Customer Reviews

Black Power Inc.: The New Voice of Success

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Black Power Inc. may use the phrase, post civil rights generation, but we all know who the audience for this book is. Perhaps we - as a generation - have been blindly focused on achieving success in all the fields that were arrayed before us by the previous generations' political activity, but this book gives us credit for keeping our success (and that march toward success) in the context of all the work that has come before. This book is a definite feel good for those of us - African Americans born post the assassination of MLK - who have wondered, as we wander through the power hallways of the white world, "am I the only one here?"

Black Power Inc. is an inspirational text, one that said to me, "Fear not! Your Sisters and Brothers have joined the fight and they will not be dissuaded, deterred or defeated by the armies of our enemies."

The book is great! I applaud Cora Daniels for bringing our feelings as Black, strong corporate men and women to the masses. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to truly understand how African Americans affect and strengthen the business world either through their strenghth of innovation or entrepreneurship.

Reading the book felt like one of the venting sessions that I need every now and then to keep my sanity. The book was a reflection of the many experiences that I have had and also have witnessed. It was nice to feel that I was not alone and that there is an answer out there and our generation will help find it.

What more can I say about this book that hasn't already been said by the other gracious reviewers... except read it. If you want to know what it's like to be a black person age 25 - 40 and work in Corporate America then READ THIS BOOK. If you want to know what your African American co-workers are going through daily then READ THIS BOOK. If you are responsible for a diversity program at a fortune 500 company then please READ THIS BOOK. If you are a Sista and you plan to enter Corporate America then READ THIS BOOK. Finally, if you are "Working While Black" then READ THIS BOOK... I promise it will make you feel better and increase your drive to succeed in spite of the circumstances.

Black Power, Inc. is the book for which I've been waiting for quite some time. Daniels covers the real thought process of today's black professional, being a continuation of the previous generation's achievements, yet something altogether different. Today's black professional sees him/herself as a freedom fighter of a different brand, with corporate and entrepreneurial success as the new 'cause'. As I read this book, I found myself shouting 'Yes!' and 'Finally!' at the thought that there were actually others in the professional world who thought like me. The poignant analysis of the post-civil rights generation and its prevailing thought process was everything I needed to give me perspective and understanding of what my real purpose for acheivement has always been. If you are a young, striving, achieving, believing, competent, and driven black professional, this book is for you. This book IS you.

I must say that Cora Daniels is very insightful as she brings a voice to of us who are "Working While Black" I found myself nodding in affirmation to a lot of the things she made mention of. I discuss situations like the one's addressed in this book on a regular basis with friends and old college classmates. It is amazing how our careers span out over different professions not to mention cities and states yet we still can recall similar incidents. This book is a definite read if you are "Working While Black" or if you are not Black and wish to gain some insight into how your Black colleagues may feel.

The book is great because it has a ton and half of research and anecdotes, but it reads like you're just getting a letter from a friend, very easy, funny, stylish and personal.

Black Power Inc. has two key ingredients that make it a success: access and identity. Using both, Ms. Daniels carries us into the minds and offices of today's corporate leaders, who happen to be black, and rising stars, who don't apologize for it. This isn't a book of case studies or educated assumptions - generic statistics are replaced by real people in candid conversation. The book's pace is swift and easy. It's tone is intimate and personal. One of my favorite testimonies came from a brother named Sean Hudson.

If you've ever wondered why this generation of black professionals is so different from the one that came before them, there is something here for you. If you've ever thought that you were the only black professional feeling the way that you feel, there is something here for you. If you've ever wondered why the young, black men and women working for you seem to be on their own program, there is something here for you, too. But, don't expect this book to answer all of your questions...it will raise more than it resolves. It did for me. And that, after all, is Ms. Daniel's point. She says as much in the section called, "Last Thoughts...for Now."

The thing which brings this book the best form of credibility is Mrs. Daniels had access to the very subjects of the book. While I was reading it, I laughed, sighed, shook my head, smiled and many other feelings and words (some of which I cannot repeat) came out of me. For me, this was something I've seen for a while now. I'm happy I am not the only one who has felt these things and seen the things which were discussed in the book. It is not a pipe dream: the author, as well as the people she interviewed, don't give us a 1+1=2 solution to the condition of the corporate world for young Black Americans, because it would not be realistic. I would recommend this to any young Black American (or the old-school cats for that matter) who is looking to take that step to corporate America. It will open eyes for some and re-inforce existing ideas for others.