Soul Food: 105 Inspirational Stories for African Americans - Softcover

Eric V. Copage has worked as a staff reporter for Life and The New York Daily News and as a music columnist for Essence. He is the author of five books, including the Black Pearls series, which won the Blackboard Book of the Year Award. He has been featured on Good Morning America and NPR. He was an editor of The New York Times Magazine for 10 years and is currently a reporter for The New York Times city section. He lives in Montclair, New Jersey.

Copage, author of the popular Black Pearls series, has compiled a literary collage of stories, poetry and fables in a chicken-soupish volume that provides a hearty buffet of inspiration in bite-size morsels. The pieces have been grouped into sections, including Love, Self-esteem, Family, Creativity, Tenacity, Wisdom and Faith. Contributors include Nikki Giovanni, Colin Powell, Oprah Winfrey, Queen Latifah, Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, as well as some lesser-known authors. One memorable anecdote, written by Copage and entitled "The Choice," tells the story of a runaway slave after he was caught and beaten by "he who called himself master." In a narrative of advice entitled "Royalty, Part II," Queen Latifah expounds on what it means to her to be a self-proclaimed queen and tells other women how they too can have what it takes. Most important, she says, "You have to want to be a queen." In "An Unmarked Man," Michel Marriott shares how he discovered "an essential element of being a man" while pledging a fraternity known to physically brand its members during initiation. In "Cupid's Arrow," Copage reveals how a stick, a ribbon and a trip to Martha's Vineyard tell the story of 25 years of love and marriage. In all, this collection dishes up a quick, satisfying bit of inspiration. (June)
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