I didn’t know much about Terrence J before picking up his book, “The Wealth Of My Mother’s Wisdom,” but now that I know his story, I can truly say I’m a fan.
He co-hosted BET’s 106 & Park for seven years, but since I found myself out of the show’s demographic I wasn’t paying attention to his swift rise to celebrity. He now co-hosts E! News with Giuliana Rancic and has a slew of movie credits under his belt. He’s a hustler and I’m proud to see his star status rise because he seems like a genuinely nice guy who deserves these accolades coming his way.
In the book, Terrence tells us the story of his mother, Lisa, who had him when she was 17 years old. “The hard truth is that my birth changed all Mom’s plans,” he writes. “So she dropped out of college, went on public assistance, and stayed home with me until I could talk…I can’t imagine what those first few years were like for her, having missed her chance to experience the world, attend college, and have adult relationships. Her courage stands as a constant inspiration.”
His mom quickly formulated a plan and executed it to perfection, giving her son a chance to get out of the gang-infested New York neighborhood where he was born and into a more stable environment. So much of the book serves as a reminder to us, young moms, on how the lives we lead will serve as the blueprint for a successful life for our kids. If you don’t read anything else, please read the chapter on vision and fearlessness. Here’s a snippet:
“My mom was a rebel; she had a vision and just went for it. She didn’t let having a kid stop her from having dreams—in fact, it just made her more focused on achieving the things she had dreamed of. She let my needs motivate her to take the biggest leap you can take….If she could take that leap, take those risks, and pursue her dreams—for herself, and for me—then so could I. If she could be that fearless, then so could I. It meant that anything was achievable, as long as I was willing to try.” ~ pg. 61
My only quibble with the book was that it was presented as a story of a single mom. While Terrence J has never met his dad, his mother got married when Terrence J was three and his stepfather remains a vital part of his life. So…not quite a single mom story, but it doesn’t really matter. The journey is still solid and full of inspiration. You can tell that Terrence J has a great mom and he is truly thankful for her guidance.
After every chapter, Terrence J’s mom chimes in with her thoughts. She’s a strong woman and was intent on raising a well-mannered adult. I think she succeeded. And isn’t that what we all want to say when it’s all said and done? Terrence J also recruits some of his celebrity friends—Ludacris, Laz Alonzo, Kevin Hart and more—to tell brief stories of how much their mother has shaped their lives.
I’m giving YOU a chance to win a copy. Check out the Rafflecopter below and throw your name in the hat. Contest ends October 17.
Disclosure: HarperCollins provided me with a review copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
I’m actually looking forward to reading his book. I think he’s a really good guy and he’s got a great career ahead of him and a good head on his shoulders. And I think it’s awesome he’s talking about his mom.