From poets to porn stars, from politicians to teachers, this book seeks to capture a glimpse into the variety of experiences, lifestyles, perspectives, and sensibilities of black people everywhere.

Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- Execution of Wanda Jean Allen : McAlester, Oklahoma -- Sex and the sisters : San Fernando Valley, California -- Crowning glory : New York City, New York -- Mr. Chips of North Philly : Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -- Of Canada, codfish, and the Caribbean : Toronto, Canada -- Books, books, and more books : Oakland, California -- Designer to the cars : Detroit, Michigan -- Elisabeth in her own words : Charlotte, North Carolina -- Radical rhymes with an English accent : Kensington, London, U.K. -- Of rain, Spain, and niggers everywhere : Notting Hill Gate, London, U.K. -- House of UnCommons : Westminster, London, U.K. -- Lady Harris in Paris : Paris, France -- First Friday gathering : Chicago, Illinois -- Fiddler on the stage : Chicago, Illinois -- American in Brazil : Sao Paulo, Brazil -- Sao Paulo by day and night : Sao Paulo, Brazil -- Angel of the Favelas : Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -- Teacher's view of life : Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -- Echoes of an African god : Miguel Cunto, Brazil -- Essence of womanhood : Times Square, New York -- Public to private citizen : Atlanta, Georgia -- Go to West Africa, young woman : Accra, Ghana -- Citizens of the world : Accra, Ghana -- Walking in the spirit : Outside Accra, Ghana -- Never felt so loved : Accra, Ghana -- Meeting and living in the past and present : the Cape Coast, Ghana -- Exchanging cultures : Legon, Ghana -- Frankies for lunch : Osu, Ghana -- In search of E : Birmingham, Alabama -- Gifted unlimited rhymes universal : Midtown Manhattan, New York -- Frank ski on V-103 : Atlanta, Georgia -- Woman in search of a country : Kingston, Jamaica -- Basketball as a metaphor for life : Phoenix, Arizona -- Gearing up for an education : Washington, D.C. -- Sage of Blacksburg : Blacksburg, Virginia -- Postscript.