Black Genius: Essays on an American Legacy

by Tre Johnson

A powerful read redefining the meaning of genius while illuminating the ways in which Black Americans have found various ways to thrive despite insurmountable obstacles.

Black genius sits at the heart of the American story. In his probing essay collection, Black Genius, cultural critic Tre Johnson examines how Black American culture has, against all odds, been the lifeblood of American ingenuity. At times using his own personal and professional stories,  Johnson surveys Black cities, communities, and schools with an ever-watchful eye of what transpires around Black mobility.
 
With a passion for complex storytelling and pulling from both pop culture and American history, Johnson weaves past and present making his case for the genius of innovation. As he examined his findings, Johnson couldn’t help but wonder about the brilliance of the every day. Specifically, the creativity of the 90’s graffiti-style airbrush tee, his aunties packed weekend bus trips to Atlantic city, and the razor-tongued, socially-sharp, profanity-laced monologues of comedian Dick Gregory.
 
Again and again, he asks us to ponder—are these not obvious examples of genius?
 
Chatty yet profound, Black Genius subverts expectations from the very first page with a blend of reportage, historical data, and pop culture as Johnson dives into his own family history seeking big answers to complex questions. Johnson’s signature wit and curiosity turns history into an amusing sequence of events. 

Genres: Essays, Nonfiction, Race, History, Cultural, Audiobook

320 pages, Hardcover

Published July 29, 2025

About the author

Tre Johnson is an author and freelance writer known for his work on race, culture, and politics, with recent bylines in publications like The Washington Post, Rolling Stone, Vox, and The New York Times. He is the author of the critically acclaimed book, "Black Genius: Essays on an American Legacy," which explores the concepts of Black genius within American culture. Johnson is also a career educator who works in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Reviews

[Traci Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

An attempt to highlight the extraordinary genius of Black folks in ordinary settings from education to celebration and beyond. This is a formidable debut, and I think Johnson has a real gift for the conversational in his writing tone. I love the concept behind Black Genius, calling to the front the myriad unsung moments of Black genius, and thought some of the essays and examples really lean into that central thesis. There were other parts of the book where he covered well trod cultural territory or din’t fully lock into his main points, and those essays felt flat. More than anything though, this book made me excited for whatever Johnson does next.

[Troy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks again to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review. I'm usually a reader of fiction, and usually, that is further invested in horror fiction. Well, what about horror non-fiction? Some of the subjects discussed were eye-opening and horrific. I can't imagine having to be careful where I walked and how I presented myself. Many interesting subjects were discussed. Wouldn't it be refreshing if some of these subjects were always in our past and not in our present or future as a nation? Highly recommended.

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed reading Tre's essays in the past, so I was pumped when he announced his first book! Black Genius is an excellent read. Tre puts so much of himself into the book in a way that makes the writing stick with you. It feels extremely genuine throughout. Such an amazing writer. I learned a lot, I felt a lot, I thought a lot. And the next time I see someone rapping out loud to themself on the sidewalk, I'll see them in an entirely different light.

[Lindsi K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

These essays made me think. They were deeply impactful and I appreciated Johnson’s perspective on each topic. I absolutely loved the essay on celebration. The last couple of essays have left me with questions and things to consider. I enjoyed Johnson’s writing style and blend of personal experience and history.

[Andre(Read-A-Lot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thinking…………

[Kelly Fitzpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating concept and it was so well executed. The author shares the struggles/obstacles for Black People living in the US and the demonstrates the unbelievable resilience and genius in how Black Americans have barreled through them. The book was both crushing (including the personal narratives he wrote about himself and his family) and celebratory and provided new ways to think about the way we even define genius. Absolutely recommend.

[Steve McFarland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting to know Tre through education circles in Philly, and then as a friend who I’ve vent my frustrations with schools and politics to in DMs I’ve long forgotten.

His essay collection is what happens when an appreciation of pop culture and its politics intersect. The essay on education reminded me of my own rejection of “our schools (and the “white liberals” who occupy them) will save us” to the discussion of Black Death and the internet age confirmed some of own thoughts on rejecting the consistent sharing of my real life on social media.

Can’t wait for my next convo with Tre so I can talk to him about that education chapter, and the path to making peace with Black Genius even when the spaces you occupy say that you’re not.

“Yeah, go and up your rank
Know you a god
even when they say you ain’t”

[Meghan Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tre Johnson redefines Black genius as the ways people learn to thrive in the face of systemic discrimination. One part that really stuck with me is the idea of celebration as a form of resistance. It’s always a gift to gain new ways of seeing the world, and Johnson’s personal stories made the experience engaging and memorable. Thanks for the giveaway!

[Nathan Snowden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly an amazing book from start to finish. A reminder to preserve black genius, culture, and art. I learned so much about Black history from reading his book and Tre expressed so many things that many of us experience on a dally basis but may not be able to say out loud.

[Thad Van Haitsma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please keep writing and writing and writing!!!!!!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful writing weaving together brilliant insight.

[Cindy Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heartfelt - this author has seen and writes about the darker side of humans. His hope is why I stay grounded in my faith - also want the world to be a better place for everyone.

[BeenStalk · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oof

[Kelsey Baguinat · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐

[Danielle Pilon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and insightful. Definitely recommend.

[Jack Ebby · Rating 5 out of 5]

One word review: beautiful.
Longer review:

This book is not an examination of genius; it is a collection of essays on how being black in America is to have one’s creativity, ingenuity, freedom of expression, and one’s paths to formal/informal education and development at best, limited, and at worst, eliminated. At times gut wrenching, at times laugh out loud funny, at times infuriating, and exceptionally well-written.

Tre is a genius in his own right; his gift, in my opinion, is his two-part ability to A) understand and simplify tangible and intangible elements of culture and cultural phenomena with precision, metaphor and poignancy, and B) further distill the way those forces contribute to the experience of being black in America with a mix of pathos and exposition.

This book is Tre’s tour de force in tapping into that ability; doing what he’s been asked to do many times since 2020 for media outlets or publications and help us understand not just what it means, but how it feels to be black in America.

Here’s to Tre; to his wonderful celebration of black ingenuity amidst a world/country that constantly fights against it, and here’s to the better world he imagines for all of us. I believe that with each person who reads this, we inch closer to realizing that dream.

[bookcookery]

This read more like a disjointed collection of essays than a unified work, lacking a consistent format or overarching theme. While the introduction celebrates the importance of Black genius, the text would have benefited from a clearer definition or framework to guide the reader’s understanding beyond a general understanding of its ubiquity. The essays range widely in style from broad overviews of cultural trends to deeply personal narratives and family histories, but they don’t cohere around a shared purpose or voice.

The collection is at its strongest when Johnson grounds his analysis in personal experience, particularly in his reflections on Teach for America, the Camden City School District, and his lifelong enthusiasm for comics. These moments feel specific, insightful, and engaging.

Another round of editing could have helped establish a stronger throughline and a more cohesive structure. As it stands, the book reads like a collection of previously written pieces, loosely framed by an introductory note and a conclusion that unexpectedly pivots to the idea of communal living, an idea that, while intriguing, feels underdeveloped given the rest of the book.

Thanks to Dutton and Goodreads for providing a copy.