SmileyBooks Current Releases
Books
America I AM Journal
Edited by Clarence Reynolds
What will you leave behind? It’s time to discover the unique life imprint that only you can create. Record the infinite possibilities of your life’s journey, every day, in this beautiful journal inspired by Tavis Smiley’s traveling museum exhibition America I AM: The African American Imprint.
The America I AM Journal presents over two hundred thought-provoking quotations and compelling images that explore 400 years of African American history. It invites us to remember what we have received, what we have yet to give, and why our shared legacy makes life worth living.
Brainwashed: Challenging the Myth of Black Inferiority
By Tom Burrell
“Brainwashed is the most important book I will read this year. In fact, it may be the most important book I’ve read in the past decade.”
— Alfred Edmond, Jr., Editor-in-Chief of BlackEnterprise.com
Today, all Americans—Black and white—are deluged with a tsunami of words and images that promote the myth of Black inferiority. The seeds of this brilliant propaganda campaign were sown and skillfully fertilized during America’s lucrative slave trade. But in contemporary society, African Americans have become blind to the real roots of their own self-destructive behavior.
But Blacks aren’t the only ones blinded by the brainwash, says Burrell. When Harry Reid recently asserted Barack Obama’s political attractiveness lay in his lack of “Negro dialect” and light skin, he was vocalizing a belief many whites and Blacks silently, unconsciously accept: traits identified as “too Black” are viewed as signs of inferiority.
Brainwashed examines how every strand in the fabric of Black American life has been tainted by brainwashing—from family survival, entertainment, and sexuality, to health, education, and leadership. In each chapter, Burrell skillfully connects the dots between the historical roots and their contemporary manifestations—the dynamic forces that perpetuate the myth of Black inferiority.
Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud
By Cornel WestNominated for a 2010 NAACP Image Award
“Cornel West is one complex dude: brilliant scholar, political activist, committed Christian and soul brother to the bone.”
—TIME
How did a man dubbed by some as “the world’s smartest Negro” go from childhood bully to class president and honor student in Sacramento, California to the halls of Harvard? These questions and many more are answered in Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud, Cornel West’s long awaited life story, written with David Ritz. In this compelling and intimate exploration, West reveals the human heart behind the brilliant mind. He reflects on the joys of growing up in a home where education was a foundation stone, and why growing up in a neighborhood and not a ’hood dictates that he will always and forever be a “Shiloh Baptist kind of brother.”
In Brother West, Dr. West discusses his life’s great passions—the life of the mind and the prophetic Christian tradition that has shaped his deepest personal values of unconditional love and a courageous commitment to service. He shares lessons learned in the academy through his professorships at Union Theological Seminary, Yale Divinity School, Princeton, and Harvard, detailing the shocking and unexpected clash with Harvard’s controversial president Lawrence Summers and his decision to accept an invitation to return to Princeton in the aftermath.
Everything I’m Not Made Me Everything I Am: Discovering Your Personal Best
By Jeff Johnson“Jeff not only lays out the road map, he also helps you visualize where you’re going…An amazing tool for young or old, student or professional. Jeff’s insights are invaluable.”
—Kevin Liles, Executive Vice President, Warner Music Group, and best-selling author of Make It Happen: The Hip-Hop Generation Guide to Success
Nationally known, award-winning broadcast journalist, social commentator and motivational speaker, Jeff Johnson is a man on the move. Whether sharing his unique perspective in weekly commentaries on the Tom Joyner Morning Show, hosting BET specials and town hall events, or breaking ground on his recent independent documentary work in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq—Johnson, who “wakes up every day loving the work that I do,” is living his PERSONAL BEST.
Self-mastery isn’t easy. In his book, Everything I’m Not Made Me Everything I Am Johnson beckons us on the road to self-discovery, and takes us down the counter-intuitive road less traveled. He teaches us to ask not “Who Am I?” but rather “Who Am I Not?” Known for his straightforward, shoot-from-the-hip rapport with his audience, Johnson brings that same dynamic style to his debut book. He’s reached his personal best through a combination of life experiences learned and invaluable lessons taught by his mentors. These life lessons inspired him to create a powerful framework of proven “best practices” for those who need relevant examples and realistic help as they seek their own personal best—regardless of their age or life stage. Johnson dares us to make sure we aren’t living somebody else’s dream.
America I AM Legends: Rare Moments and Inspiring Words
Edited by SmileyBooks
Foreword by Tavis Smiley
Through exceptional photographic images and penetrating words, America I AM Legends captures the dynamism of 78 legendary African American individuals and institutions, highlighting the indelible imprint each has made on the United States and the world. A statement illuminating a unique aspect of each iconic figure—made by the legend or by someone carrying on their legacy today—portrays the vision and contribution of each subject.
Visit www.americaiamlegends.com »
America I AM Legends features the Black artistic genius of Toni Morrison and Alvin Ailey; the athletic excellence of Serena and Venus Williams and Michael Jordan; the political leadership of Ralph Bunche and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.; and those who struggle to make America true to its promise, from Martin Luther King, Jr. to Barack Obama. Each legend reminds us that America would be unrecognizable without its African American imprint.
