Keeping the Faith
Stories of Love, Courage, Healing, and Hope from Black America
Chapter One
What Black Love Is ...
Tavis Smiley
The concept of Black love is how this book came to be. Yes, so many
of the stories are about overcoming and succeeding against the odds.
But the real and true theme underlying the book is Black love.
I came up with the idea of putting together this book after I was
fired from Black Entertainment Television (BET). Prior to being
fired, I thought I knew something about Black love. But after I lost
my job, the outpouring of Black love shown to me, from California to
the Carolinas, was phenomenal. It was Black love that lifted me
during the darkest moment of my professional career. It was Black
love that lifted me out of my despair. I discovered that, outside of
God's love, nothing is more powerful.
One of the greatest challenges we face as Black people is whether or
not we can take the notion of Black love and use it proactively, as
opposed to reactively. Black love is a powerful force. The Black
community has a way of coming together and rescuing each other and
lifting each other up when someone ... read full excerpt from: Keeping the Faith ebook
