"... Butler's recollections of the racially segregated 'chitlin circuit, ' the early days of the civil rights movement and fellow performers like Dinah Washington, Little Willie John and Dionne Warwick are fascinating and insightful.... Only the Strong Survive makes one wish it came with a soundtrack." --The New York Times Book Review " Only the Strong Survive] presents a portrait of a remarkable performer, as well as an up-close and personal look at the world of rhythm and blues from the perspective of an insider.... A moving chronicle of one of America's music pioneers." --Chicago Tribune "More than an autobiography, Only the Strong Survive is also a glimpse at the political and social climate of the times which shaped the life of one man." --Ebony
Part sports star, part antihero, part hip-hop icon, Allen Iverson has managed to cross over into the mainstream of American culture -- without compromise. Defiantly tattooed, with his hair in cornrows, the six-foot Philadelphia 76ers point guard is one of the most recognizable and controversial stars of the sports world. His meteoric rise from a troubled childhood in the ghetto to NBA superstardom has been marked by five straight playoff appearances, including a finals berth in 2001 and an MVP award. From his rap sheet to his rap album, fans and journalists alike hound his every move. But never before has a biographer presented a full portrait of this complicated and intensely private star -- a man whose loyalty to his family, the streets, and his friends trumps any other concern. Filled with exclusive interview material and unprecedented access to many of Iverson's inner circle, Only the Strong Survive is the first in-depth look at the truth behind this newly minted legend.
What makes me able to write this book? At nine years old I was sexually abused and forced to live my life as if nothing ever happened. I was afraid, ashamed, and confused. I thought a mother's job was to protect her children, but my mother took part in the abuse. Through it I learned how to pray. I asked God for help. Then I began writing about the abuse and I promised myself that when I became a mother that my children would never know such sickness. I vowed to make a difference in every life that I came in contact with. Personal statement: Four years ago I took a look at myself. I wanted to be a better person, I was known as being mean. I had no patience for much of anything. I know now that it was due to all that I went through as a child. I wasn't happy. I was use to doing what needed to be done like a mother taking care of her children, homework, cooking, keeping the kids safe and showing them that life has many things to offer. Never allowing Sabrina to be Sabrina. I was lost I didn't know who Sabrina was. I took care of my three younger siblings as if I was their mother, then at sixteen years old I had my own child the first of my five children. I just wanted to be whole and true to myself and be able to help anyone I could. I knew I had something to give but I needed to be complete from within and I've reached that point. Writing Only the Strong Survive has helped me in many ways and I want to help as many people as I can to understand that they are not alone.
My military career would be from February 28, 1956 to March 31, 1976. My Air Force specialty code was 65170-Procurment Supervisor, secondary specialty was 64570, Inventory Management Supervisor, which was a political correct name for the Supply Sergeant or NCOIC. I worked in about every field in the service part of Air Force from Physical Ed. Instructor to teaching warfare technique. I always had a great group people and we were successful, because I was able to always teach respect for one another, which led to a good outfit. Great leaders are born and I was a damn good leader of human beings! I would have been great in the military or civilian life, but the military was able to give me my discipline and organizational skills to accomplish any task given, because with my faith, prayer and the knowledge that I am who I am, I knew I could do anything that I was able to do to completion! I was top of my NCO leadership school, and top of the NCO Academy. I was one of the first to enter a one year school in N.Y. called the Blue Suiter Program Military Group for the first computer system to be operated by military personnel, the UNIVAC 1050 computer system for the Air Force (1964). My job was NCOIC of 100, 000 line items (spare parts) for the complete system. Procurement school, Lowry AFB, Denver Colorado, I held a GPA of 4.0 and was class president. There was a college ECI course through the University of Maryland. I completed 71 courses in other career fields as an Airman that I was in charge of. I knew as much about other missions as other folks did. I also completed all the other 27 courses and related jobs of my career field, which gave me enough credits for a BA college degree! Some of my accomplishments were EOC NCOIC, Commissioner of the 5 BX Program, Exercise and Diet base level, Base schools and all squadron activity to operate a Base. My Masonic Order and my involvement as a captain of the semi-pro football team gave a platform to involve the Base and the city in football, flag football, softball, baseball, bowling, little and pony leagues (8-14 yr old boys after school football program) for training if there grade point average were up to a 3.0, a Thanksgiving Program for the needy every November, a program for the disadvantage kids, which included seven Masonic brothers as big brother and role models. If they had a problem they would call their best troubleshooter and I was always successful, because I treated each person as a human being and with respect, not as cattle. Decorations and Awards: VSM w/2 BSS, RVSM, AFOVA, AFGCM w/3 OLC, AFLSA w/4 OLC, AFM 900-3. There would have been other medals if I had showed up for the award ceremonies. I would not accept the damn medals if I was not accepted as human being or as a patriot in this racist system. I was never promoted passed the rank of Technical Sgt/ E-6, because I could not in good conscience stay out of the movement for the rights of all humans, not just my Black Pride, which was also on display, so the Air Force has labeled me as a Communist Agitator.
