Forgive me if I am posting known info - just setting a baseline for additional posts, since it was not clear how long you have been researching, or what tools/resources are within your reach.

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The best immediate resource is based on where you are in your genealogical journey.

More important, record what you know.
You'll be surprised how much you know when it is written down, and/or entered into a Gen. program.

Discover what is missing, then determine what records MAY lead to that information and where they can be found, if created.

In otherwords,

A. Make a Research Plan
* Who / What / When
- who is involved
- what information is needed
- what type of records would have been created
- when did it occur
- when would it have been recorded
- who would have recorded it

* Where / Why
- where would it have been recorded
- where would it reside
- where are the repositories
- why was it recorded
- - well, had to get 'why' in there somehow (lol)

Actually, when you know WHY something was important to record, it may lead to other available records.

B. Web-Sites
Free
1. Afrigeneas
There is a Beginner's Guide here on Afrigeneas that is worth reading. Click Records from the Main page.

2. Cyndi's List
This website has been prominent for many years. ONE of it's strenghts is bringing together resources from many areas, including online.

3. Library of Congress-American Memory
- Chronicling America - Historic American newspapers

C. Books (yes...)
1. " Finding a Place Called Home: A Guide to African-American Genealogy and historical Identity", by the late Dee Parmer Woodtor, Ph. D.
- One of my favorites. You may also obtain a copy through your local library, even if via inter-library loan.

2. "Finding Your African American Ancestors: A Beginner's Guide", by David T Thackery

3. "Black Roots: A Beginners Guide to Tracing The African American Family Tree", by Tony Burroughs

4. "Black Genesis: A Resource Book for African-American Genealogy", by James M. Rose, Ph. D. with Alice Eichholz, Ph. D G

5. "A Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Your African-American Ancestors. How to Find and Record Your Unique Heritage", by Franklin Carter Smith and Emily Anne Croom
* In another book, Ms Croom explains the "Cluster Genealogy" method, one that has helped many.

6. "Unpuzzling Your Past: A Basic Guide to Genealogy", by Emily Anne Croom, et al

7. "The Family Tree Problem Solver: Tried-and-True Tactics for Tracing Elusive Ancestors", by Marxha Hoffman Rising (for example)