History Main / BlackAndNerdy

* Max Lewicki in ''Series/{{Perception}}'' is a graduate student in Neuroscience and not only works as a teaching assistant to his brilliant professor boss, but also is in charge of figuring out ways to keep said boss grounded and in control of his schizophrenia. Max is also a cultural nerd who is sometimes seen indulging in Star Wars themed pastimes (including wielding a light saber in an unidentified game where he claims to "whipping some Jedi ass" and also attending a scifi convention dressed as Lando Calrissian).

* One of the black characters in ''Series/TheOrville'', John [=LaMarr=], is initially the navigator of the exploratory space vessel USS Orville and comes off as laid-back and non-intellectual. Later, one of his superior officers discovers that [=LaMarr=] had scored extremely well in aptitude tests. [=LaMarr=] says that he learned to hide his intelligence while growing up so as to fit in with his peers. Because of his new-found abilities, [=LaMarr=] is appointed as the Orville's chief engineer.

* One of the black characters in ''Series/TheOrville'', John LaMarr, is initially the navigator of the exploratory space vessel USS Orville and comes off as laid-back and non-intellectual. Later, one of his superior officers discovers that LaMarr had scored extremely well in aptitude tests. LaMarr says that he learned to hide his intelligence while growing up so as to fit in with his peers. Because of his new-found abilities, LaMarr is appointed as the Orville's chief engineer.

Often the Black Nerd is simply an expert in a nerdy field, such as computers, and doesn't really possess many negative characteristics commonly found in nerds of other races. This variant of the Black Nerd may become a case of FlawlessToken if they have an overly high level of overall competence resulting from their intelligence, [[OnceAcceptableTargets without flaws to counterbalance]]. There are also quite a few people that have a thing for geeky Black guys/girls, mostly due to them not being as prominent. A popular type of TokenBlackFriend. See also AsianAndNerdy.

* Jason Rusch, the second ComicBook/{{Firestorm|DCComics}}. He was not particularly brilliant in the original continuity, but the Comicbook/{{New 52}} reboot made him a science whizz so that he could be the "brains" of Firestorm (essentially filling the role held by Professor Stein in the original series).

* ''FanFic/TotalDramaLegacy'' has Serena, a Black OccidentalOtaku. There's also Storm, who is Black and is one of the most intelligent contestants on the show.

* Ford Prefect as played by Mos Def in the film version of ''Film/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy''. This, however, may be the result of the film, being produced by Creator/{{Disney}}, having downplayed (but didn't completely eliminate) aspects of Ford's character such as habitual drunkenness and womanizing.

** Similarly, Malcolm Barrett's character Phil in ''Series/{{BetterOffTed}}'' and pretty much anything he's in is like that
** Creator/PhilLaMarr made a monologue in ''Series/{{MadTV}}'' about how he was often cast in this trope as opposed to castmate Orlando Jones who came off as cooler

* James Parnell of ''Videogame/{{Evolve}}'' happens to own a fairly large collection of comic books and is mentioned to be expanding it. He's also eight feet tall, ex-military, ex-mercenary, owns an armor plated combat suit and fights multi-story tall monsters for a living.

* ''VideoGame/TheWalkingDead'': PlayerCharacter Lee Everett used to work as a history professor before the ZombieApocalypse. When his group meets Christa, another survivor, she can say that her boyfriend, Omid, decided to go on a cross-country tour of Civil War monuments, and asks, exasperated, "Who, other than old, white guys, would find this interesting". Lee will excitedly raise his hand.

* Dr. Richard Tygan in ''Videogame/{{XCOM2}}'' is a biochemist and XCOM's head of research. He is described as one of the brightest minds on Earth.

* Morgan in ''WebComic/NerfNow'', originally a female Demoman of ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2''. She's the cast member with the clearest preference for classic, pretentious, and/or just plain brutally difficult games, the most disdainful of fanservice, and generally goes for the most complicated strategy in any game. On the [[http://www.nerfnow.com/comic/478 rare occasions]] the AuthorAvatar appears based on Jo's actual appearance instead of the usual "purple tentacle," he also counts.

