Take a Lesson

Nothing instructs like true stories of hard work in pursuit of big dreams despite even bigger hurdles. And nothing inspires like hearing directly from those who overcame those hurdles to triumph over tough odds. In this updated and revised edition of Take a Lesson: Today's Black Achievers on How They Made It and What They Learned Along the Way, journalist and master interviewer Caroline Clarke delivers an oral history of black achievement every bit as groundbreaking as the original 2001 edition. The author explores powerful, first-person accounts of Black success through intimate and candid interviews with super-achievers from a variety of industries and backgrounds--and weaves them into practical narratives that enlighten, empower, and fortify. While there are often parallels in the mostly undocumented experiences Black professionals endure, no two stories are the same and no victory-however well deserved-is ever guaranteed. So these contemporary case studies in confidence, career strategy, resiliency, creativity, and persistence are essential to understanding the Black quest for achievement, as well as its unique costs. With updated interviews from some of the trailblazing corporate executives featured in the original book, as well as a crop of younger powerbrokers shaped by a different but no less divided world, each chapter contains critically important messages for coming generations of strivers. Take a Lesson will encourage and energize readers who are eager to set--and realize--ambitious goals. It's the perfect resource for students and Black professionals trying to find their way at work and in life. It's also an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to gain perspective on the modern day plight of people of color on their path ever forward in business, and beyond.