I Take My Coffee Black Reflections on Tupac, Musical Theater, Faith, and Being Black in America ─ a Brief Overview

“A sad, happy, moving, troubling, inspirational, humorous and brutal account of the people and experiences that formed this exceptionally well-formed man... (Tyler Merritt) … subtly and kindly reminds us of how much we have in common and that assumptions are made by fools.”

“Stunning.”

FANTASTIC! You NEED to read this book!

If you know how to read or have ears you NEED this book in your life. It’s challenging, it’s beautiful, and it’s extremely well read (I could listen to him read anything). From the very minute when he decided to read it his own way he had my attention. His story written is something we can all learn from, and maybe it will encourage you to think twice when you see others just living.

-“The Irish people speak of thin places… When something touches a humans soul and he or she is gripped by Something More.” This book brings something more. His love, his faith, his humor and heart, his hurt, and his humanity are captured so well in these pages. And there are Hamilton references. Which if you know me you know I LOVED. Most of us know and believe that our stories, our testimonies are not just for us but are meant to be shared so others can see the Grace of God in our lives. If you’re willing, you will learn. This story is raw. It’s real and unreal and it’s amazing to see where it leads. Y’all go buy this book.

Reading I Take My Coffee Black was like taking a leisurely walk with a close friend filled with laughter, joy, tears, and real talk. I’m looking forward to a sequel from the author that continues the conversation.

Tyler’s story will open your eyes and your heart. He’s the friend we all wish to have and the one we all need to be. You will laugh and cry as you follow along with his life and come to see the world through his eyes and experiences. I promise you will not regret reading this book. I got the audiobook and got the extra pleasure of having Tyler read it to me. He does an amazing job! Seriously, get this book.❤️

Tyler Merritt is a national treasure.  His stories of the joys, pathos, and terrors of being a Black man in America will make you laugh, leave you in tears, and feed your mind and your soul.

Tyler is a gifted storyteller that masterfully threads the needle of pain and triumph. This is one man's story, but you soon see that it is connected to a great consciousness that connects through us all.

The skin we live in is the first thing anyone notices about us and Tyler tells the story of living in his with understanding and a truly warm heart. Reading about his life, in his skin, reminded me that however different our stories are, however different our skins are, Tyler is the friend we all need in our lives.

A whole bunch of love wrapped in a nice warm cup of coffee. Black, of course. A beautiful perspective of Tyler's bravery to face his truth and live in it as a black man in America.

Powerfully incisive and with the impact of a ton of bricks, Merritt has written a crazily amazing story about growing up, loving hard, and learning how to appreciate being black! Tyler encounters the world by walking straight into it with a sense of awe and 'what the hell?!' and reminds us that's probably how it should be.

Wonderful insight into what it is to be a black man in our world. His stories are educational, relatable, touching, thought-provoking, and will make you laugh so hard you might pee yourself a little bit.

Tyler takes us into life-all of its pratfalls, frustrations, and triumphs. I Take My Coffee Black is an entertaining and provocative read from one of our most important voices, at a time we need it most.