"An inspiring an powerful success guide." ESSENCE Author and entrepreneur Dennis Kimbro combines bestseeling author Napolean Hilll's law of success with his own vast knowledge of business, contemporary affairs, and the vibrant culture of Black America to teach you the secrets to success used by scores of black Americans, including: Spike Lee, Jesse Jackson, Dr. Selma Burke, Oprah Winfrey, and many others. The result is inspiring, practical, clearly written, and totally workable. Use it to unlock the treasure you have always dreamed of--the treasure that at last is within your reach.
I will start this review by stating that I am a 49-year-old African-American male. I will also preface this review by outlining that I am highly successful and believe that excellence will always transcend. At the same time, I will acknowledge that my path has been filled with trials that are unique to African-Americans.
I was raised by a mother and father that told me never to view my race as a disadvantage, but that it would make me unique…A trailblazer. I was fortunate that my college-educated father forced me to read books on the mind, on faith, and on success. When I became a teenager, I sought these books out of my own doing. I know they are the foundation and a powerful reason for why I am where I am today.
I also understand that not everyone (no matter the race!) gets the advantages I had as a Black child growing up in the 60s to a proud but struggling lower middle-class family. I am even more aware of how fortunate I am to have been part of a family that taught me how to fight - through excellence.
All of that said, I understand the historical need to "segregate" the success message. As a sales trainer, and author, I teach a lesson called The Message and The Messenger - it is not a lesson on race but a lesson on building rapport and chemistry (regardless of the clients background) - the foundation of sales.
I applaud Napoleon Hill for trying to address the specific needs of an audience with a specific messenger...and Dennis Kimbro was a good choice.
Few people know that Napoleon Hill (Think and Grow Rich) had also begun a transcript of a message to Black America back in the 70s. That mantle was then picked up by this author Dennis Kimbro with the book "Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice". This concept was done again by Anthony Robbins & Joseph McClendon III in "Unlimited Power: A Black Choice". Both works are essentially a redo of the original works with a specific audience in mind, and I believe well intended.
Even now with a two-term Black president (more specifically bi-racial) we still see great disparity, but it is no longer simply defined by race but other components of socio-economics.
As an author of success books, books on sales and other works on achievement, I see myself today as just that - an author. I want those works to affect and impact the world, regardless of race color creed or national origin. Pollyanna perhaps, but I can only control my intent.
Soapbox aside, this book is powerful not because of who it was written for but because of who wrote it. I believe that the creator gave us all what we need, and in spite of what others may think, or do, we can express that gift if we engage the principles outlined in both of these works.
Not to be controversial, I would recommend this book to anyone...
I always heard great things about the original Think and Grow Rich. But as a Black American, this version caught my eye. It was inspiring to hear about successful black business entrepreneurs. It was refreshing to see folks that look like me achieve so much success despite their obstacles.
Dennis Kimbro does an excellent job of keeping up with the spirit of the original Think and Grow Rich. All individuals will find this an excellent read. This is not just a "black readers only" book.
This book propelled me on the path of entrepeneurship. After reading it years ago, I took a few bold steps to get my leadership and personal development training company started. It made me think! And grow! I'm still working on the rich part!
Wow...this book is a must read. I have grown spiritually and mentally after reading this book. I have changed my outlook on life and no longer have a victim mentality. I have come to realize that in order to achieve the success I desire, I must work hard. The only way I can achieve exponential growth is by having faith and being persistent.
I had mixed feelings about reading this book. I had already read Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich a few years ago, and liked it. The mixed feelings I had were a result of some of the early passages in the book and the overall format of the book. Dennis Kimbro, essentially, was chosen by Napoleon Hill's people to promote the concepts in Hill's original "Think and Grow Rich" to a Black audience. (There is also a version out there geared towards a Latino audience.) I can appreciate the premise of wanting to reach these audiences specifically, and build on any concepts toward these audiences that one could say are not specifically addressed in the original. I also see the profitability of re-releasing similar information geared toward special interest groups, which I think the purpose of this book is more of the latter.
When I read Napoleon Hill's original, as a Black woman, I always take note of the things that are not made with my voice or perspective in mind. However, I still think Hill's original is one of the better self-improvement books that I've read. I also saw many of the concepts to be pretty universal. In this version of the book that caters to the Black audience, I still feel that, as a Black woman, this book is lacking. It is written from the perspective of a man, and I know that it's impossible for a book to cover every single possible premise. However, early on, Kimbro can seem a bit preachy, and there is a hint of "black respectability" undertones. For example, Kimbro, alluding to the phrase "Black Power," states that "it implies dominance or retaliation for oppression." I, of course, don't agree with that premise, but keep in mind the funders of this book (i.e. Napoleon Hill's Foundation). There are examples of success stories from both men and women, which is appreciated, and I think the majority, if not all examples, in this one are of Black people.
