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

810+ 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 46 of 55

Two peas in a pod

Submitted to Contest #79

“The next week, we walked to school together thick as thieves, feeling immortal." I woke up that morning, tired as a dog in heat. I asked my mom if I could stay home, feigning some illness. I barely had any friends with me being new, if you call going to a school for six going on seven months new, and I didn’t feel like feeling alone in a sea of people like I usually do.  She saw right through me and sent me to school anyway. Something told me I shouldn't have gone that day. To this day it is the best, and worst, decision I have eve...

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The journal of a modern black girl - Based on true stories.

Submitted to Contest #79

July 3rd - Yesterday was worse than usual and now I will have to wear a long-sleeved shirt tomorrow despite the 95’ degree Louisiana weather. It was my own fault, I should have just gone without dinner as usual. Dad had just gotten home. He was drunk (as usual) and I got in the way, he loves me. I am sure of it, he just gets a little stressed and it causes confusion. Yes, that is it, he is just confused, only 2 more years and I will be off to college. In the meantime, I will stay cuddled in bed with my baby sister Mary. July 4th - I am s...

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Brothers in arms

Submitted to Contest #79

The black hearse, carrying a large wooden casket, abruptly stopped at the narrow side street, causing three other cars following it to brake hard and halt bumper to bumper.Three young men, formally dressed in black suits, quickly got off the front car and walked toward the hearse to help its driver remove the casket. Soon an older woman stepped out, followed by eight more individuals from two other cars. They were all African American, dressed in black, and looked sad. It was a small private funeral procession.While the casket was being carr...

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Fragmented

Submitted to Contest #79

Mom–the woman in the hospital bed finished her stories. Every part of me wished that they were fictional. But, it seemed that every fictional story was grounded in some truth. “Elijah,” the woman began, “you have to understand that I did it for you, to protect you. I love you, Elijah.” I gained back a little of my voice. “No,” I whispered. The woman’s face broke at that word. “No, you-you’re lying. But-but—” A sob broke my words. The woman shook her head. Tears appeared in her eyes. “You killed them?” I asked. Nothing was making sense. She...

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Dear Mama

Submitted to Contest #79

Calliope brushed her hand over the personalized invite and exhaled a heavy breath. Her mother’s name, Patricia Matthews, was scrawled across the top in neat, cursive writing. It was lettering she’d hired a calligrapher to create for her and Brandon’s wedding ceremony. The allure of it was simple but elegant, much like Calliope. But as she thought about the intended recipient, she felt anything but elegant.            Her mind and her heart raced while she contemplated putting the invitat...

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Yagga

Submitted to Contest #79

My heart flutters as I finish sliding my size 7 foot into my new black, platform Givenchy heel. Nobody back home has anything like this. I bet they'd be jealous. I decided to pair it with the Baum und Pferdgarten, floral print dress I'd just received as gift from my father. It's black, silk cloth brushed against my skin coolly and sweetly. The airy garment stopped mid-thigh and it's tiny white and baby pink accents complimented my sunkissed, mocha colored skin nicely.He has good taste. I blushed at the thought.I eyed my wild, shoulder length...

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Knit, Tink

Submitted to Contest #78

The Prince’s Ball is a dreadfully boring affair. It’s too bad that I am the only one in the whole kingdom that can’t get out of it. “Calloway, dear. Please put on a smile, my love,” My mother, Queen Hazel Simone of Sairence said. To my father, King Ellington, she said, “You would think we were sending him to the gallows.” We gathered next to Ambrose who would be announcing our arrival  “Happy faces,” she warned. He blew obnoxiously into his trumpet. Once a hush fell on the gathered guests, Ambrose boomed, “His Majesty King Ellington, H...

