Sepia Dreams: A Celebration of Black Achievement Through Words and Images

by Vanessa Williams (Introduction), Matthew Jordan Smith (Photographer)

Sepia Dreams is a collection of wise words from and beautiful images of fifty black celebrities from the worlds of entertainment, art, sports, and more. Speaking candidly about the motivations and qualities they believe have made and kept them successful, each celebrity interview takes the form of a lesson-one that is useful in our daily lives, one that shows us that dreams can come true, including: * Samuel L. Jackson discusses Endurance
" I was very fortunate that fame didn't come until I'd learned to do a whole lot of different things. The work is what makes me happy. It never occurred to me to quit. From early on, it was instilled in me that it was about the work and not the result of the work." * Gordon Parks expresses Fearlessness
"People could do many things if they just tried, but they're afraid. I have always had a great desire and curiosity about the world and what you can accomplish in it. At times, I have been afraid, but I have never allowed fear to stand in my way." * Lena Horne tells of living with Dignity
"Dignity is something that no one can take away from you. They may try-honey, they will try-but you don't have to let them." * Susan Taylor talks about BALANCE
"When your emotional life is in balance, everything else works. I see myself as a student of my own life. I'm always reaching for something more." Sepia Dreams showcases Matthew Jordan Smith's extraordinary talent, and his moving photographs stand on their own as striking works of art. Intuitive and enriching, practical and encouraging, as well as visually stunning, this book inspires and guides anyone who has ever had a dream to pursue it.

Genres: Photography

224 pages, Hardcover

First published November 13, 2001

Reviews

[Micole Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m gearing up for tomorrow’s #byobookclubforbusybodies - I’ll be sharing this beauty. During Black History Month I got to share this gem by Matthew Jordan Smith with high schoolers from various backgrounds. I picked my fav 28 to mark the days of February. This tabletop book , Sepia Dreams is more than a book - it’s a #gem. I got it as a present when I was in high school and through pictures and testimonies from a range of renaissance men and women it is an upliftingly accurate representation of Black struggle and Black beauty! It is a #Mustread if you are a #creative , #artist or even a #entrepreneur ! Soooo great to revisit!

[Clarence Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

ReedIII Quick Review: Printed in 2001 this book remains relevant and fantastic. This is the perfect coffee table book with excellent pictures, motivation, information and advice in an easy to read format.