Tyler Merritt - I Take My Coffee Black: Reflections on Tupac, Musical Theater, Faith, and Being Black in America

Tyler Merritt had me laughing, crying, and learning throughout I Take My Coffee Black. His writing and humor are brilliant, but his authenticity shines through above all. We really are beautiful in the broken places, and Im better because he shared that beauty so transparently.

Jud Wilhite, senior pastor, Central Church, Las Vegas, Nevada, and author of Pursued

Ive never been schooled in such a charming way! Relevant, funny, poignant, and powerful, Tyler takes us on a deeply personal journey as he recounts his coming-of-age experiences and the devastating impact of Americas harsh realities. With delightful prose and meaningful intention, Tyler skillfully guides us toward our shared humanity yet doesnt pull any punches discussing the historic facts about systemic racism. His deft and accessible storytelling offers us fresh perspective, allowing us to see with our eyes and hearts wide open, like his, and we leave feeling inspired and knowing, without a doubt, that we are all kindred.

Moira Walley-Beckett, Emmy Awardwinning writer/executive producer, Breaking Bad, Anne with an E

Listen. I dont know what I expected when I picked up this book, but I know what I didnt expect. I didnt expect to laugh out loud multiple times, cry real tears, learn complete history lessons, and truly feel seen as a black person. If Im being honest, it was more than feeling seen, it was feeling explained to the point of others being able to see me. Tyler does this in the most charming and disarming way. I will give this book to everyone I know who truly wants to understand the depth and breadth of what it is to be black.

Melinda Doolittle, recording artist, actress, and author

Tyler Merritt invites us into his life with genuine, vulnerable humor that reveals deep truths. I Take My Coffee Black begs readers to consider the stereotypes and assumptions we all carry about one another and push against them for a higher chance at deep, lasting relationships with those who dont look like us or live like us. As a Black man, this book speaks to the inner self that society, stigma, and stereotypes often push into the dark. A must-read.

Albert Tate, lead pastor of Fellowship Church and author

I could not be more honored to be writing this endorsement. I am not only endorsing this book but also a man who has held a sacred and special place in my life over the last year and a half of knowing him. Tyler has used his life as a testimony to love others well and to encourage us to be more loving, kind, empathetic, and authentic humans. I Take My Coffee Black is a work that flows with truth, story, and conviction. Over the last few years, I have recognized just how uninformed I am. Tyler has been a voice of reason, truth, belief, and love to me and now we all get to hear from him in this book. If you are human, you should read this book. Take a seat and allow Tyler to speak into you like he has done to many. I am excited for you to read this book.

Benjamin Higgins, television personality, entrepreneur, and former Bachelor

To know someone is to love them, and Tyler Merritt reveals himself completely in this poignant and vulnerable memoir laced with Black history, the personal effects of systemic racism, show tunes, Jesus, and his brilliant sense of humor. The antidote to our nations current divide is understanding and the intimacy at which Tyler shares his life experience as a Black man in the US makes you understand. You have no other choice but to love him and this book.

Laura Bell Bundy, Broadway actress and singer

I Take My Coffee Black is equal parts endearing, eye-opening, and insightful. It makes me, as a white woman who has had a vastly different upbringing and experiences (I grew up in the suburbs of Minneapolis), thirsty to do better in my expansion and interactions with more people around meespecially those who I wouldnt normally pass walking down the street in said small-town Minnesota. Tyler has a way to grab ahold of the reader to push them to genuinely want to connect with others, all races, religions, ethnicities, socio-economic statuses encompassed, and to get to know them for who they are to their core. Because if everybody did this a little bit more, our countryand worldwould look like a much different place. Hopefully a more peaceful, accepting one. He incorporated the perfect combo of wit, realness, growth, and openness that I dont often have the privilege of receiving in many books. It was a real treat for me to spend my time reading through these pages. Maybe one day Ill be so lucky as to sit down face-to-face with Tyler, share a cup of joe, and dive deeper into all things life (of course, black for him and a splash of oat milk for me).

Rebecca Kufrin, television personality, The Bachelor and The Bachelorette

We are not monolithic.

This book is dedicated to the beautifully diverse people that we are and to the stories that have made us.