To tell a story well, you have to live a story well -- with courage, persistence, and faith that everything's going to turn out all right. Black-Eyed Peas for the Soul is a collection of stories that reveals universal themes, as well as the unique perspectives of African Americans. The first collection of its kind, Black-Eyed Peas for the Soul boldly dispels the myth of a homogeneous Black culture. Diverse voices -- including those of Zora Neale Hurston, Dawn Turner Trice, and Frederick Douglass -- tell our stories of beginnings, wisdom, patience, hard work, excellence, joy, and miracles. Stories about love, healing, and atonement are told with insight, humor, and gritty honesty. Arising from these distinct voices is the call for hope. Enjoy these stories and let them guide your soul to a place where you can find solace and draw nourishment, a place that can warm and soothe you, like a bowl of black-eyed peas.

To tell a story well, you have to live a story well -- with courage, persistence, and faith that everything's going to turn out all right. Black-Eyed Peas for the Soul is a collection of stories that reveals universal themes, as well as the unique perspectives of African Americans. The first collection of its kind, Black-Eyed Peas for the Soul boldly dispels the myth of a homogeneous Black culture. Diverse voices -- including those of Zora Neale Hurston, Dawn Turner Trice, and Frederick Douglass -- tell our stories of beginnings, wisdom, patience, hard work, excellence, joy, and miracles. Stories about love, healing, and atonement are told with insight, humor, and gritty honesty.

ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroductionStep 1: Buying the PeasOur heroine begins her lesson in the fine art of cooking a decent pot of black-eyed peas.WORLD UP!P. K. McCaryWHEN SOULS WERE MADEZora Neale HurstonSESSION NINEEstella Conwill MajozoULTIMATE FRONTIERAri BrownHOW TO GROW A BUSINESS AND A FAMILY FOR LOVE, LIVELIHOOD, AND THE REVOLUTIONChavunduka and Steve CobbTHE DARKNESS OF SPACE PRODUCED LIFEHonorable Elijah MuhammadBIRTH PAINS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENTRosa Parks and E. D. NixonONE DROP CAN CHANGE AN OCEANMary T. CarrHOW SKY AND EARTH BECAME ONE: A YORUBA CREATION STORYRalph Cheo Thurmon (Babaorisamola)Step 2: Sorting the PeasOur apprentice is taught how to discern the difference between a rock and a pea.RITUALIyanla VanzantFINDING A LEG TO STAND ONDwight Anthony McKeeMEETING THE GOD WITHINGettye IsraelA LESSON IN CONSCIOUSNESSHaki R. MadhubutiBACK TO THE COMMUNITYGeoffrey R. PeteHOW THE 40oz CAN IMPAIR GOOD JUDGEMENTAlfred "Coach" PowellTHE 42 PRINCIPLES OF MA'ATBandele PublicationsWHAT YOU THINK IS WHAT YOU GETJanice C. HodgeHow To SEARCH FOR TRUTHGeorge Washington CarverTHE BUS RIDE HOMEJauqo KellyA MOTHER'S REAFFIRMING LOVERon MitchellLESSONS LEARNED FROM FAILUREJames L. LasenbyLESSONS ON THE PLAYGROUND OF LIFEMichelle R. DunlapIN MY IMAGEJames WilliamsStep 3: Soaking the PeasOur cook learns patience as the peas soak in water.CROWING GLORYKecia LynnSHAKE IT UP!Stephanie J. GatesAUNTIES AND MAMAS To THE RESCUEJacqueline Joyner CissellA PLACE TO CALL MY OWNBeverly Phillips McLeodBREAKING THE RULESShirley ChisholmMARRIAGE 101Edward Allen, Jr.TAMING THE FIRE INSIDEBen MtunduHOW TO PICK A MANGO WHEN THERE'S A LIZARD IN THE WAYHyacinth A. WilliamsTO BOLDLY GONichelle NicholsStep 4. Cooking the PeasOur cook learns the fine art of putting her foot in the pot.FROM WELFARE TO SELF CAREDebora TutterrowWATCHI (RECIPE)Soul Vegetarian CookbookMy FATHER, JOHN NORTONKen NortonTEACHING SELF-WORTH THROUGH DANCERuth BeckfordME AND THE HEARTBEATSYvonne ButcheePICTURES ON THE WALLMoni AziboPLANTING SEEDS IN MY NEICES' GARDENDarline R. QuinnBASIC BLACK-EYED PEAS (RECIPE)Nora Young TurnerOPENING NIGHTHarry LennixSEXUAL BEATITUDESGloria Wade-GaylesNEW DIRECTIONSMaya AngelouStep 5: Eating the PeasAt the table, our cook learns the true meaning of nourishment and joy.A REMEDY FOR RACISMDick GregoryLESSONS IN JOY FROM THE BIONIC WOMANRuth BeckfordA FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE HOSPITALStephanie J. GatesFINDING THE PROPER JOYBertice BerryHAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!John TurkA WELL EARNED JOYFrederick DouglassCREATING JOYSarah and Bessie DelanyTHE SUMMER THE FATHER BECAME A MOTHERRalph Cheo ThurmonMAKING PEOPLE LAUGHMorrie TurnerStep 15: NappingOur cook sleeps and dreams after a satisfying meal.A WAY OUT OF NO WAYAndrew YoungGRANNY'S BAGAtaraANGELS OF LIGHT AND LOVEY. A. FolayanTwo WOMEN AND A LITTLE OLIVE OILRita Coburn WhackGOD AND YOUR DREAMSWintley PhippsA PRAYER FOR CHILDRENMarian Wright EdelmanA MIRACLE OF LOVEJoAnn LongSOMETHING WONDERFUL TO BEHOLDDawn Turner TriceA WARNING DREAM (SPRING 1984)Jocelyn RialsOPENING THE SPIRITKaren M. HurleyA PYRAMID PROPHECYGail ErskineTHE NGUZO SABA FOR A NEW MILLENNIUMTHE PEOPLE CAN STILL FLYDonna Marie WilliamsCredits