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Discover weekly, the best short stories

Looking for a steady supply of african american short stories? Every week thousands of writers submit stories to our writing contest.

150+ African american Short Stories to read

Submitted by writers on Reedsy Prompts to our weekly writing contest. Whether you want to read about African American author's hopes and resilience or their unique struggles, you'll find what you're looking for here.

African american Short Stories – Page 10 of 10

Skipping Stones, Skipping Dreams

Submitted to Contest #271

Skipping Stones, Skipping DreamsBy Daron Thompson Lisa McKenna never skipped fast enough to escape the noise—the shouting, the sirens, the sound of her world crumbling around her. Each time the skipping rope slapped against the cracked pavement, she felt a brief flicker of peace, but it was fleeting. As the sun barely peeked over the horizon that morning, Lisa stood outside her apartment in the empty lot. The streets were quiet now, eerily so, but Lisa knew the silence well. It was the kind of silence that settled before something bad happen...

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Threads of Destiny

Submitted to Contest #271

Threads of Destiny    The blazing sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue across the sprawling plantation fields of Virginia, not yet touched by the civil war raging around them. Dust motes danced in the warm summer light, settling over rows of unpicked cotton that swayed gently in the breeze. Amelia Harrington, the youngest daughter of Silas Harrington, the owner of the sprawling plantation, strolled along the path that gently curved around the edge of the fields. The only thing on her mind were thoughts of the man...

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Our history isn't written in our DNA

Submitted to Contest #271

 They were on opposite sides of the barricade, but it was like looking into a mirror - except for the color of their skin. The angry black man had been shouting obscenities as John approached and stopped mid-insult. John could see by the look on the man’s face he saw the resemblance too.   They both took a moment to examine one another. Slim, elegant eyebrows curved graciously over dark brown eyes. So dark they were practically black. A wide eggplant-shaped nose hovered over lascivious lips that women seemed to find attra...

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Edge of the Bay

Submitted to Contest #271

Edge of the Bay       It was a beautiful San Francisco day. Created for boat, sail and sea. The breeze was starting to show a potential for anything. I smiled at pulling the main and mizzen sail covers back and folding them. Three seagulls were cawing in disagreement about something while circling the marina.  The cumulous moved slowly above the distant hills across the Bay making an undulating shadow play over brown and green mounds. The Bay was crisp with wavelets and green with invitation to a go...

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Karma's Kitchen

Submitted to Contest #270

Karma’s Kitchen was buzzing with life, an upscale hotspot that blended Southern soul food with a Caribbean twist. Warm amber lights bathed the polished tables, and the low hum of conversation filled the air, punctuated by the occasional burst of laughter. The walls were adorned with eclectic art and historical jazz musicians that captured the essence of the South and the islands. The sweet smoky aroma of jerk chicken, collard greens, and fried plantains lingered in the air, tempting every guest who walked through the door.  This wasn’t ...

11 likes 5 comments 5
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The Wizard Finds Love

Submitted to Contest #270

The story is about racial intolerance. In particular, the death of a man. Because of the colour of his skin, his occupation, and the ignorance of the cowardly men who show their true colours with their hatred. They hid their cowardice and dressed in white robes and hoods to carry out their actions of hatred. It is also about the abuse of power by those elected into government office, mayor, and police since they were instrumental in turning a blind eye to the attacks perpetrated by the KKK.**Please read to the very end.Troy Sampson, a negro ...

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A Sweet, Cold Finish

Submitted to Contest #270

It was over dessert—smoked brown butter ice cream accompanied by a delicious cornmeal pie—that I had decided to go through with my plan. It began, much as I presume this dish once had, as a concept I couldn’t quite wrap my head around. The idea formed as haphazardly as a child’s drawing. A stick-figure and delusional concept arrived in my brain, unwarranted, but curiosity kept the mind experimenting. The plan developed as thoughtfully as the flavors of this ice cream. I took a bite. There was a warmth to it. The spoon dipped into a glass jar...

