Helen Plum Library

A product of a profound journey of self-knowledge, and a reckoning with all that your will can get you and all that it can leave behind, in this memoir, one of the most dynamic and globally recognized entertainment forces of our time opens up fully about his life Will Smith's transformation from a West Philadelphia kid to one of the biggest rap stars of his era, and then one of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood history, is an epic tale-- but it's...

"When I Was Your Age is a hilarious, heartwarming and surprising ode to growing up, getting older and wiser, and luck, life, and learning from the school of hard knocks, from SNL's longest-serving actor, Kenan Thompson"-- Thompson provides an ode to growing up, getting older and wiser, and learning from the school of hard knocks. He is the longest-ever-service cast member of Saturday Night Live, as well as the survivor of early 2000s television programs...

"As a six-foot-two, dreadlocked black man, Tyler Merritt knows that getting too close to the wrong person can get him killed. But he also believes that proximity can be a cure for racism. Tyler Merritt's video "Before You Call the Cops" has been viewed more than 59 million times. He's appeared on Jimmy Kimmel and Sports Illustrated and has been profiled in the New York Times. The viral video's main point--that the more you know someone, the more empathy,...

"Before Billy Porter was slaying red carpets and giving an iconic Emmy-winning performance in the celebrated TV show Pose; before he was the groundbreaking Tony and Grammy Award-winning star of Broadway's Kinky Boots, ... Porter was a young boy in Pittsburgh who was seen as different, who didn't fit in. At five years old, Porter was sent to therapy to 'fix' his effeminacy. He was endlessly bullied at school, sexually abused by his stepfather, and...

This is Viola Davis' story, in her own words, and spans her incredible, inspiring life, from her coming-of-age in Rhode Island to her present day. Hers is a story of overcoming, a true hero's journey "In my book, you will meet a little girl named Viola who ran from her past until she made a life changing decision to stop running forever. This is my story, from a crumbling apartment in Central Falls, Rhode Island, to the stage in New York City, and...

"Actor Chadwick Boseman has starred in many films, portraying notably strong characters including baseball legend Jackie Robinson and superhero Black Panther. Even though Boseman's film career didn't start until he was in his 30s, he has worked hard for his success. In this enlightening biography, readers will learn about Boseman's upbringing, education, acting career, and more. Accessible text and photographs of Boseman on the red carpet highlight...

"When Michael K. Williams died on September 6, 2021, he left behind a career as one of the most electrifying actors of his generation. From his star turn as Omar Little in The Wire to Chalky White in Boardwalk Empire to Emmy-nominated roles in HBO's The Night Of and Lovecraft Country, Williams inhabited a slew of indelible roles that he portrayed with a rawness and vulnerability that leapt off the screen. Beyond the nominations and acclaim, Williams...

Denzel Washington is one of Hollywood's best-known actors and personalities. His role in the 2001 film Training Day earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. This entertaining biography explores the life and career of Denzel Washington. Chapters cover his early life, his rise to fame, and his pioneering work on the silver screen. Readers will appreciate the biography of this sensible, beloved, hardworking icon.

Una de las fuerzas más dinámicas y reconocidas en el mundo del entretenimiento nos muestra su vida en un libro valiente e inspirador donde se conjugan el éxito, la felicidad interior y la conexión humana. Will narra la historia de una de las trayectorias más extraordinarias de la música y el cine. Will Smith, un niño inseguro criado en el tenso Oeste de Filadelfia, se convirtió primero en una de las mayores estrellas del rap de su era y luego...

Provides informative biographical profiles of the important and influential persons of African American and/or black heritage. Covers persons of various nationalities in a wide variety of fields, including architecture, art, business, dance, education, fashion, film, industry, journalism, law, literature, medicine, music, politics and government, publishing, religion, science and technology, social issues, sports, television, theater, and others.