* Jacob of ''WebComic/{{Shortpacked}}''. As almost everyone in the cast is also a nerd, the main contrast is that he's a 90s kid who makes Ethan and Amber (who grew up with Transformers and the Ninja Turtles) feel old.
* Brandi of ''Webcomic/WapsiSquare'' is a female example. While her intellect [[DitzyGenius isn't always apparent,]] she's still a huge fan of Franchise/StarTrek and other such shows.

* ComicBook/TheFalcon in ''WesternAnimation/AvengersAssemble''. In the show, he even designed his own wings/flight suit (as opposed to the comics, where they were built by the Comicbook/BlackPanther).

* Cyborg in the animated ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' series. Unlike the other interpretations of Cyborg over DC history, this version learned robotics and rebuilt himself. Also a GeniusBruiser.

* Dr. Diggins from ''VideoGame/FossilFighters''. Brilliant scientist, able to understand alien technology. [[EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs Lover of dinosaurs.]] Dorky enough to wear shorts and a Hawaiian shirt beneath his lab coat.

* Kato Ababio in ''VideoGame/GrowingUp'' is a Black nerd who spends most of his school time studying to become a doctor and his free time playing [=MMORPGs=]. He struggles with balancing the two and is socially awkward in real-life dating.

Compare TheWhitestBlackGuy [[note]]however, ValuesDissonance now tends to look unfavorably on those who equate higher education/intelligence with Whiteness, especially in an era of prominent figures such as Barack Obama[[/note]], which often overlaps. Contrast PrettyFlyForAWhiteGuy.

* In ''Literature/ProjectHailMary'', an African-American scientist named Martin [=DuBois=] is set to be the science officer of a spaceship mission to [[spoiler: save earth from a hostile alien lifeform]]. He has doctorates in physics, chemistry and biology and is described as extremely rational and meticulous, e.g. he writes a detailed, multi-page memo on how he wants to die (nitrogen asphyxiation), given that the spaceship cannot return to earth. However, [[spoiler: [=DuBois=] later dies in an explosion after a scientific experiment goes awry and the narrator of the book takes his place on the mission]]. [=DuBois=], with his extraordinary, multipronged scientific expertise, is possibly a parody of the black and nerdy (counter)trope.

* In ''Series/{{Continuum}}'', Lucas Ingram is the Liber8 group's science and tech expert. As a zealous political terrorist, however, he doesn't actually have any nerdy mannerisms.

** Phil LaMarr made a monologue in ''Series/{{MadTV}}'' about how he was often cast in this trope as opposed to castmate Orlando Jones who came off as cooler

* Donald Anderson in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'' and Sigint in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater'' ([[spoiler:who are actually the same character]]), They're not exactly as nerdy as Otacon or other scientist characters, but they're not exactly skilled soldiers either.

* Many [=YouTubers=] have literally made successful careers being Black and Nerdy. Examples include: [[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBJycsmduvYEL83R_U4JriQ Marques Brownlee]], [[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMgCvJ3_QahXgvwj6LjOd-w Soldier Knows Best]], [[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnsNpWwCKSrTXOu-9wfVrpw Pelvic Gaming]] and many others. If that wasn't enough, there's also the [=YouTuber=] [[https://www.youtube.com/user/BlackNerdComedy/ Black Nerd Comedy]], who's LITERALLY named Black Nerd on [=YouTube=]. Basically, he's the literal embodiment of this trope.

A {{nerd}} [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin who is Black.]]

Often the Black Nerd is simply an expert in a nerdy field, such as computers, and doesn't really possess many negative characteristics commonly found in nerds of other races. This variant of the Black Nerd may become a case of FlawlessToken if they have an overly high level of overall competence resulting from their intelligence, [[OnceAcceptableTargets without flaws to counterbalance]]. There are also quite a few people that have a thing for geeky Black guys/girls, mostly due to them not being as prominent. A popular type of TokenBlackFriend. See also AsianAndNerdy and just plain {{Nerd}}.

* TropeCodifier Steve Urkel in ''Series/FamilyMatters'' is an ExtravertedNerd who has a stereotypically {{Nerd}}y aesthetic complete with NerdGlasses who obsesses over his grades and has built a robot, a jetpack, and a transformation chamber. Also his StalkerWithACrush Myra.

