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“In her long and extraordinary career, Cicely Tyson has not only exceeded as an actor, she has shaped the course of history.” (President Barack Obama, 2016 Presidential Medal of Honor ceremony)

"Just as I Am is my truth. It is me, plain and unvarnished, with the glitter and garland set aside. Here, I am indeed Cicely, the actress who has been blessed to grace the stage and screen for six decades. Yet I am also the church girl who once rarely spoke a word. I am the teenager who sought solace in the verses of the old hymn for which this book is named. I am a daughter and mother, a sister, and a friend. I am an observer of human nature and the dreamer of audacious dreams. I am a woman who has hurt as immeasurably as I have loved, a child of God divinely guided by His hand. And here in my ninth decade, I am a woman who, at long last, has something meaningful to say.” (Cicely Tyson)

Just as I Am: A Memoir is an autobiography of the iconic actress Cicely Tyson, spanning her extraordinary life from humble beginnings in rural North Carolina, her rise to stardom as a model and actress, her ground-breaking work on stage and screen, her activism for civil rights and gender equality, and her personal relationships with some of the most influential figures of the 20th century.

In this poignant and revealing memoir, Tyson shares her story with honesty and grace, capturing the challenges and triumphs of her remarkable journey, and providing insight into the African American experience, the struggle for equality, and the complexities of fame and public life.

With her signature warmth and humor, Tyson reflects on her childhood in a sharecropping family, her early struggles as an actress in New York City, and her rise to prominence in groundbreaking roles that challenged stereotypes and gave voice to the stories of marginalized people.

Tyson also shares intimate details of her personal life, including her relationships with renowned figures such as Miles Davis, James Baldwin, and Martin Luther King Jr., offering a glimpse into the intersections of art, politics, and cultural change during tumultuous times.

Just as I Am is a powerful and inspiring memoir that celebrates the life and legacy of a woman who broke barriers, spoke truth to power, and left an indelible mark on the world.