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Best Served Cold

Submitted to Contest #270

It was an ordinary evening in the sticky, hot, Louisiana summer. The mosquitos came in swarms and the crops were ready for harvesting. “The boys and Hector must be busy reaping the corn.” I thought. I, as the only female, had to cook the meals and stay in the kitchen most of the time. Sweat poured down my face as I slaved over my masters dinner. Pork chops fresh from this morning. Crisp, cool, vegetables picked earlier today. And finally lamb stew with potatoes and onions. It was almost done. The meat was finished. I was just chopping vegeta...

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Sacred Exit, Silent Chains

Submitted to Contest #268

The four walls were closing in — of the church that is. Everyone she had ever spoken with had been hurt there by abusive leadership; her own cousin was kicked out of the church. Even the concept of that was disheartening for her — how could someone be kicked out of the place that God desired to draw sinners closer to? She was disgusted; at her husband for even asking her to come back, but even more-so at herself for agreeing to it. Jamie had left this specific church around 2018; although she had found Jesus there, she had grown tired of the...

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Death Changed Everything for Bill Brown

Submitted to Contest #269

[Story deals with issues of death. Death of a child] They were a close-knit community living on the shores of Lake Erie. With 2500 residents, it was reasonable to assume that everyone knew everyone who lived nearby or that someone else knew someone who lived nearby.  It was like a never-ending plague. Every day, everyone followed the same routine. This town is the last place on the planet where time stood still. There was no death, no new life, and the city's timeless state remained. Stuck. That's what they were. There was no way to mov...

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Forgiven

Submitted to Contest #268

Sasha sat on the park bench alone. It was early morning, and the brisk air brought a chill to her soul. She couldn’t believe that she was here, sitting on the park bench, cold, alone and penniless. It didn’t seem real. She felt like she was living someone else’s life. “Wow, you have a beautiful voice. Listening to you sing, I felt I could walk right into heaven.” The gentleman said.Sasha dropped her head and pushed her hair behind her ears. “Thank you.” She said shyly.“Oh, please don’t drop your head. Not only do you have a lovely voice, but...

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I Want to Be a Baddie

Submitted to Contest #267

Note: This story contains elements of sexuality and strong language. I made some of the character speak as stereotypes to fit the message. It's also very long, and I Just wanted to let the readers know, beforeheand. There are no years in your life quite as memorable as your youth. When you are young, you can be fun, you can be stupid, you don’t have to do the things you don’t want to do. Every preceding year, from four years old to 18 years old, you are handed a platter of people to know, people to love in life, before idling 60 hours of ...

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A Rocky Path

Submitted to Contest #267

“Man, that was a good session today,” Rodger said to his friend Jeremy. “Good for who?” Jeremy retorted, “I had to pull out my flames just to get you to back off.” ‘I call B.S,” Rodger interjected “you know I can’t use my element yet.”“I know that’s why I did it,” joked Jeremy. Rodger glared, “Just wait until I unlock my element of earth and I’m gonna rock your shit…. Pun fully intended.”“Yeah, whatever, even if you do unlock your element, you couldn’t beat me even at full strength,” Jeremy stated a little coldly and went over to Rodger and ...

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Fireflies

Submitted to Contest #267

[Contains themes relating to the treatment of slaves in Southern US, around 1830, but no actual violence.] You are not supposed to listen at doors. If I am caught, he'd have the skin off my back. But how can I resist?  Late September, Georgia.  Outside, the Estate was waking up from the hottest, most humid months of the year. What appeared to be vast flocks of fluffy white birds overwhelmed the cotton plantations. Field Slaves who'd been out with their picking bags since dawn toiled in the sun while the Overseers on their ho...

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Twin flame

Submitted to Contest #267

Carla was super positive about herself, and super confident about the way she intended to meet her future goals. She was so grateful for the breakthrough she had received from god; the computer software job that she had worked so hard for had finally accepted her as an intern, which meant working her butt off each day to pass the first probationary period, Carla muttered to her nervous self.The business was mainly large and small offices, located on the uptown scale of the city, where the high Rollers happened to live and breathe, so what pr...

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RBE | Illustrated Short Stories | 2024-06

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