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Belasco X

Submitted to Contest #78

A timid fire An aloof person, distant from anything besides his work. Logical and overly practical on the surface, but behind it all artistically inclined. He had dreams of being an architect at General motors, the most desired job in the world at the time it seemed. His name was Todd, Todd Xavier. School was odd, and separated. While most kids saw black and white, ate lollipops and drunk from coke bottles, Todd often read books, and disregarded the reality in front of him. Todd hated the staple brown corduroy pants the grownups wore, and sa...

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The Breakthrough

Submitted to Contest #78

"Griff, you got talent, am not gonna lie to you. But this....I can't market this." said Vince still trying to find the right words that can communicate both rejection and encouragement. "I mean you are good, really good, but come one, no one listens to this anymore." he continued "Look Vince, you are my man. I really need this bro." begged Griff. "I know man, but Jazz? This is the 21st century man. No one is gonna want to listen to this. Technology has changed music my friend, all you need is some piece of equipment not that sax you keep car...

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Apex

Submitted to Contest #78

I’ve never longed for most companionship, people annoyed me. Was it intentional? More than likely. When I say intentional, I don’t mean those that have tried to befriend me or women that have found me attractive enough to date. I am particularly speaking of myself. Navigating the world was quite difficult for me, in 2019 the whole nuance of friendships, social media was a headache.  I could personally go on and on rolling into a monologue of how detrimental social media has been to human existence and how society has also benefited f...

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Finding Sophie

Submitted to Contest #78

“You should be more concerned,” Rebecca Kuti began with a loud yell.  Her husband who was only a few metres from her looked up at her strangely, wondering if she was talking about the hero who died in the movie playing on TV but they weren’t watching. They had far more important issues to deal with and the one thing, which topped the list, was the unusual pounding sound coming from their daughter’s workspace. “About what?” he asked through clenched teeth, trying to control his anger. “The noise!”  “It’s probably just Sophie...

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The Parts of Her That Are Magic

Submitted to Contest #78

Her EyesCatherine points to a small plant growing through a crack in the concrete. It has a long, thin stem, bending slightly towards the sun. Catherine would call it wispy, or fragile, but in reality, it’s only flimsy, and I doubt it will survive for longer than a week. Her fingers stretch towards it as I pull her away by the other hand.  “Delilah,” she says. Her voice flits through the air. “It means delicate.”“You’ve been saving that name, haven’t you?”“Yes,” she says, sounding breathless. I look down at the flower. With it...

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The Antique Pleasure

Submitted to Contest #78

THE ANTIQUE PLEASURE Now there are many ways of revoking the inert nature that the young men of my village have indulged themselves in. This was the surest way of ensuring the community remained rooted and transfixed in the field of Hard work, integrity and totally neutralize torpid characters among the young generation. The group has gathered and now it is time to leave for the dangers of the adventurous livelihood. The protocols are not encrypted in the form of a manuscript but due to the acute nature of zero tolerance to indolence, people...

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Making Lava Beads

Submitted to Contest #78

Early am mornings I get up exercise and light my candles to pray.After my coffee I pull out my crafting kits of beads.Just so happens my cell ring. "Hello"I responded." Hi girl what are you doing"?My friend asked. "Girl I'm getting ready to make lava bracelets"I replied." Oh ok sounds fine and complicated "she said." No it's not you should try it"I said. "It's so easy and relaxing and you choose your own designs"." Oh wow I never looked at it that way"she said. "I tell you what we can meet up and I can teach you". "You can even make a profit...

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The Inevitability of Destiny

Submitted to Contest #77

I narrowed my eyes at my office’s window. Is that a blizzard outside or have I finally lost it? I crossed to the window and sure enough, it was a snowstorm raging outside. A storm that, to my knowledge, had started suddenly and was not in the forecast.  Is this Chione’s handiwork? I chuckled wryly and then laughed out loud.  When I was little, my dad would say that anytime a storm came out of nowhere, a god or goddess was pissed about something. With a sudden storm like this, it could only be because of Chione, the goddess of snow....

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RBE | Illustrated Short Stories | 2024-06

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