Black Magic

What Black Leaders Learned from Trauma and Triumph

By: Chad Sanders, Janina Edwards, Sydney Morton, Leon Nixon, Landon Woodson

Narrated by: Chad Sanders

A “daring, urgent, and transformative” (Brené Brown, New York Times bestselling author of Dare to Lead) exploration of Black achievement in a white world based on honest, provocative, and moving interviews with Black leaders, scientists, artists, activists, and champions.

“I remember the day I realized I couldn’t play a white guy as well as a white guy. It felt like a death sentence for my career.”

When Chad Sanders landed his first job in lily-white Silicon Valley, he quickly concluded that to be successful at work meant playing a certain social game. Each meeting was drenched in white slang and the privileged talk of international travel or folk concerts in San Francisco, which led Chad to believe he needed to emulate whiteness to be successful. So Chad changed. He changed his wardrobe, his behavior, his speech—everything that connected him with his Black identity.

And while he finally felt included, he felt awful. So he decided to give up the charade. He reverted to the methods he learned at the dinner table, or at the Black Baptist church where he’d been raised, or at the concrete basketball courts, barbershops, and summertime cookouts. And it paid off. Chad began to land more exciting projects. He earned the respect of his colleagues. Accounting for this turnaround, Chad believes, was something he calls Black Magic, namely resilience, creativity, and confidence forged in his experience navigating America as a Black man. Black Magic has emboldened his every step since, leading him to wonder: Was he alone in this discovery? Were there others who felt the same?

In “pulverizing, educational, and inspirational” (Shea Serrano, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Basketball (And Other Things)) essays, Chad dives into his formative experiences to see if they might offer the possibility of discovering or honing this skill. He tests his theory by interviewing Black leaders across industries to get their take on Black Magic. The result is a revelatory and essential book. Black Magic explores Black experiences in predominantly white environments and demonstrates the risks of self-betrayal and the value of being yourself.

Moved to tears several times

The author has a skill of story telling that was magnificent. This book made me feel like a whole person. It revealed beauty in a people many fail to recognize or give credit too. I found myself actually utilizing the book mark feature over and over again. Sisters in this book had some of the most profound, moving words but the men were equally as eloquent.

Must read

Great book i think everyone should read this. I appreciate hearing all of their experiences.

amazing

fantastic book, loved how the interviewees were in their own voices. great narrative and insights

Loved It!

This book was great! I loved how the author not only discussed his triumphs & hardships with his race but also had friends/colleagues share their experiences.
Black magic and black excellence all throughout!

An must Read/Listen

This book is an absolute must for all people of color. No matter your orientation. However, it is most refreshing to discover an experience of Black success and awareness from an orientation that differs from (respectfully) rags to riches. I am going to gift this book to every young Black man and woman I know. This is a senior high school / College course text and some. Chad develop a course! Thank you from the Suburbs. Well taught.