Yet, there was another issue with the formatting of the book, that I don't quite recall to be as much of an annoyance from Hill's original, Think and Grow Rich. Hill's original seems more in-depth about himself and a few other example of other perceivably "great men." Yet, early on, in Kimbro's version, I felt there was a constant repetition of very brief anecdotes that take the format of the following: Here is a person who faced adversity. Said person was determined in life, and went down in history as very successful.
The anecdotes are too brief to really ascertain applicable information of how the person REALLY became successful, and there certainly could've been less of them. In other words, the same info could've been more impactful by going more in-depth with less examples rather than the many shallow examples that are quite easy to forget because of their similarities.
I did find more value toward the end of the book, where I feel it gets closer to its predecessor in tone. It shifts from the anecdotes to universal concepts of the power of the mind, divine intelligence, and having a burning desire to succeed. If you have to read one of the two, read the original, this one is double the fluff and half the meat. Not to say to say that there isn't value here. I read both, but just prefer the original.
Loved this book! Dennis Kimbro did a fantastic in expounding upon the principles found in Think and Grow Rich, but catering it to Black people and people of color. The greatest lesson I gained from this reading is how powerful our minds are, and thus it is imperative that we become obsessed with success. Kimbro is now one of my favorite authors, and I will always have one of his works in constant rotation. Thanks Kimbro!
This is a great guide to success, you will want to read it over and over again! Great African-American people that I didn't know about are in this book. Great Read!!! This comes recommended.
I don't usually read a book more than once, but this book is definitely worth reading again. This book changed my outlook on success. The stories were very inspiring.
For my first deep book review, I decided to read a book that was recommended by my dad and many of his coworkers. The book is called Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice by Dennis Kimbro. This book is a self-help book that I was really looking forward to reading. Dennis Kimbro is an author who has written several books, but this is the first of his that I have read, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by the book.
The author of this book, Dennis Kimbro was born December 29, 1950, in Jersey City, New Jersey. In 1972, he received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Oklahoma. Dennis Kimbro wrote this book to be a sort of updating and extension of the work of the 1937 bestseller Think and Grow Rich written by Napoleon Hill after some research on his book and the sources that it came from. This is a book that shows Napoleon Hill's law of success combined with Dennis Kimbro’s extensive knowledge of business, contemporary affairs, and the culture of black America to teach you the secrets to success used by many people that you might know, such as Spike Lee, Jesse Jackson, Dr. Selma Burke, Oprah Winfrey, and many others.
Throughout the time that I read this book, I was playing baseball. This book helped change my mindset so that I could get the things that I wanted to get done with excellence. One of the most important messages in Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice has to be something that both Napolean Hill and Dennis Kimbro believed, Is the mindset that persistence and belief in oneself are key to being able to overcome challenges and obstacles. The book shows that no matter your race, or socioeconomic status, anyone can unlock their potential through things like determination, self-discipline, and an unwavering belief in the abilities that you have worked hard to create and perfect.
Another important thing said in this book that I really ended up taking to heart is that success starts in your mind. The book talks about how important it is to have a positive mindset about whatever it is that you're doing, along with setting clear goals and sticking with those goals without quitting. These are points that are shown in many stories of African American leaders, entrepreneurs, and artists in this book who faced adversity in many ways but were able to persevere through it because of their mental resolve and discipline.
Dennis Kimbro also stresses the importance of creating strong relationships with others, seeking mentorship, and learning from those who have already achieved the things that you are trying to get to. I personally am really glad that he talked about this because this is something that I have recently been trying to do in my life so that I can advance to the things that I want to get to more efficiently so that I am able to learn all of the necessary skills to work in the field that I want to work in. As well as just live happily in the future when I retire so that I still have the connections and resources to support friends, family, and any possible children.
Through this book, I have grown in so many ways that I didn't think I would have grown by reading one book. I have grown mentally and spiritually by reading this book. I have moved away from a sort of victim mindset. It has helped me realize that for me to reach the success and achievements that I want for my life. The only way to get the success and growth that I am looking for is by having faith in myself and staying persistent through different struggles and challenges.
Something else that I feel like I will utilize that was talked about in this book is acquiring specialized knowledge in your field I briefly talked about making sure that I have all the necessary skills to be able to be successful in the field of work that I won't go into but I believe that I also have to search for the skills that I’ll need on my own and not wait for them, to come to me because I know that they won't. When you want something or need something you need to go after it yourself in order to get it, whether through formal education or life experience, you have to really be motivated to want it.
Overall, I feel that this is an amazing book for anyone who is looking for the motivation to do what you need to do as well as a book to give you insight into the things that you should look for in your life in order to be and stay successful.
