Reach: 40 Black Men Speak on Living, Leading, and Succeeding

by Ben Jealous (Editor), Trabian Shorters

A timely and important compilation of first-person accounts by black men—including some famous like Russell Simmons, Rev. Al Sharpton, John Legend, along with community leaders known primarily in their respective neighborhoods—this New York Times bestseller describes a defining moment in each of these black men’s lives which motivated them to give back.

Reach includes forty first-person accounts from well-known men like the Rev. Al Sharpton, John Legend, Isiah Thomas, Bill T. Jones, Louis Gossett, Jr., and Talib Kweli, alongside influential community organizers, businessmen, religious leaders, philanthropists, and educators. These remarkable individuals are living proof that black men are as committed as ever to ensuring a better world for themselves and for others.

Powerful and indispensable to our ongoing cultural dialogue, Reach explodes myths about black men by providing rare, candid, and deeply personal insights into their lives. It’s a blueprint for better community engagement. It’s an essential resource for communities everywhere.

Proceeds from the sale of Reach will go to BMe Community, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building caring and prosperous communities inspired by black men. Reach is also a Project of the Kapor Center for Social Impact, one of the founding supporters of President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative.

Genres: Nonfiction, African American

304 pages, Paperback

First published February 3, 2015

Reviews

[Danni Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book written and edited by Black men telling their own stories in their own voices. As several of the essayists mention, it is essential to racial justice that we transform the dominant narratives about Black men by bringing these powerful true stories into the spotlight and getting rid of the stereotypes that perpetuate the marginalization of Black men. Each of the essays in this book accomplishes this phenomenally. I highly recommend this.

[Gerry Durisin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book slowly, in an effort to absorb each powerful message fully, and the month spent doing so was time well spent. The 40+ essays that make up this book are all written by successful black men who have embraced their responsibility to work to improve their communities, and especially to inspire young black boys and men to become positive leaders.

recommended by Donna Bijas

[Cornelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't recommend this enough and I'd also recommend buying the book, rather than borrowing it. All proceeds support BMe Community.

[Anthony Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When many think of the black community, they think of pathology. There are always the narratives of the gang banger, dead-beat dad, drug addict, or all around demon. Yes, my good people: black men are constantly demonized in this thing we called life in America. And life in America isn't always accurate.

That is where Reach comes in. You see, Reach is that book that examines the toils and triumphs of many black men that have "made it". Some (many) are either rich and wealthy if not doing good for themselves. All of them are successful in their own right. And yes, many of them had made the wrong choices just to turn it around and learn from their mistakes. Let it be known: black progression, just like black regression, is no monolithic situation.

What people will enjoy the most is the true understanding that the black man in the community does not fit a monolithic idealism of manhood and achievement. Instead of choosing men that came from the same background and achieved the same things, Ben Jealous found men from many different age groups, locations, and influences. Each man had a story to tell and each story was unique and focused on their own ideas of success. What must be understood is not all black men are going to be the same. Thus, we should actually act accordingly and disrupt the idea of a monolithic black man.

Now, I wonder if there will be a version of this book geared towards black women. Maybe I should contact Ben Jealous or someone.

[Harrison Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reach: 40 Black Men Speak On Living, Leading, And Succeeding by Ben Jealous was a very interesting book to read. The main premise of it is different stories about different black men. I enjoyed reading about the different experiences each man had, as some were stories on how they became actors or ones that chose to pursue a career as Musician. The main lessons I took away from the book is that everyone goes through hard experiences and that you have to keep working and keep pushing yourself through those struggles as each man in those stories had an issue that they had to overcome and rise above. The language in the story is not crude but it does talk about some social issues as some of the men had dealt with experiences from the civil rights movement. My favorite story from the book was about the experiences of D'Wayne Edwards. Learning about his experiences with working with Michael Jordan to create designs for Air Jordans was fascinating to me as I like some of the designs of Air Jordans. I would recommend this book to African-Americans and high schoolers who want to learn about black men who are succeeding. It's a good book to also read during Black History Month to recognize some successful black men who have made a difference in their community.

[Douglas Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a serious book of essays by 40 individuals who have reached a pinnacle of accomplishment in their lives. The editors both contribute essays; Jealous headed the NAACP from 2008–13 and Shorters was a VP with the Knight Foundation before founding BMe. “This is a book of everyday heroes,” writes Jealous, explaining the book’s noble raison d’être: to inspire, strengthen, encourage, and empower, to give young men of color “access to positive images and stories.” Though some of the contributors lived on the cusp of— or even in— segregated America, most of the contributors are young and wildly successful. Represented are pilots, business magnates, musicians such as John Legend, pastors, physicians, nonprofit CEOs, computer scientists, activists, politicians, and social entrepreneurs. Superstars include NBA Hall-of-Famer Isaiah Thomas and Al Sharpton. As with any group of works, the outliers form notable pieces. Shaka Senghor’s essay, for example, is like the others in that it is well-written and powerful and quite unlike them in that he is a convicted murderer who has since set about righting his wrongs. Also, and to some extent naturally, powerful men can sound hubristic (e.g., Russell Simmons of Def Jam Records who sounds as artfully boastful as ever). VERDICT These powerful accounts will prove immensely useful for all readers who want to understand the titular points of living, leading, and succeeding.
Find this review and others at Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal here. Copyright Library Journal.

[Eddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each One, Teach One.

A truly inspiring collection of short bios from men of color who lead with passion and purpose.  To quote one of the 40 men, George Gresham, the “... real power is in the collective.”  Reach is a recount of diverse upbringings, darkest moments, mentors who made a difference, and turning points in the lives of these black men.  Call it what you will: a calling, a mission to give back, or servant leadership attempting to make a difference in just one person’s life, it is the motivation behind these men of color to live, lead and succeed.  From a larger community of difference-makers, these are just 40 who share their life experiences to inspire others.

[Bonita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book because a very close friend has a chapter dedicated to him. He is an amazing man and to see and read his story in print is a gift.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book could not have been written at a more perfect and convenient time! With everything going on in the news, hope is being lost for the extinction of racism. This book shows that yes, there are very injustice things happening in society however, amazing things are happening as well. A story of one successful person doesn't have the same effect as forty promising stories. I read this, LOVED it and then passed it on to a co-worker and his son. This is a great learning tool! I recommend this book to all. Buy it, pass it on and spread the positive vibes. Thank you for the experience!

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book of real stories by Black Men that give back to the community in which they live. These 40 stories provide personal history, educational upbringing, along with the how and why's they embarked on a life of community service. We should have more books that promote the positive side of Black Men in America.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title says it all, really.

[Donna Bijas · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Very uplifting of 40 personal black male success stories, with hardships, determination and usually one person who believed in each of them. I consider it a must read given the world we live in today. I'm inspired and awed at their individual achievements.

[Brittany | BrittanyIsBooked · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book, the stories shared are incredible. It really made me think about what my goals in life are and what I want to Reach to be. I would highly recommend this book to all audiences.

[Elisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some great stories but overall it got really repetitive. Maybe we need these positive stories of black men to drive home the point that black lives matter though.

[Steven McCullough · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good vignettes from talented men.

A couple of gems but all were good narratives about journeys taken and paths diverted because of circumstance or determined mentors and advocates.

[Alessandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast and uplifting read.