Extraordinary men and women-we see them in our communities every day. They impact countless lives, they uplift and they inspire. But where did their inspiration come from? How did they become extraordinary? Through the personal stories of twenty men and women, Dare To Be Extraordinary: A Collection of Life Lessons From African American Fathers breathes life into one of today's most compelling familial and social issues: fatherhood in the African American community. In-depth discourse allows business leaders, cultural icons, athletes, politicians, activists, doctors, newsmakers, and some of the best and brightest minds of our time, the chance to share-with honesty, wit and intellect-lessons learned from their fathers. Dare To Be Extraordinary recognizes and honors the wisdom and teachings of African American fathers passed down to both sons and daughters who took those lessons to heart and have led extraordinary lives.

"Of what use is one ugly little tree?"
Atop a windswept hill, a crooked little tree stands alone . . . until one Christmas Eve, when an old woman labors up the hill with a box of ornaments, and tells the tree that he is special. He is to be the official Christmas tree for all of the homeless people in the city below
Year after year, colored balls and garland adorn the tree at Christmastime, but one year, the woman does not come. Will there be a Christmas for homeless? This story is based on actual events about a funny-looking mimosa tree that sits above a busy freeway in Fort Worth, Texas. A formerly homeless woman decorated the tree, year after year, so that the homeless would have a Christmas tree. When she died, neighbors took over the custom and now decorate it for Easter, Halloween, and other holidays as well. It can be seen on the north side of Interstate 30 near the Oakland exit.

Extraordinary men and women-we see them in our communities every day. They impact countless lives, they uplift and they inspire. But where did their inspiration come from? How did they become extraordinary? Through the personal stories of twenty men and women, Dare To Be Extraordinary: A Collection of Life Lessons From African American Fathers breathes life into one of today's most compelling familial and social issues: fatherhood in the African American community. In-depth discourse allows business leaders, cultural icons, athletes, politicians, activists, doctors, newsmakers, and some of the best and brightest minds of our time, the chance to share-with honesty, wit and intellect-lessons learned from their fathers. Dare To Be Extraordinary recognizes and honors the wisdom and teachings of African American fathers passed down to both sons and daughters who took those lessons to heart and have led extraordinary lives.