Sepia Dreams A Celebration of Black Achievement Through Words and Images

by Smith, Matthew Jordan; Williams, Vanessa; Bennett, Dionne

• ISBN13: 9780312278175
• ISBN10: 0312278179
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-11-13
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Summary

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.

Author Biography

Matthew Jordan Smith is one of the most prominent photographers of celebrities in entertainment today. His work has appeared in such publications as Essence, GQ, Vibe, In Style, Mademoiselle, and People. Matthew has also contributed to several notable books, such as Lloyd Boston's Men of Color, Sam Fine's Fine Beauty, and Tyra Banks' Tyra Beauty Inside and Out. A graduate of the Art Institute of Atlanta, Matthew taught at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan and volunteers as a photography mentor for the New York City Board of Education in his spare time.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xi
Introduction	p. xv
Ambition: karl kani	p. 1
Balance: susan I. taylor	p. 4
Beauty: lela rochon	p. 9
Blessings: smokey robinson	p. 12
Community: tyson beckford	p. 17
Competitiveness: reggie miller	p. 20
Confidence: taye diggs	p. 25
Determination: dominique dawes	p. 28
Devotion: loretta devine	p. 33
Dignity: lena horne	p. 36
Discernment: boris kodjoe	p. 41
Encouragement: star jones	p. 44
Endurance: samuel I. jackson	p. 49
Enthusiasm: robert townsend	p. 52
Faith: tommy davidson	p. 57
Fearlessness: gordon parks	p. 60
Focus: russell simmons	p. 65
Gratitude: patti labelle	p. 68
Growth: maxwell	p. 73
Image: tyra banks	p. 76
Independence: shaun robinson	p. 81
Individuality: leon robinson	p. 84
Inspiration: kenny lattimore	p. 89
Integrity: halle berry	p. 92
Joy: gregory hines	p. 97
Legacy: iman	p. 100
Mothers and mentors: monica	p. 105
Movement: debbie allen	p. 108
Opportunity: holly robinson-peete	p. 113
Overtime: ray allen	p. 116
Passion: nicole ari parker	p. 121
Patience: vivica a. fox	p. 124
Paying dues: suzanne de passe	p. 129
Potential: phylicia rashad	p. 132
Preparation: n'bushe wright	p. 137
Purpose: malik yoba	p. 140
Refinement: lynn whitfield	p. 145
Resilience: vanessa williams	p. 148
Resourcefulness: terry mcmillan	p. 153
Respect: eriq la salle	p. 156
Responsibility: blair underwood	p. 161
Self-acceptance: e. lynn harris	p. 164
Self-mastery: bill t. jones	p. 169
Stamina: jackie joyner-kersey	p. 172
Struggle: veronica webb	p. 177
Surrender: rupaul	p. 180
Teamwork: rick fox	p. 185
Tenacity: b. smith	p. 188
Uniqueness: missy elliott	p. 193
The word: cece winans	p. 196
Acknowledgments	p. 201
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