America I AM Black Facts: The Timelines of African American History, 1601-2008
By Quintard TaylorTime is the great equalizer. No person, race, culture, or nation stands beyond its reach or can alter its inevitable progress. Timelines, lists of events in chronological order as they happened, allow us to understand history as the evolution of events and eras. In the case of African American history, which has often been subject to blatant and subtle distortion, a timeline can both set the record straight and expand our knowledge in new and exciting ways.
America I AM Black Facts is a companion volume to the four-year touring museum America I AM: The African American Imprint. It offers an introduction to the rich, complex, tragic, and triumphant history of the 40 million people of African descent over five centuries in what is now the United States. This fascinating volume features timelines that chronicle the indelible imprint of African Americans on the life, history, and cultures of the world.
Hope on a Tightrope: Words & Wisdom
Book + CDBy Cornel West
Nominated for a 2009 NAACP Image Award
"Uncompromising and unconventional...Cornel West is an eloquent prophet with attitude."- Newsweek
Educator, philosopher, and New York Times best-selling author of Race Matters and Democracy Matters, Dr. Cornel West offers open-hearted wisdom for our times in Hope on a Tightrope, a courageous collection of quotations, speech excerpts, letters, and photographs all reflecting the profound humanity that fuels the passionate public intellectual. In a world that yearns for unarmed truth and unconditional love in the midst of cold greed and blind hatred, Hope on a Tightrope offers a new compass.
This provocative collection explores themes such as Identity and Race, Leadership, Love and Service, Social Justice, Faith, Family, and Wisdom. Hope on a Tightrope will challenge all those in search of new perspectives and provides deep wells of inspiration that marry the mind to the heart.
ON AIR: The Best of Tavis Smiley on the Tom Joyner Morning Show 2004-2008
4-CD Commemorative Box Set with Booklet By Tavis Smiley
"Whether you're a fan of the Tom Joyner Morning Show, a fan of Tavis Smiley or a fan of intelligent, introspective, informative, and inspiring messages for and about issues important to Black America, this set of CDs is a must have."
—Tom Joyner
For twelve years, twice a week, listeners of Tavis Smiley's commentaries on the Tom Joyner Morning Show heard Smiley express his views on a variety of topics that affected their lives. They knew they could count on Smiley, the resident political commentator and social critic, to evoke feelings straight from the heart. Topics on any given day could range from the hard fought battle for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, to the alleged "racist" comments Don Imus made concerning the Rutgers University women's basketball team, or the endearing "mommy-isms" gleaned from Smiley's beloved "Big Mama."
Now, with the release by SmileyBooks of the 4-CD set On Air, listeners can revisit precious Smiley commentaries spanning 2004-2008, years when momentous events occurred in this country, from the origin on the Covenant Movement to the Clinton/Obama chronicles. The commemorative CD set comes with a booklet that features color photographs that capture the essence of Smiley and the Tom Joyner Morning Show, memorable moments, reflections from well known fans of the show and the text of Smiley's last commentary.
Tapping the Power Within: A Guide to Self-Empowerment for Women
Book + CDBy Iyanla Vanzant
Nominated for a 2009 NAACP Image Award
The revised and expanded 20th Anniversary edition of Iyanla Vanzant's first published work, Tapping the Power Within offers a powerful path to self-empowerment through the revitalization of Spirit. It is a guide to spiritual housekeeping. Written with Iyanla's signature healing stories, this classic guide to uniting the will with the spirit teaches that only you have the power to make a change for the better. Offered to assist you on your journey toward peace, love, success, and the freedom to be who you are, this book is a perfect companion on the way toward the real you. This exclusive edition also contains Iyanla's special "What I Know Now" commentaries and an original CD.
Never Mind Success...Go For Greatness
By Tavis Smiley
This inspirational book is a collection of the best advice Tavis Smiley has ever received. Movie stars like Annette Bening, musicians such as Vanessa Williams, and Tavis’ friends, such as Cornel West offer serious, practical, and humorous advice on everything from relationships, careers and money to improving your character, overcoming obstacles, and realizing your dreams. Based on Tavis’ belief that while you can be successful without being great, you can’t be great without being successful. This book is designed to enlighten, encourage, and empower you!
Empowerment Cards
By Tavis Smiley
Tavis Smiley pours his passion for promoting positive change into these 50 personal empowerment cards. Each card will deliver an inspiring message that will encourage you to make the critical decisions to improve your everyday life. Tavis’ firsthand testimonies and words of wisdom will enhance your life and the lives of those in your community. As Tavis says, "Keep the faith!"
Empowerment Cards for Inspired Living
By Tavis Smiley
Expanding on the themes that connect us all, Tavis Smiley offers 70 personalized empowerment cards. Tavis' words of introspection, wisdom, and encouragement will help you to think and decide critically, enabling you to improve both your life and the lives of those in your family and community.
Messages for Life Cards
By Bishop Noel Jones
In this deck of inspirational cards, orator and philosopher Bishop Noel Jones provides bite-sized servings of wisdom packed with nutrition for the mind. Each card presents a life-impacting message that is simple yet full of power—offering just enough to ponder without going too deep. The “messages” within serve as a mental-fitness program for people of all faiths, cultures, and backgrounds; and you’ll find that they will strengthen your body, soul, and spirit!
Never Mind Success...Go For Greatness
