Archives
10:22:00 AM EDT
Feeling Quiet
Hearing "Loving Arms" by Natalie Cole -- from her remarkable new album, 'Leavin'
TAVIS SMILEY: A 'Sure' Thing
By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
Fresh off the success of the best-selling book 'The Covenant with Black America,' which he served as editor for, celebrated talking head Tavis Smiley will release his memoir, titled 'What I Know For Sure: My Story of Growing Up In America' (Doubleday), on Oct. 10.
As told to esteemed biographer, David Ritz ('Divided Soul: The Life of Marvin Gaye'), the book reveals the influences and forces that shaped his upbringing in an all white community and the impact it had on his later success.
As host of his own self-titled, daily television show, and a weekly talk radio program, respectively, Smiley, 42, is one of America’s most popular media figures -- providing a much needed voice for intellectual Black American.
The Gulfport, Mississippi native and former BET personality has quite a story to be told … with hopes to motivate and uplift.
Here are some facts of his journey thus far:
-- He grew up in a family of 13 living in a trailer in rural Indiana, where some years he had to forego a new pair of shoes to replace the ones he was outgrowing.
-- Smiley was hospitalized after being beaten by his father with an electrical cord, and was placed in foster care for a time. (It was only years later that he fully reconnected with his parents.)
-- He was one of the only African Americans in his high school class, raised Pentecostal and never dated, drank or watched a movie until he left for college.
-- Pulling himself up by the bootstraps and striving for something more, his remarkable speaking ability made him an Indiana State oratorical champion.
-- Despite the obstacles he faced, Smiley relied on his faith and the inspirational teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others to continue in his pursuit of excellence.
-- As a political candidate in Los Angeles (City Council, 1991), and then as a rising broadcast star, Smiley discovered he could shape public discourse on the concerns of the day.
-- Upon turning 40 and midway through his career, he felt a void in his life and filled it philanthropically when he donated 1 million dollars to Texas Southern University’s communications school in order to provide scholarships for aspiring black journalists, two years ago.
-- Smiley, who is single and resides in Los Angeles, is the author of the bestsellers 'Hard Left, Doing What’s Right,' 'How to Make Black America Better,' and 'Keeping the Faith.'
According to a Doubleday rep, the esteemed member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity hopes this honest, deeply moving self portrait will truly be an inspiration to readers of every age.
A story to be told is a story to behold.
Written by bvnewswire Blog about this entry |
Add to del.icio.us | 
digg this
-
A true black leader should be doing AT YOUR AGE, the most important thing a BLACK man can do and that is LEAD BY EXAMPLE INSTEAD OF WORDS.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ANY MAN CAN DO FOR THEIR RACE IS TO TAKE CARE OF A WOMAN AND RAISE AND BUILD A STRONG FAMILY.
IF YOU CAN'T DO THAT TAVIST YOU ARE NOT A LEADER AND ARE A FAILURE AS A MAN. YOU ARE NOT A ROLE MODEL FOR MY SON OR ANY OTHER BLACK BOY.
ACQUIRING RICHES TO SELFISHLY LAVISH ON YOURSELF IS NOT A SIGN OF LEADERSHIP. -
Dear Tavis:
I was indeed fascinated to hear of your upbringing and was also surprised to find that you were separated from your family for a period. You are indeed an inspiration to black men and women. I miss your comments on the "TJMS". I have read 2 of your books and plan to read " A Sure Thing". Please continue your good work and continued blessings from God. Clttmajormom ( Lorraine Claitt) -
Dearest Tavis,
I have followed your career since the ol' BET evening show. You made a difference in our community. I am so proud to have you representing the Black Man in America!
Please keep blessing us with what you know for sure! -
I am truely inspired by someone like you. Your upbringing, your Faith, your inner bitions to press your way and make the best of yourself to acheive your dreams while inspiring others along the way. Honestly, when I first heard your name and voice years ago, I thought I heard some anger, but when I really tuned in, I realized it was just Passion, Zest and all the ingrediences you needed in life to make it to this point. I hope to get the opportunity to meet you in this life time. I can't wait to read your newest book. Good Luck Mr. Smiley, in your future endeavors. B Simons / Miami, FL
10/25/06 9:39 PM
You are a role model...kids or not. Having a child and raising one doesn't prove your manhood anymore than having a baby birthed from your body makes you a good and successful mom. When you can live in integrity and live to serve, when you can hold your head high and not be ashamed of who you are, where you been and why you are who you are, when you can seek forgivness from God and grow, keep the flow and the faith, now thats the true measure of a man. You could role model for my son anyday! You are one of our Prince's.
Keep sharing the light
Peace