* [[Music/AnimalsAsLeaders Tosin Abasi]] has a huge understanding of musical theory and puts all his knowledge into his music, making him more of a {{Geek}} than a {{Nerd}}.

* The premise of ''Series/SmartGuy'' follows 10-year-old ChildProdigy TJ Henderson, who is moved up to high school with his older siblings, Yvette and Marcus. Although he subverts the trope, having plenty of friends his age despite skipping six grades and likes to play sports, TJ does exhibit exceptional knowledge that may go over some of his high school classmates' heads.

* Radar in ''Literature/PaperTowns'', Quentin's BlackBestFriend and obsessive editor and tweaker of [[Wiki/TheOtherWiki The Omnictionary]] to the point of social isolation ([[JustForFun/TVTropesWillRuinYourLife sound familiar?]]). In a [[LampshadeHanging direct nod]] to the trope, his parents are fantatical collectors of Black Santa memorbilia, even earning a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.

* In ''Series/WalkerTexasRanger'', James Trivette, the best friend and partner of the titular policeman, is into the modern approach of catching the bad guys, preferring to use computers and cellphones. With his expertise in technology and Walker's martial arts skills, it makes an unbeatable combination in catching the bad guys. In the first season, he originally wore glasses, but did not in Season 2 and onwards.

* The premise of ''Series/SmartGuy'' follows 10-year-old ChildProdigy TJ Henderson, who is moved up to high school with his older siblings, Yvette and Marcus.

* Wade from ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible''. He's a ten year old genius who already completed college and makes all of [[GadgeteerGenius Kim's gadgets]].

* In ''Series/WalkerTexasRanger'', James Trivette, the best friend and partner of the titular policeman, is into the modern approach of catching the bad guys, preferring to use computers and cellphones. With his expertise in technology and Walker's martial arts skills, it makes an unbeatable combination in catching the bad guys. In the first season, he wore glasses, but did not Season 2-onwards.

* In ''Series/WalkerTexasRanger'', James Trivette, the best friend and partner of the titular policeman, is into the modern approach of catching the bad guys, preferring to use computers and cellphones. With his expertise in technology and Walker's martial arts skills, it makes an unbeatable combination in catching the bad guys.

* Texas Ranger James Trivette, the best friend and partner of ''Series/WalkerTexasRanger'', is into the modern approach of catching the bad guys, preferring to use computers and cellphones. With his expertise in technology and Walker's martial arts skills, it makes an unbeatable combination in catching the bad guys.

* Texas Ranger James Trivette, the best friend and partner of ''Series/WalkerTexasRanger'', is more into the modern approach of finding and catching the bad guys through the use of computers and cellphones. With his expertise in technology and Walker's martial arts skills, it makes an unbeatable combination in finding the bad guys.

* ''Film/BadBoys'' has a ''very'' tall, NerdGlasses wearing convict (played by the 7-foot-tall John Salley), who manages to parley his computer hacking skills for freedom with Miami police. According to him, illegal cracking is what got him into jail in the first place.

* In most adaptations of ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'', Baxter Stockman is a black MadScientist with a very unassuming appearance... at least before he gets mutated into a giant fly.

* Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs basketball team. Website/TheOnion's portrayal of him takes this UpToEleven.

** In the sequel series ''Series/LeverageRedemption'', his sister Breanna is just as nerdy as he is -- one episode has her as a huge fan of a ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'' expy.

* Max Gibson from ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'' is a computer hacker and scored a perfect 2400 on her SAT {{Expy}}.

When this trope shows up in rap music, it's ComicsRuleEverythingAroundMe. Compare TheWhitestBlackGuy [[note]]however, ValuesDissonance now tends to look unfavorably on those who equate higher education/intelligence with Whiteness, especially in an era of prominent figures such as Barack Obama[[/note]], which often overlaps. Contrast PrettyFlyForAWhiteGuy.

* Radar in ''Literature/PaperTowns'', Quentin's BlackBestFriend and obsessive editor and tweaker of [[Wiki/TheOtherWiki The Omnictionary]] to the point of social isolation ([[TvTropesWillRuinYourLife sound familiar?]]). In a [[LampshadeHanging direct nod]] to the trope, his parents are fantatical collectors of Black Santa memorbilia, even earning a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.