This book is for anyone who wants to stop treating success like a lottery ticket and start treating it like a skill. Napoleon Hill interviewed the titans of his era—Ford, Edison, Carnegie—and distilled their secrets into principles that still work today. It’s not about “get rich quick,” it’s about “think differently, act consistently, and grow rich eventually.”
Key Takeaways :
1. Desire Wanting success isn’t enough—you need burning desire. Think of it like oxygen: without it, nothing else matters. Example: Edison failed thousands of times, but his obsession kept him going until the light bulb worked.
2. Faith Belief is the fuel. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will. Example: Henry Ford demanded a V8 engine when engineers said it was impossible. His faith kept them working until it became reality.
3. Autosuggestion Your brain listens to what you tell it. Feed it success, not doubt. Example: repeating affirmations like “I’m building wealth” rewires your mindset faster than doom‑scrolling Twitter.
4. Specialized Knowledge General knowledge is trivia; specialized knowledge makes money. Example: a doctor earns more than a generalist because they know something specific. Same with investors who master one niche.
5. Imagination Ideas are the raw material of riches. Example: Walt Disney imagined a mouse and built an empire. Creativity is currency.
6. Organized Planning A dream without a plan is just a nap. Example: Andrew Carnegie didn’t just dream steel—he mapped factories, workers, and systems.
7. Decision Successful people decide quickly and rarely change their minds. Example: procrastination kills more dreams than failure ever will.
8. Persistence Stick with it when others quit. Example: Colonel Sanders pitched his chicken recipe over 1,000 times before someone said yes.
9. The Mastermind Surround yourself with brains better than yours. Example: Steve Jobs had Wozniak, Bill Gates had Paul Allen—success is rarely solo.
10. The Subconscious Mind Your inner autopilot runs the show. Feed it success, not fear. Example: if you constantly think “I’m broke,” your subconscious will make sure you stay that way.
11. The Brain Think of it as a broadcasting station—your thoughts attract like frequencies. Example: focus on opportunity, and you’ll start spotting it everywhere.
12. The Sixth Sense Call it intuition, gut, or “spidey sense.” The greats trust it. Example: Rockefeller often made decisions based on instinct—and they paid off.
RECAP: Desire → Want it like oxygen. Faith → Believe first, proof comes later. Autosuggestion → Talk to your brain until it listens. Specialized Knowledge → Trivia is free, expertise pays. Imagination → Ideas are the currency of empires. Organized Planning → A dream without a plan is just a nap. Decision → Procrastination is the silent dream killer. Persistence → Fail 1000 times, succeed once—it’s worth it. Mastermind → Success is rarely solo—find your tribe. Subconscious Mind → Feed it success, not fear. Brain → Tune your thoughts like a radio station. Sixth Sense → Trust your spidey sense—it’s richer than logic.
Why its a Great Read: Because it makes you laugh at your own habits. You’ll catch yourself saying, “Yep, that’s me procrastinating instead of deciding,” or “I’ve been feeding my brain Netflix instead of autosuggestion.” Hill’s principles are timeless because they’re human.
Summary: Think and Grow Rich isn’t about quick hacks—it’s about rewiring your mindset to think like the wealthy. Desire, faith, persistence, imagination—these aren’t just words, they’re the building blocks of success. Read it, and you’ll stop asking “Why not me?” and start saying “Watch me.”
"Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice" by Dennis Kimbro is a book that builds upon Napoleon Hill's classic "Think and Grow Rich" while focusing on the experiences, challenges, and success stories of African Americans. The book seeks to inspire and empower individuals within the black community to achieve their goals and aspirations by leveraging the principles of personal development and success outlined in Hill's original work. Here are some key takeaways from "Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice":
Adapting Principles to Cultural Context: Dennis Kimbro adapts Napoleon Hill's success principles to the context of African American experiences. He highlights the achievements of prominent black individuals who have risen above adversity to attain success. The book acknowledges the unique challenges faced by African Americans historically and provides a roadmap for how they can overcome these challenges using mindset, determination, and focused action.
Mindset and Persistence: The book emphasizes the importance of cultivating a success-oriented mindset. Kimbro explores how African American individuals have historically persevered in the face of obstacles, drawing from their cultural heritage and determination. By highlighting stories of individuals who achieved greatness despite adversity, the book encourages readers to adopt a resolute mindset and unwavering persistence in their pursuit of success.
Community and Empowerment: "Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice" underscores the significance of community and mentorship. Kimbro emphasizes the role of supportive networks and positive role models in helping individuals achieve their goals. The book encourages readers to surround themselves with like-minded individuals, seek out mentors, and contribute to the upliftment of their communities.
