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BOOK REVIEW Book on black men encourages readers to think outside of the box BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER FOR THE CHRONICLE ; , You've been looking at your life and everything around you, and that's the question you've been asking: what next? What will you do with the rest of your days? In the new book "Reach," edited by Ben Jealous and Trabian Shorters, foreword by Russell Simmons, you may find some guidance. Though it's only a few ounces of paper and ink, "Reach" truly packs a punch. There's a lot of takeaway in this book, for starters. Editors Ben Jealous and Trabian Shorters invited 40 black men from all walks of life and achievement to tell their stories and share what helped them succeed. While it's natural that there'd be some repetition, you'll find dozens and dozens of short chapters to uplift and inspire. "What you see is what you do. That's natural," said Ben Jealous, "...imitation has always been the first step for those who achieve great things." It's easy to emulate pos itive behavior and success, once you see it done - which is what you'll find in this book. When D'Wayne Edwards was 16, he lost his beloved older brother. Edwards said that moment really helped motivate him to pay more attention to his own gifts, he now advises others to realize their gifts as well. "It really encouraged me to pay attention to my gift" of drawing and design. "Realize your true poten tial," Edwards said. Shaka Senghor was still a teenager when he was sent to prison and was on course ' to become the best predator he could be until journaling helped him look at his life and the most absurd stuff you can imagine. "Write down your thoughts," Senghor said. "Read them and understand that they have power." Dr. Eddie Connor advis es African-Americans to read. "We've got to promote books instead of prison bars," Connor said. Ben Jealous advises taking risks. Learn math, says Emmanuel Cephas. Broadcasting executive Ron Davenport says to "Be in the room where the decisions are made." Learn to fail, says avi ator Barrington Irving, but don't let it be an option. Van Jones said: "Name your future. Become involved in politics, get an education, and cultivate empathy. Be financially literate, and promote entre preneurship. Be a role model, and ask for mentors. Work collaboratively, and lift up future generations who come after you." Reverend Tony Lee said above all, we should stay hopeful. "Loss of hope can sabotage your faith," said Lee. Yusef Shakur believes that if you lose hope, you lose your way. I I I. I Jealous "Without ... hope, poverty becomes over whelming," said Shakur. I loved that in this book - but there was one thing that bears mentioning: Pay attention, and you'll start to notice that many authors here were raised in father less households. It truly struck me as further proof that there are no excuses not to succeed. While I think anyone will be glad they read this book, I can definitely see it being a great gift for any young man on his way to high school, college, or post-college life. It will give him something to think about on his path to success. For him, "Reach" is a great book to have, wherever he goes. The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has been reading since she was 3 years old and she never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 14,000 books. Shorters "We've got to promote nooks instead of prison bars," -Dr. Eddie Connor fotetiorti wj &<6?ll 5*w*u>ws> REACH 40 Black Men Speak on Living, Leading, and Succeeding - ?AxM k>if | 6cn 3ioJloas i Tmbiam Sl^jrfcrs Reach: 40 Black Men Speak on Living, Leading, and Succeeding," edited by Ben Jealous and Trabian Shorters, foreword by Russell Simmonsc.2015, Atria $15.00 / $18.00 Canada 275 pages BB&T PRESENTS $4lvTej THE NORTH CAROLINA CELEBRATION ? S fl w s 11= -h ^ < (/> -H H > 5 -I ? ? "2T I n * ? f # ;* > s < V> ? r- s - r w c s z ? V *, ?- ?*? WBgaggmmm t/> -I 5 W Z TJF C m 5 ?4 O CP U} 3 r! * pn c~ z ^ u ^ rn ?8 o : z I " H S * ? O ^ ? ? > V? W ?M y MM m m s 5 M F h I ? O O o ? Z h 2 o cn PRODUCED BY MM Kinm iiiW
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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June 4, 2015, edition 1
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