Spanning the time from emancipation of slaves to present day, Promise explores issues of race in America and how we arrived at this moment in our racial quandary.
Told through the author's eyes, it follows the transition from his introduction to racism as a child during the Jim Crow era and his struggle to overcome the physical and psychological barriers that often come with being Black in America-to being owner of two international corporations.
While managing to teach some important lessons, Promise also includes exciting and sometimes hilarious adventures; ranging from opening for, and performing with, such artists as Stevie Wonder, the Four Tops, and Bonnie Raitt to traveling the country fighting forest fires. It follows his life's surprising twists and turns-from facing off with the devil and seeking enlightenment-to being a successful business owner.
More than anything, this book and the experiences told, offers proof that given the chance, Black youths can rise to high levels of excellence; conversely, it also exposes the price society pays for ignoring them.