Black Pain identifies emotional pain -- which uniquely and profoundly affects the Black experience -- as the root of lashing out through desperate acts of crime, violence, drug and alcohol abuse, eating disorders, workaholism, and addiction to shopping, gambling, and sex. Few realize these destructive acts are symptoms of our inner sorrow.

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to get rich easily, while others are destined for a life of financial struggle? Is the difference found in their education, intelligence, skills, timing, work habits, contacts, luck, or their choice of jobs, businesses, or investments? The shocking answer is: None of the above!

As the mother of hip-hop superstar Kanye West, Donda West has watched her son grow from a brilliant baby boy with all the intimations of fame and fortune to one of the hottest rappers on the music scene. In Raising Kanye, Donda not only pays homage to her famous son but reflects on all the things she learned about being his mother along the way.

Brian Curtis is the co-founder
of M2M4Him Enterprises. He consults, speaks and trains on educational and manhood planning.

Janice Brown Holland is a native of Suffolk, Virginia. She has been a member of the Alpha Theta chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an organization for outstanding women educators, since 1980.