Before Empire: Raising Bryshere "Yazz the Greatest" Gray

by Andria Mayberry, Mya Kay (With)

This exclusive look into the life of celebrity mother, Andria Mayberry gives the world a glimpse into raising one of Hollywood’s hottest up and coming stars. Going back to her days as a young, single mother, Andria takes us on a journey through the dangerous streets of Philadelphia raising Bryshere “Yazz The Greatest” Gray and her daughter, Brianna. What could have easily been just another statistical story turns into a moment of triumph. This single parent discusses raising a child with ADHD, having to escape an abusive relationship and dealing with the ups and downs of raising a fatherless son in a cold world. Today, Bryshere is a star on Fox’s number one drama series, Empire. His mother still maintains her full-time job in the medical field, giving the patients the same love and care she has given her children. As a driven parent, she opens up about her dark nights of pain, depression and anxiety. Andria shares how she dealt with giving her daughter the attention she deserved, while focusing on her son’s ADHD and career. With insight into the world of being a celebrity mother, this book is sure to encourage others raising a child with a disorder. Written with bestselling author Mya Kay of The Clover Chronicles, Before Raising Bryshere “Yazz The Greatest” Gray is an inspirational true story of a single mother not allowing anything to deter her from pulling the inner star out of her child.

194 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[BernieMck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this memoir to be quite interesting. I am so glad Yazz's mom decided to share. Its inspiring to know about some of the struggles, that those we look up to, faced and conquered.

[Selena Haskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before he was Hakeem Lyon, he was Bryshere Gray-a little boy who grew up on the tough streets of West Philadelphia and raised by a tough, smart, and diligent single Mom, Andria Mayberry. As a single parent, Mayberry was forced to do a two-parent job. She raised a little girl (Brianna) to become a young woman and a little boy (Bryshere) to become a young man. She faces many challenges along the way from dealing with domestic abuse, deadbeat dads to financial struggles, all the while trying to raise a young Bryshere who has ADHD.

Mayberry is very open about her personal struggles, but she was determined to finish school and earn a decent living to support her family. Her love for Bryshere is deeply entrenched, but like every mother who loves her children, she eventually has to let go.

Despite the fact that Mayberry seems to have some regrets about not being able to spend more time with her children because of work, she gave them what she could and beyond. It was interesting to see what their lives were like before Empire, and I think with two fighters like Bryshere and his mom their success will only continue.

[Temar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Inspiring story about importance of being a health advocate for your child and living with challenges of ADHD diagnosis. Reminder sometimes you don't know what you don't know. Just don't give up. A solution or option is closer than you think. Keep fighting, be open to combining traditional medicine with alternative therapies. Quality contributed to lower rating. Subsequent printings should eliminate errors/typos in print books for future readers.

[Erin Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book.

[Antoinette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

[Hannah]

its a really good book