About the Book

Tavis Smiley grew up in a family of thirteen in a small trailer in Indiana, where money was scarce and the sight of other black faces even scarcer. One of only a few African American kids in his high school, he grew up feeling like an outsider because of the color of his skin, his Pentecostal religious beliefs, and his family's economic circumstances. 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 chasm between him and his parents.
Nothing, however, could quench Tavis's fierce inner drive to succeed. His remarkable speaking ability made him an oratorical champion in Indiana and offered him a pathway to a different world. Determined to fight for the underdog and for African American rights, he entered the political arena, moving to Los Angeles to work in Mayor Tom Bradley's administration. Later, he embarked on his career as a radio commentator, discovering that it was an ideal way to influence public discourse on the issues of the day. Now with his own show on PBS, he remains committed to bettering the lives of all Americans; he's especially acclaimed for his work on behalf of people of color and the underprivileged.
An honest, deeply moving self-portrait of one of America's most popular media figures, "What I Know for Sure" should appeal to readers everywhere.

Product Details

Media: Hardcover Book, 349 pages

Language: English

Publisher: Random House Large Print Publishing

Edition: Unknown

ISBN-10: 0375433961

Publication Date: Unknown

ISBN-13: 9780375433962

Dimensions: 6.42 x 9.50 x 1.22 inches

Shipping Weight: 1.21 lbs

• Categories: Cultural Heritage Biography & Cultural Heritage Autobiography Discrimination and Racism