Читать книгу The Immortality of Influence: - Cecil Murphey - Страница 6

In 2005 we lost a tremendous number of influencers who have shaped us as a nation and people

IN MEMORIUM

Constance Baker-Motley, Stan Bernstein, Johnny Carson, Shirley Chisolm, Johnnie Cochran, Ossie Davis, Arthur Fletcher, Peter Jennings, John Johnson, Pat Morita, Rosa Parks, Pope John Paul II, Richard Pryor, Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, C. Delores Tucker, Luther Vandross, August Wilson, Georgie Woods and many, many more. Your Influence Lives On!

To the victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita and all other natural disasters: Your courage and determination has inspired us all to remember that we are brothers and sisters in this world together! A special thank-you to the many celebrities who used their influence to make a difference in the lives of others: Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Ellen DeGeneres, Tavis Smiley, Tom Joyner, Dr. Phil McGraw, Jamie Foxx, Harry Connick Jr., Branford Marsalis, Master P, Dave Matthews, Celine Dion, Kanye West and so many others. God Bless You All!

I would like to thank God (Our Creator) for loving me unconditionally. None of my work would be possible without your love and blessing. To my lovely wife, Shawnna: Thanks for persevering through the tough times with me and loving our children faithfully. A mother’s love and attention are so important to children. Your constant editing of my writing and speeches has allowed me to look good and take all the credit. Keep up the good work! To my baby girls, Macawi and Nashetah: Continue to grow into intelligent and strong young ladies who will lead this nation, and take care of Daddy and Mommy when they are old and gray. To my greatest influence, my mother, Amena, who is resting in heaven: Save me a place because someday I will be worthy of your company. I am sure you are praising God every day with our beloved sister Delores who is with you. To my family: Thank you for always supporting me and keeping me focused on the mission of service. I have learned that it is not about me. It is about us! To my mother-in-law, Delores: Thanks for being a wonderful mother and grandmom, helping us navigate this thing called parenting, and influencing us every day. To Karen and Dexter: Thanks for the countless hours of cheap, expert legal advice.

To Cecil Murphey and Deidre Knight: Thank you so much for your support and love over the years; CAA: Your representation and hard work with Disney on my behalf is appreciated. It does not get any better than you; My editor at Kensington, Karen Thomas: You have surpassed my expectations again and continue to amaze me. You are a powerful influence on your authors; Steven Zacharius and everyone at Kensington Publishing: Thanks for believing in me the second time around. I promise not to disappoint you; Ellie Deegan (The Lecture Bureau) and Nancy Eisenstein (American Program Bureau): Thanks for ensuring that people around the country get to hear my message. Derek and Quentin: Thanks for your friendship.

To Will Smith and family: Thanks for being great role models as parents and philanthropists. You make us all proud; Lonnie Downs, Jana Babatunde-Bey and everyone at Overbrook Entertainment: Thanks for your support and love; Tim Chambers: Thanks for believing in my story and inspiring me with the title for this book. You are truly a special person; Gavin and Greg O’Connor at Solaris: Thanks for giving my students a chance to tell their story to the world; Walt Disney Company: Your commitment to our project will send a message to our nation that every child matters.

Thanks to all of my former teachers; the Association of Black School Administrators (ABSA); the faculty, staff, students and alumni of Nova Southeastern University, Cheyney University, East Stroudsburg University, and Philadelphia Futures; Thank God for the staff at Bryn Mawr, Children’s and Lankenau Hospitals; My pastor and teacher Sean Wise; Pastors Damon Jones, Ronald Parks, Keith Reed and Paul James; Cathy Hensford and Juanita Johnson: Thanks for your editing and proofreading; The Brothers of Diamond Lynx and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.; Corey and the staff at Wilkie Lexus in Haverford, Pennsylvania; My students: Thanks for allowing me to be a part of your lives. I apologize for those times when I was a little tough on you.

I would like to thank the following people for supporting the chess team, my students and me: The wonderful teachers and staff members at Reynolds Elementary School and Vaux Middle School. My brother and friend, Ishmael Al-Islam, Michael and Octavia Lewis, Elmer Smith and the entire Philadelphia Daily News/Inquirer family. The Philadelphia Tribune staff, Calvary Baptist Church, Miller Memorial Baptist Church, and Sharon Baptist Church. Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta and Zeta Phi Beta Sororities. To the best secretaries in the world: Edith Bridges, Debbie Brooks, June Ezekiel, Cheryl Henderson, Lillian Rochester and Denice Ross, I will always love you; Men of BACA, Vaux Alumni Association and all the former members of the chess team: You started the tradition and we are proud to preserve your legacy.

To Maurice Cheeks and Marc Zumoff: Thanks for your friendship and support over the years. Tony Irving: We lost you long ago but your memory lives on through our work. There will never be enough space for me to thank all the people who have touched my life. If I have not mentioned you, please forgive me. You will always be in my heart.