What I Know for Sure: My Story of Growing Up in America

by Tavis Smiley

Book Overview

From the man who catapulted the Covenant with Black America to number one on the New York Times bestseller list comes a searing memoir of poverty, ambition, pain and atonment. Tavis Smiley grew up in... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385505167
• ISBN13: 9780385505161
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Doubleday Books
• Length: 260 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

In Everything There is a Lesson and a Blessing

Tavis Smiley, renowned author, journalist, radio and television commentator of talk shows at BET, NPR and Public Television, has written several books of social and political commentary. Some are observations on the African American community, advice to young people or social and political thought. In this, his tenth book, Smiley with the assistance of distinguished biographer David Ritz, finally tells his story in What I Know For Sure: My Story of Growing Up in America. Tavis was born in Gulfport, Mississippi and as a toddler, he and his family moved to Bunker Hill, Indiana, a depressed working class town of cornfields and white trailer families. In fact, his thirteen member family lived in a three bedroom trailer, one of only a few black families in the area. There were ten children, including four cousins the family adopted when their mother, his mother's sister was tragically killed. Smiley's mother became involved with the Pentecostal church which would be responsible for shaping him for life. The family went to church seven days a week, precluding him, a precocious, curious and talkative child, from participating in extracurricular and after school activities. In addition he and his brothers worked for the family custodial business. His parents believed anything outside of the provincial, secluded church life they were involved in was sinful and not with keeping of their standards. And it was in church where he had his first real test of betrayal, hurt and pain that would mark him for the rest of his life. Rather than let the humiliation and scars define him, Smiley turned a horrifying experience into a determination to rise above it. His beloved Big Mama, his maternal grandmother, taught him in everything there is a lesson and a blessing--a lesson to be learned and a blessing to be earned even in the toughest situations. When Smiley was in Oakland in early November before a large crowd at Allen Temple Baptist Church, he said this was a difficult book to write as he had to not only reveal humiliating information about his family but he had to look into himself and reveal some of his flaws and shortcomings. He said that at first he felt it was presumptuous of him to write a memoir at his age (early 40s) but he was encouraged and wanted to tell his story up to this point. Smiley addresses his infamous firing at BET, his experiences at NPR and praises people who have helped him along the way of which there were many including his mentor Dr. Cornel West. Always on the case, Smiley gave one million dollars to Texas Southern University's school of journalism that is now named after him. He has also given the proceeds from the New York times best seller, The Covenant of Black America, a treatise on improving the African American community, back to the black-owned Third World Press which published the book. Smiley's memoir was a lesson in perseverance, the rewards of hard work and of giving and receiving forgiveness. It will inspire and moti

A Pleasent Surprise - you should read this book

I am white, grew up in a small Ohio town with no blacks, went in the Marine Corp, my first exposure to the black community you might say then spent a couple decades in Corporate America as our country has moved along from the sixties and the appropriate black activities of the time. I have to say this book is a pleasent surprise. It has no big discussion on the whites that cause all their problems, it is just a downright honest book about one life lived well. Sometimes Tavis arrogance comes through and I imagine there are those along the way that would have some say about that but it doesnt matter. This book outlines a black success story against incredible odds but more importantly it is an American success story. You can all learn alot about growing up black and growing up impoverished in America as I did from this. More importantly Tavis outlines how we can forgive and love one another which is most important. Great book and a greater person.

Inspiring Must Read!!!!

What I Know for Sure is that Tavis Smiley's testimony and transparency through this book was a refreshing read. He is a prolific speaker and a voice for this generation. I applaud him for allowing us to share intimately into his life. I was deeply moved by his honesty in retelling the experiences that shaped the man we now see today. The candidness expressed in each chapter allowed us to witness the forces that birth his purpose and propelled his drive, ambition, and advocacy. His love for people was greatly evident. This book is a must read not just for African-Americans but for anyone who has faced adversity, challenges and trying circumstances in life. Greatly inspiring!

A Must Read!

Who is Tavis Smiley? Initially Tavis' prominence in the media led me to think this guy was just a 'talking-head' - a person simply trying to find a means to move up in this world. However, years have shown me I was wrong. Tavis Smiley is a man of conviction. I have witnessed his passion and service and have been an indirect recipient of its affects. His book "What I Know For Sure" shows that he is indeed a man of great determination and drive - and yes, he is in fact trying to go somewhere. Yet, the beauty of the story and his life is that he desires to take a nation of folks with him. I greatly appreciate Tavis for having the courage to share his trials and triumphs with the public. It was refreshing to read a story where a Black man's battles were not with drugs or sex, but with deeper elements that tend to birth destructive surface habits that deceivedly garner too much of our attention. The deeper issues are: How do we navigate our spirituality and poverty, or better yet, our spirituality and our God given gifts? Is one married to the other? Does one negate the other? Are there gifts to be used in religious confines, and then others meant for worldly consumption? How do we as African Americans mature in mind to understand that "God so loved the WORLD..." that he gave gifts? Gifts to be used to open college doors, and business opportunities, and platforms for change -for a freeing of His people... "What I Know For Sure" is a great, easy-flowing story. I am requiring my 17 year old son to read it. I will give it as a gift to my nephews, brother, and brother-in-law. I plan to send it to my childhood friend who is now in prison. In fact, it is my hope that everyone who struggles to define, understand, or find evidence of " Black MAN" in today's society, might read this book, read "Yellow Black" by Haki Madhubuti, "The Pact" by Davis, Jenkins and Hunt, and Denzel Washington's new book, "A Hand To Guide Me." These books speak to contemporary situations, and will undoubtedly prove to be as relevant for this period of time as "Souls of Black Folks", "Black Boy" and "Invisible Man" were for theirs. Great work Tavis!

Brother Tavis Smiley is the Truth

I've always dug & Respected Tavis Smiley big time. I've always respected his Vast Knowledge & Ability to communicate & be direct & just do his thing. this Book takes you back to his upbringing. this Book pulls no punches about what he dealt with as a Young Black Man growing up in a Household of a Large family,also dealing with getting whippings(this was the Pre-Pre Time-Out Era which back in the day only applied to Sports Games)and dealing with his own self in the Process. everybody sees & Hears the Success,but not many people are aware of the struggle this Man had to endure & the many lasting images & things he had to deal with Mentally. I applad Brother Tavis Smiley for not being afraid to settting the Record Straight. this Book will hit you in so many ways & depending on your own upbringing it might be close to your own story. I can relate to it big time.Tavis doesn't back down to BET or NPR Either.Tavis without a doubt is one of the most Important Voices out here. he keeps it real & this Book is very direct & real.