Black Cuban, Black American (Arte Público Press, 2000), a memoir based on the first twenty six years of Evelio Grillo's life, tells the story of his simultaneous rearing as a black Cuban and a black American. Born in Tampa, Florida, in 1919, he lived until he was fifteen in Ybor City, the Latin settlement within the city.

Reared bilingually and biculturally, he learned the Spanish language and the Cuban culture in his home. He learned the English language and the black American culture in his neighborhood, in the segregated schools, the segregated church, and in the larger black American community into which he was integrated.

Black Cubans had a dual identity. They lived largely isolated from the white Cuban community, except in the cigar factories, where they worked with white Cubans, Italians, and Spaniards. Like all blacks, they were totally isolated from the white American community.

Black Cubans were black. That was the overwhelming reality of their existence. Despite some denial by many black Cubans, who usually refer to their nationality, Cuban, and not to their race, African, to identify themselves, they had at least one alternative in finding a place to belong within the American culture: to become an integral part of African-American society.

Those who were fortunate enough to make the transition, became, essentially, colored Americans, later Negroes, later Afro-Americans, later blacks and now, black Americans and African Americans. Thus they were able to develop deep American roots within the black American culture and experience.

The book also recounts Grillo's experiences at Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C.; at Xavier University, a historically black institution in New Orleans, Louisiana; and as a black soldier in the Jim Crow Army during World War II. 

 Professionally, he held the Master of Social Work degree and practiced as a Social Group Worker and Community Organizer.