Taj Matthews

Grandpa Was a Preacher: a Letter to My Grandson Taj Matthews

Grandpa was a Preacher: A Letter to My Grandson is an intimate look at the life of Rev. Claude William Black. As a pastor, civil rights icon, humanitarian and politician, Rev. Black has captured the hearts of thousands with his advocacy for issues affecting senior citizens, children, mentally handicapped and less fortunate. The memoir opens with his upbringing in a segregated neighborhood on San Antonio's eastside as son of a Pullman Porter and grandson of slaves. The reader receives great details about his desperate search for personal meaning and purpose in life. He shares the foundations for which his ministry has been built including the incidents that resulting in the creation of an African American credit union and several social serviceagencies. The role of Rev. Black with the Civil Rights Movement in San Antonio and within both the National Baptist Convention and American Baptist is examined. This memoir is ended with 90 year old Rev. Black's observation on the world of today.