Taking Action and Visualization: Similar to Hill's original work, the book stresses the importance of taking consistent and purposeful action towards one's goals. Kimbro emphasizes the practice of visualization, positive affirmation, and focused intention as tools to help individuals align their thoughts and actions with their desired outcomes.
In summary, "Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice" by Dennis Kimbro provides a culturally relevant interpretation of Napoleon Hill's success principles, tailored to the experiences and challenges faced by African Americans. By highlighting the achievements of successful individuals within the black community and providing actionable insights, the book aims to inspire personal growth, empowerment, and success. It encourages readers to harness their potential and overcome adversity through determined effort and a positive mindset.
Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice is a powerful and inspiring book that offers practical advice on how to achieve financial success and prosperity. The book, which is based on the original Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, is written by Dennis Kimbro and tailored specifically to the needs and experiences of black readers.
One of the key takeaways from the book is the importance of having a clear and specific goal in mind. Kimbro encourages readers to set a specific and measurable financial goal, and then provides a step-by-step guide for how to achieve it. The book also covers the importance of developing a positive mindset and cultivating a strong work ethic, as well as the role that education and personal development play in achieving financial success.
In addition to these practical tips, the book also includes stories and interviews with successful black businesspeople and entrepreneurs, which serve as motivation and inspiration for readers. Overall, Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their financial situation and achieve their goals.
This is an amazing book that straddles the line between personal development and history of successful black people. It is safe to say that this gem of an inspirational book needs to be updated to appeal more to millennials. In my opinion, anyone of any age can apply these life-changing principles for success. However, these principles will inspire many younger African Americans to make the right decisions that should positively affect their lives. It has been many years since this book was first published but the lessons derived are still very relevant today.
“You can be anything you want to be, if only you believe with sufficient conviction and act in accordance with your faith; for whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve.” —NAPOLEON HILL
I saw a review entitled..an inspiring success guide..seems to be an accurate description. An awesome book on the keys to success. I felt completely drawn to the contents of the book. It all starts with self belief, that leads to discipline..without both of these you cannot attain your goals. A real guide to mastery. Key ideas:
1- Like physical effort, thought control is entirely a matter of intelligent practice. 2 - You sing not because you are happy. You are happy because you sing. 3- He who is not getting better is getting worse. 4 - The market doesnt pay for efforts. It pays for results. YOU MUST PRODUCE
There are many many more notable quotes. A book full of inspiration.
Black History. BLACK History. BLACK HISTORY!!! What a wonderful book and reference of all the greatness that is BLACK FOLK!!! I was so engulfed with this book that I couldn’t put it down and when I did I had to wait for the appropriate time to pick the book back up and focus on the innards of it to gain the most that I could. I will for sure revisit this book as time continues on. There is so much wealth in his take on the great Napoleon Hill’s Think & Grow Rich 💚💚💚. I enjoyed learning new nuggets about our legends especially Carver and Arsenio Hall. We are so amazing, my mind continues to be blown!!! A top book for sure!!!
I truly enjoyed this very motivational and inspiring to reach goals. I actually got this from the library and as the information continued I really think I want this book on my shelf. While it is a little out dated of course because some of the people lives has changed, the history of their achievements are static. For those who love to be inspired and may have dreams and goals but get a bit weary at time I recommend taking a look at this and it will keep you focused on what you really want in life no matter the race!!!
I found this book to be motivating, especially for a black male who gew up in the mediocre portions of Baltimore city. Dr. Kimbro speaks truth to what I am experiencing while growing my own business. I find more hurdles thrown at me from Black people than I do from any other race and or ethnic group. I am also realizing that there are African-Americans that think like me, but I am not bonding with them the way I should. This book is giving me the motivation to change my perception and do what is required to be successful!
This is a solid resource for African-Americans with interests in building lasting success. The message is difficult to read at times because it challenges the implications of race in US society. However, it offers multiple examples of Black pioneers who have accomplished incredible feats despite the continual impact of racism and other structural inequalities. If you're looking for motivation, inspiration, and drive, pick up this book!
I have read the author's book, "The Wealth Choice" as well. Both are equally great reading. This book seemed more practical, straightforward, and not as repetitive. Although there are circumstances that can or may stifle a person from becoming rich, there are enough examples of Black people in history who have overcome great obstacles to obtain riches. The disciplines required are outlined in this book.
After reading the original, this one catered to the Black livelihood was a nice add on. Its definitely a book I will have to keep returning to, as with the original. A lot of moving and inspiring stories held within it. A lot to digest and take in but all the principles in it are sound and if applied as told and the book, it will change your life.
A fantastic read. It was what I needed and will continue to need as my life runs it's course. A refreshing reminder of the notion that we all can do some things to improve our own lives, moreover our duty to ourselves and others to reach for more in the healthiest and most balanced ways possible. Love it!