Sepia Dreams. (nonfiction reviews).Sepia Dreams by Matthew Jordan Smith St. Martin's Press, November 2001, $29.95 ISBN 0-312-27817-9 Poet Langston Hughes Noun 1. Langston Hughes - United States writer (1902-1967) James Langston Hughes, Hughes posed an intriguing philosophical question that is still relevant today: "What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun A Raisin in the Sun is a play by Lorraine Hansberry that debuted on Broadway in 1959. The story is based upon Hansberry's own experiences growing up in Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood. ?" Perhaps the answer lies in the faces and stories of celebrity photographer Matthew Jordan Smith's new book, Sepia Dreams: A Celebration of Black Achievement Through Words and Images. Sepia Dreams brings to life the dreams realized by 50 of our most celebrated African-American sisters and brothers with its stories of personal triumph. The first-person narratives includes Hollywood stars Lena Horne Noun 1. Lena Horne - United States singer and actress (born in 1917) Lena Calhoun Horne, Horne , Samuel L. Jackson “Samuel Jackson” redirects here. For the senator from Indiana, see Samuel D. Jackson. Samuel Leroy Jackson (born December 21, 1948) is an American Academy Award-nominated and BAFTA-winning actor. , Gordon Parks, Vanessa Williams and Halle Berry to name a few. Music artists Smokey Robinson, Maxwell, Missy Elliott, CeCe Winans and mogul Russell Simmons are also included along with writers Susan L. Taylor, Terry McMillan and E. Lynn Harris E. Lynn Harris is an Black American author, (b. June 20, 1955). Harris writes primarily about African American men on the down low or in the closet; Harris confirmed that he is a homosexual. He lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas and Atlanta, Georgia. . The introduction by singer-actress and former Miss America Vanessa Williams invites us to "sit back and savor the unique stories and uncommon strengths that Sepia Dreams has to offer." Lena Horne talks about maintaining dignity, while photographer and film director Gordon Parks talks about the importance of fearlessness. Every story offers a glimpse into remarkable lives and the phenomenal careers of some of the most celebrated African Americans. Indeed, the book encourages us all to be introspective in·tro·spect intr.v. in·tro·spect·ed, in·tro·spect·ing, in·tro·spects To engage in introspection. [Latin intr and reconsider our commitment and purpose. Jordan's Sepia Dreams offers hope and inspiration without romanticizing. More importantly, it reminds those of us who have ever second-guessed our choices in life, what can happen when dreams are not deferred. --Kenya N. Byrd is the entertainment editor at essence.com. |
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