Is it possible to embrace suffering as a privilege, rather than a punishment? Beloved authors Katherine and Jay Wolf offer readers the bold invitation to trust a known God with an unknown future, as well as practical insights into surviving anything by redefining how we think about everything. After miraculously surviving a near-fatal brainstem stroke at age 26, as told in their memoir, Hope Heals, life for Katherine and Jay Wolf changed forever - and so did the way they viewed God, the world, and themselves in it. There was no going back to normal after such a tragedy. Yet Katherine and Jay learned that suffering is not the end, but rather the beginning of a new story. In Suffer Strong, they invite us into this new story as they share universal lessons and helpful practices that will help us to: Recognize we are being equipped for an uncommon assignment, not cursed by our story. Transform our unmet expectations into brave anticipations. Disrupt the myth that joy can only be found in a pain-free life. Rewrite the narrative of hard circumstances by turning our definitions of suffering into declarations of strength. And, ultimately, thrive even in the lives we never imagined living.
Preston Pickett is the Co-author of Success Starts today with Jack Canfield; author of Best Selling Series-"Chicken Soup for the Soul". Preston has received letters from the Congress of the United States to help with our homeless veterans who suffer from PTSD. And has been personally acknowledged for his work with the Vets by local Non-Profits in the area such as The Veterans group. Preston attended the Pennsylvania State University Main Campus. His freshman year he was President of M.E.C.A (multi ethnical cultural association) and received an award from the Pennsylvania Conference on Higher Education, was secretary of SGA, member of the PSU power cougar club, member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity Inc., award recipient for Outstanding Boxer of the Penn State Boxing Open tournament, Orleans Tech student of the Month and The Community Advocates for Children and Youth 1st place Team winner at their golf fundraiser tournament. Who's Who labeled Mr. Pickett someone to watch. Delta Theta Alumni awarded Mr. Pickett a Custom Only Fraternity jacket for helping the organization purchase a Fraternity house for the younger brothers and donating $120,000 for the cause and served on the committee....He is someone who helped the younger college kids achieve and supported the cause." Preston volunteered at Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta and received the Best Team Member badge for his fun personality and going above and beyond to make everyone laugh and enjoy the experience. Preston has spoke at Light of the World Christian Academy in Atlanta to the youth and left the kids with one Mission. To change the Narrative. Preston was also a member of the Dicks & Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency. Before the pandemic was asked to join the promotional tour in New York's Time Square and be interviewed by ABC, CBS, NBC, WSJ, USA Today and FOX News. Preston grew up on welfare in the projects of North Philadelphia "Abbotsford Projects", where he witnessed those around him being murdered and imprisoned. Mr. Pickett moved to SouthWest Philadelphia where his Mother was murdered due to a break in. After going to live with his Father in Norristown. College became his only way out; he took advantage of his opportunity there that forever changed his life. He was the President of M.E.C.A a student organization, Penn State Boxing Team and joined a Fraternity amongst other things that involved Leadership. He started his first business out of college flipping houses. After helping the Alumni secure a Fraternity House. Things took off and he soon became the Vice President of a HomeVestor's Franchise. After doing over 100 deals and going thru the great recession of 2005. Mr. Pickett lost it all and went bankrupt. But God had a plan for his life. He packed up and moved to Atlanta, got a fresh new start. As a professional speaker and author Mr. Pickett got back up after being knocked down, learned some hard lessons and now has Purpose and gained his stride. Founder of 3P Legacy Partners Inc. Mr. Pickett likes to donate money to students without Mothers, a Non Profit here in Atlanta and give back as much wisdom as he possibly can to the next generation. For fun, Preston likes to travel, hit the beach, listen to music, and read magazines.
Andy Grove, founder and former CEO of Intel shares his strategy for success as he takes the reader deep inside the workings of a major company in Only the Paranoid Survive. Under Andy Grove's leadership, Intel became the world's largest chip maker and one of the most admired companies in the world. In Only the Paranoid Survive, Grove reveals his strategy for measuring the nightmare moment every leader dreads--when massive change occurs and a company must, virtually overnight, adapt or fall by the wayside--in a new way. Grove calls such a moment a Strategic Inflection Point, which can be set off by almost anything: mega-competition, a change in regulations, or a seemingly modest change in technology. When a Strategic Inflection Point hits, the ordinary rules of business go out the window. Yet, managed right, a Strategic Inflection Point can be an opportunity to win in the marketplace and emerge stronger than ever. Grove underscores his message by examining his own record of success and failure, including how he navigated the events of the Pentium flaw, which threatened Intel's reputation in 1994, and how he has dealt with the explosions in growth of the Internet. The work of a lifetime, Only the Paranoid Survive is a classic of managerial and leadership skills.
