Title: A reason to believe
Description: In January 2007, Deval Patrick became the first black governor of the state of Massachusetts, one of only two black governors elected in American history. But that was just one triumphant step in a long, improbable journey that began in a poor tenement on the South Side of Chicago. From a chaotic childhood to an elite boarding school in New England, from a sojourn doing relief work in Africa to the boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies, and then to a career in politics, Patrick has led an extraordinary life. In this book, he pays tribute to the family, friends, and strangers who, through words and deeds, have instilled in him transcendent lessons of faith, perseverance, and friendship. In doing so, he reminds us of the power of community and the imperative of idealism. With humility, humor, and grace, he offers a road map for attaining happiness, empowerment, and success while also making an appeal for readers to cultivate those achievements in others, to feel a greater stake in this world, and to shape a life worth living. This book tells the story of a uniquely American odyssey and a testament to what is possible in our lives and our communities if we are hopeful, generous, and resilient.
Subjects: Governors, African American governors, Politics and government, Lawyers, Biography, Governors, united states, African american politicians, African americans, biography, Lawyers, biography, Massachusetts, politics and government, Chicago (ill.), biography
Places: United States, Chicago (Ill.), Massachusetts
People: Deval Patrick
Time periods: 1951-