing… but when you dig down into it. Tyler Merritt’s book is the story of his quest to “be seen”… .Seen by his parents, seen as an artist, seen as a Christian, but most importantly, seen as a person…despite his dark black skin. Tyler takes you on a journey from his early childhood through now telling his stories and sharing his triumphs and failures in an honest yet humorous ways. You’ll find yourself not only with tears welled in your eyes but laughing out loud.

Who is Tyler Merritt and why should you care...

United States on Sep 20, 2021