I am an African American male who is looking to research both sides of my families. My maternal side hails from South Carolina in Florence, Darlington, Timmonsville, Cheraw, Sumter, and other sections and my paternal side hails from Richmond, Virginia, Coretta, West Virginia, and Bessemer, Alabama.

Take a read of the AfriGeneas Guide to get you started. The holiday time is perfect for interviewing the elders and other relatives to hear the history as they remember.
Best wishes on taking the research plunge.