Black nationalism is an ideology advocating for the empowerment of Black people through social, political, and economic means. Black nationalism posits that Black culture should be preserved by Black people in resistance to assimilation into white culture and to maintain Black identity. The means by which this is achieved varies widely depending on the person, group, and time period in which it is examined. Throughout history, some Black nationalists promoted the idea of all-Black universities, political parties, and employment and economic advancement for Black individuals; others argued for a return to Africa for the formation of a new nation or the reclamation of African land; and others argued for violent resistance and revolution against the US government. Perhaps the most famous example of Black nationalism is the Black Panther Party, a 1960s political organization in the US that founded social programs for education, food, and health for Black Americans while also utilizing violence in resistance to police corruption and de facto segregation.

Imperium in Imperio is considered one of the earliest novels to promote Black nationalism. Through the contrast of its two main characters—Belton and Bernard —the effects of systemic racism on the restriction of Black freedom and equality are explored, as well as  privilege and corruption within Black communities.