Includes an index.

"More than thirty-five years after the death of Martin Luther King, Jr., Americans wonder just how much of his dream has come true. Now renowned scholar and New York Times bestselling author Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. examines the surprising social and economic journey African Americans have made since the civil rights era. Using the interviews he conducted for his groundbreaking PBS series, Professor Gates introduces us to forty-four individuals from every segment of the African-American community - from Maya Angelou and Morgan Freeman to convict "Eric Edwards" and a single mother on Chicago's South Side. In their own candid, deeply felt words, each discusses what it means to be African American in the twenty-first century: the joys, the problems, the perils. Together, they reveal a community united by memory and culture yet divided by wealth and lack of opportunity... in an America still struggling to ensure true equality for all." (Book Cover)

CONTENTS:

Introduction

Part 1 Ebony Towers

The Good Soldier / Colin Powell

Chairman of the Board /
Vernon Jordan

House of Dreams / Franklin D. Raines

Corporate Man / Russell Simmons

Chess Master /
Maurice Ashley

Black and White Logic /
Dan Rose

Breaking Through / The Irvins

Living the Life / The Pearsons

Resume Stories / Lenora Fulani

Part 2 The Black Belt

Home / Morgan Freeman

Choices / Maya Angelou

Policing the South / James H. Bolden

Training Days / Sergeant Major Kenneth Wilcox

Keys to the City /
Willie W. Herenton

Word of God / The Reverend Dr. R. Lawton Higgs, Sr.

The Big House / Carmen Johnson

"Why Not?" / Deirdre Wolff Jerald Wolff

Color-Blind / Lura Chris

Part 3 Black Hollywood

Different Stories / Chris Tucker

In Character / Samuel L. Jackson

Changing Minds, Breaking Even / Arnon Milchan

Independent Means / Reginald Hudlin

How It's Done / Alicia Keys

Life Purpose / Nia Long

Excellence /
Don Cheadle

Living in the Community / John Singleton

Action /
Reggie Bythewood

Action / Reggie Bythewood

The Buddy /
Darnell Hunt

The Chameleon / Bernie Mac

The Bonus / Larry Wilmore

Part 4 Streets of Heaven: Chicago's South Side

Restitution, Reinvestment / Jesse L. Jackson

Looking Back, Looking Up / Timuel D. Black

Twirling for Success / Elaine Rhodes

A Mother's Story / Tammie Cathery

Finding Their Way /
The Massenbergs

Revolving Door / Clark Clemons

One Prisoner's Story / Kalais Chiron Hunt

Ticket to Success / Dr. Emiel Hamberlin

A Different Version / Jason Smith

Index