This book has the name that captures you from the start. “What I Know for Sure”, because everyone always want to know something for sure.
Tavis has a straight from the heart talk about his life experiences which makes him the man he is today. In this book he shares the poverty, the ambition, the pain and atonement that shaped his world.
I enjoyed reading this book; it gave me inspiration and educated me at the same time. The book was concise and easy to read; as Tavis delved into his life so intimately.
The book begins with Tavis as a young boy who lived in a trailer with his nine siblings; attended predominantly white schools; and a strict Pentecostal church. He grew up feeling like an outsider because of the color of his skin, and his family’s economic status.
Tavis had a love for words and while in his English class, he came alive when hearing Dr. King’s speech “I Have a Dream” for the first time. He understood the power and the symbolic language used in it. Dr. King’s other speeches touch Tavis as well, he stated, Dr. King’s words “reflected my pride in the courageous brilliance of a leader outspoken in conveying our purpose and passion”. He talks about how Dr. King influences his life on so many levels. First by showing him words have meaning and that words are powerful.
Tavis writes; it was the love and support of his family that sustained him. But that trust and support was shattered when his father, in a moment of rage, beat him with an electrical cord, sending him to the hospital. Tavis was placed in foster care for a time, and it took him years to bridge the emotional gap between him and his parents.
Tavis rose above all circumstances, winning oratorical championships which led him on a different path. He understood the importance of an education and was determined to be enrolled and stay at Indiana University even without the financial support he needed. He briefly entered the political arena working with Mayor Tom Bradley’s Administration in Los Angeles. Determined to help poor and under represented African Americans. Later he became a Radio Commentator and a TV Talk Show Host and realized it was a way to influence public discourse and issues concerning African Americans. Tavis tells of him being fired from BET after being accused of disloyalty; he joins and then leaves NPR, which he scorns as “a private club for educated white people.” While at BET, he was insulted on-air by Russell Simmons, survived a bad romance and traveled to Cuba and met Fidel Castro.
“What I Know for Sure,” immediately pulled me in. I was deeply moved by his honesty and his courageous spirit that ultimately made me think about my life and what I can accomplish. What I know for sure is that this book is a great read for anyone facing adversity or challenges in their own life and need a little inspiration.
Thanks Tavis.
Tavis has a straight from the heart talk about his life experiences which makes him the man he is today. In this book he shares the poverty, the ambition, the pain and atonement that shaped his world.
I enjoyed reading this book; it gave me inspiration and educated me at the same time. The book was concise and easy to read; as Tavis delved into his life so intimately.
The book begins with Tavis as a young boy who lived in a trailer with his nine siblings; attended predominantly white schools; and a strict Pentecostal church. He grew up feeling like an outsider because of the color of his skin, and his family’s economic status.
Tavis had a love for words and while in his English class, he came alive when hearing Dr. King’s speech “I Have a Dream” for the first time. He understood the power and the symbolic language used in it. Dr. King’s other speeches touch Tavis as well, he stated, Dr. King’s words “reflected my pride in the courageous brilliance of a leader outspoken in conveying our purpose and passion”. He talks about how Dr. King influences his life on so many levels. First by showing him words have meaning and that words are powerful.
Tavis writes; it was the love and support of his family that sustained him. But that trust and support was shattered when his father, in a moment of rage, beat him with an electrical cord, sending him to the hospital. Tavis was placed in foster care for a time, and it took him years to bridge the emotional gap between him and his parents.
Tavis rose above all circumstances, winning oratorical championships which led him on a different path. He understood the importance of an education and was determined to be enrolled and stay at Indiana University even without the financial support he needed. He briefly entered the political arena working with Mayor Tom Bradley’s Administration in Los Angeles. Determined to help poor and under represented African Americans. Later he became a Radio Commentator and a TV Talk Show Host and realized it was a way to influence public discourse and issues concerning African Americans. Tavis tells of him being fired from BET after being accused of disloyalty; he joins and then leaves NPR, which he scorns as “a private club for educated white people.” While at BET, he was insulted on-air by Russell Simmons, survived a bad romance and traveled to Cuba and met Fidel Castro.
“What I Know for Sure,” immediately pulled me in. I was deeply moved by his honesty and his courageous spirit that ultimately made me think about my life and what I can accomplish. What I know for sure is that this book is a great read for anyone facing adversity or challenges in their own life and need a little inspiration.
Thanks Tavis.
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