Introduction: Family matters -- Prefatory notes on the African slave trade -- Maya Angelou -- Quincy Jones -- Morgan Freeman -- Tina Turner -- Peter J. Gomes -- Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot -- Tom Joyner -- Benjamin Carson -- Oprah Winfrey -- Whoopi Goldberg -- Mae Jemison -- T.D. Jakes -- Linda Johnson Rice -- Kathleen Henderson -- Jackie Joyner-Kersee -- Don Cheadle -- Chris Rock -- Bliss Broyard -- Chris Tucker -- How to trace your own roots

The distinguished scholar examines the origins and history of African-American ancestry as he profiles nineteen noted African Americans and illuminates their individual family sagas throughout U.S. history

ALA Black Caucus Award for Outstanding Contribution to Publishing Citation, 2010