Permission to Be Black

My Journey with Jay-Z and Jesus

By: A. D. "Lumkile" Thomason

Narrated by: A. D. Thomason

Throughout American history, Black people were not given the freedom to acknowledge their suffering. A. D. Thomason believes that the Holy Spirit brings freedom and liberation as we're able to name our pain, recognize its roots in history and society, and seek healing.

While many saw a confident, six-foot-five Black man, A. D. "Lumkile" Thomason lived most of his life in fear and anguish, deeply wounded by encounters with violence, abandonment, and family tragedy. Hiding behind a tough exterior, Adam earned his "Black card" but felt joyless inside. Even traveling around the globe to play professional basketball could not resolve his despair.

But in the art of Jay-Z, A. D. discovered stirring honesty that gave voice to his own expressions of longing. And in the gospel of Jesus, he experienced the healing and salvation that had long evaded him. A. D. uses his artistry as a poet and storyteller to share how he confessed his internalized pain and embraced the liberating joy of Christ. He writes for millennials, emerging adults, and anyone else who's ready to acknowledge the reality of racial trauma and our need to confront it. His powerful story gives you permission to be Black, to be Christian, and to be the person God has made you to be.

©2021 Adam David Thomason (P)2021 eChristian

Incredibly insightful and practical -> Read it!

This book was timely. A.D. gave me a language for areas that I am currently navigating through. He provided resources, cultural commentary and biblical wisdom to help us along the way. Take the time to drink deeply from this book.

Loved it!

Without a doubt this was a great body of wok. Tons of helpful nuggets. I’m definitely listening through this again.

Mind Blowing!!!

The author masterfully connects Biblical, psychology, and historical truths with pop culture and personal narratives to articulate the trauma that Blacks have had to endure for centuries and how that trauma manifests today. He doesn’t stop there! He gives the reader tools (cheat codes) to help them heal! POWERFUL and life CHANGING!!!

Thank You

Thank you to the author for putting into words the narrative of so many black christians today. It was truly a pleasure to have healing words delivered through this audiobook. It made me laugh and have some spirit searching moments as the author speaks truth into the struggle between being black and Christian in America. He used books, movies, and song lyrics to paint a picture of what we have been through and where God wants us to be; which is healed and whole. Again, thank you for writing this book that needed to be written at this moment in our world.

Life changing

This book is for anyone, any color. Life changing truths we all need to hear. Thank you Adam for your wisdom to help us become more like Christ.