The Black Yearbook [Portraits and Stories]

By: Adraint Khadafhi Bereal, Kiese Laymon - introduction

Narrated by: Full Cast

A gripping exploration of the joys, hardships, and truths of Black students through intimate, honest dialogues and stunning photography, author of Heavy

“A radical, reverential, and restorative document of community.”—Rebecca Bengal, author of Strange Hours: Photography, Memory, and the Lives of Artists

When photographer Adraint Bereal graduated from the University of Texas, he self-published an impressive volume of portraits, personal statements, and interviews that explored UT's campus culture and offered an intimate look at the lives of Black students matriculating within a majority white space. Bereal's work was inspired by his first photo exhibition at the George Washington Carver Museum in Austin, entitled 1.7, that unearthed the experiences of the 925 Black men that made up just 1.7% of UT's total 52,000 student body.

Now Bereal expands the scope of his original project and visits colleges nationwide, from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to predominantly white institutions to trade schools and more. Rather than dwelling on the monolith of trauma often associated with Black narratives, Bereal is dedicated to using honest dialogue to share stories of true joy and triumph amidst the hardships, prejudices, and internal struggles. Using an exciting and eclectic design approach to accompany the portraits and stories, each individual profile effectively conveys the interviewee's unique voice, tone, and background.

The Black Yearbook reframes society's stereotypical perception of higher education by representing and celebrating the wide range of Black experiences on campuses.


* This audiobook edition includes a downloadable PDF that contains selected photographs taken by the author from the book.

Critic reviews

“The Black Yearbook is a heart-healing, mind-blowing work of art. It is a torch that will light the way to a world that’s worthy of the brilliant, beautiful young Black people in Bereal’s generation and beyond. There is no book quite like The Black Yearbook, and there is no time more perfect for its arrival.”—Casey Gerald, author of There Will Be No Miracles Here

“Adraint Bereal constructs a lasting document that pulsates connection, curiosity, reflection, and heart. Informed by the past, he sets the stage for today’s voices, amplifying them for the generations ahead. With this intimate snapshot of Black college campus life, Adraint charts a collective path for progress.”—Eve Lyons, photo editor, the New York Times