The Black List

What does it mean to be an accomplished, well-known African-American at the time of the first U.S. black president? Award-winning journalist and critic Elvis Mitchell seeks out the best and the brightest in the hope of turning a negative term from the last century--"black list"--into a positive phrase for the new century. In this companion piece to the print book and HBO documentary, Mitchell sets up each interview with a brief history and then delves right into the insightful and inspiring struggles of people like former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Reverend Al Sharpton, comedian Chris Rock, and others. He gently prods his subjects to reveal a variety of wisdom and experiences, including making it in the diamond-hard world of rock music with Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash. R.O. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

September 29, 2008
Mitchell's project with photographer Greenfield was to “track the black experience in America and by doing so, to exhibit the wealth and variety in it.” Their interviews with 25 prominent African-Americans became a book and an 87-minute HBO documentary. (The audiobook trims back on contributors; although they are listed on the packaging, there are no chats with Def Jam Records founder Russell Simmons, Tuskegee airman William Rice or record producer Steve Stoute.) Mitchell introduces the book before each subject is given a few minutes to speak “at length about their wishes, their battles, their anxieties and fulfilling their goals.” There are no dull spots among the tightly edited monologues, just eloquent, engaging and inspiring speakers, including Toni Morrison, Chris Rock, Colin Powell, Faye Wattleton, Keenan Ivory Wayans, Zane, Al Sharpton and Louis Gossett Jr. The inspiring and illuminating voices are supported by a lulling musical score by Neal Evans. An Atria hardcover (reviewed online).