About Terrance Dean

"After leaving a jet-set production post at MTV, the Detroit native reinvented himself as a philanthropist, humanitarian and a self-proclaimed "Cardio-Spiritualist." Not only is he the founder/creator of Men's Empowerment, Young Men's Empowerment and Young Women's Empowerment, the Fisk University grad is also co-creator of "The Gathering of Men" with Adeyemi Bandele, the husband and spiritual partner of Vanzant.

Dean's NY based organization, Men's Empowerment, has been in existence 'in various forms-- for over three years and has over 200 men of color from various professional, civic and ethnic backgrounds actively involved in it. To date, the non-profit has attracted such keynote speakers as VIBE magazine editor Emil Wilbekin, Urbanworld Film Group head honcho Stacy Spikes, best-selling authors Omar Tyree and Kevin Powell, and urban music veteran Kirk Burrowes. Future speakers will include Def Jam President Kevin Liles (11/27) and NBC correspondent/author Dr. Ian Smith (12/12).

A true man about time, Dean currently resides in Harlem with gal pal Tamara Francois, a talent executive at BET. They're both certified members of the spiritual organization, The Landmark Forum."
-- Excerpted from THE RU REPORT/NOVEMBER 22 by Karu F. Daniels

Contact Terrance Dean via email at hidinginhiphop@aol.com

Mogul: A Novel
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Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Atria; Original edition (June 14, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1451611927
ISBN-13: 978-1451611922

From the Essence bestselling author of Hiding in Hip Hop and an entertainment insider'a juicy debut novel about the 'down-low' life of one of New York's most beloved Hip Hop producers.

After the sudden death of his father, a renowned jazz musician, Aaron 'Big A.T.' Tremble clings to music as an escape. Making hip hop beats becomes his life. His love for music lands him at the estate of Larry 'Pop' Singleton, a retired and respected Hip Hop music mogul who sees something special in Big A.T., and he also knows the truth about his sexuality. With Pop's blessings and nurturing, Big A.T. is on the path to becoming the next great Hip Hop producer in New York.

With the help of Pop and 'the family,' a network of secretly gay men in the Hip Hop world, Big A.T. finds success and starts his own music label. He's signed and worked with some of the biggest Hip Hop artists in the country. One of them is Brooklyn native lyricist, 'Tickman.' Together they are making sweet music together. Tickman and Big A.T.'s relationship goes beyond producer and rapper ' they become secret lovers.

Nothing can stop Big A.T. All of the radio stations play his music. He has money, fame, and Jasmine, his girlfriend who doesn't know about his secret love for men. However, at the pinnacle of his career, compromising photos of Big A.T. land on the desk of a national news program'and in the hands of his girlfriend. Big A.T., for the first time is at a crossroad in his career: come out publicly with his secret or watch his music empire crumble.

I enjoyed reading this book. It kept my attention from the first page to the last. I know it will provide readers that missing link since E. Lynn Harris's death...Bravo Terrance. You are da man. --JL King, New York Times bestselling author  

Straight from Your Gay Best Friend: The Straight-Up Truth About Relationships, Work, and Having a Fabulous Life
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Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Agate Bolden (October 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1932841563
ISBN-13: 978-1932841565

In today's society, from the inner-city to suburban America, nearly every woman has a gay best friend--the one who gives it to them straight about life, clothes, sex, and relationships. For example, on the number-one cable show on the Bravo Network, "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," the break-out star of the show, NeNe, has introduced the world to her gay best friend, Dwight Eubanks. Having a gay best friend has become the new must-have for women across America; no woman should be without one.

Straight, From Your Gay Best Friend gives women direct and useful, though often tongue in cheek, advice from Terrance Dean, their new gay best friend, on some of life's most challenging issues--family, friends, career, love, sex, and intimate relationships with men. Dean offers direct and to-the-point insights, mixed with a little sass, wit, humor, forwardness, and spirituality, as only a gay man can do. He speaks candidly to women about healing their souls of past hurts in order to tap into their fabulousness.

Also included are meaningful and powerful inspirational stories from women who were seeking to live fabulous and fierce lives filled with abundant love and joy, as well as have intimate relationships with men. These women have learned to reclaim, rediscover, and heal themselves.

Dean also dedicates a chapter to the most controversial topic in the black community--down-low gay men: "I am often asked by women, 'How can I tell if my man is on the down low?' Or, 'What are some signs I need to look out for so I do not end up in a relationship with a down-low man?' This chapter will help women identify if the man they are in a relationship with or considering dating may be on the down low."

Dean gives gives straight answers on when to leave a relationship, how to make it last, how to open up, how to get into the dating game, when to stop being a doormat, and how--more often than you might realize--she might just not be that into him. When women experience a tumultuous break-up or suffer through a challenging relationship, many turn to their gay best friends. Sure, they seek advice from their girlfriends, but it's always the gay best friend whose unique perspective helps them through the rough spots, encouraging her, inspiring her, and giving her the straight truth about relationships, and herself.

This book will help women discover the power they need for a life of abundant success, prosperity, and happiness with loving relationships. And, it's all done from a place of love, from their gay best friend.

Visible Lives: A Tribute To E. Lynn Harris
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by Stanley Bennett Clay, Terrance Dean, James Earl Hardy

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Kensington (May 25, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0758255756
ISBN-13: 978-0758255754

Read an AALBC.com Review

Three Stories in Tribute to E. Lynn Harris

Bestselling author and literary icon E. Lynn Harris captivated millions of readers with his powerful, groundbreaking stories of black men searching for love in a taboo world. Now three outstanding writers and friends honor the late author with this trio of original novellas in the genre E. Lynn helped create'each accompanied by a special personal tribute remembering the important role he played in their lives. Evoking the hope, romance, and complexity of this gifted writer, this unique collection will serve as a living legacy for fans old and new.

'A creative way to pay homage to a writer who paved the way for so many other authors'something I'm sure E. Lynn would have appreciated.'
'Zane, AALBC.com, New York Times Bestselling Author

Hiding In Hip Hop - On The Down Low in the Entertainment Industry from Music to Hollywood
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Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Atria; 1st Atria Books Hardcover Ed edition (May 13, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416553398
ISBN-13: 978-1416553397

Message from Terrance Dean (4/18/2008)
Greetings Everyone,

Man, it's been a journey. A rollercoaster ride of a journey. My new book is dropping next month, May 13th, and I thank each of you for your patience.

Many of you reached out and shared your kind words, thoughts, and prayers. I appreciate them. Each and every one of your e-mails.

I am very excited because the time is approaching for my memoir to hit the stores and for all your eyes to read, and your minds to digest and discern.

I would like to ask each of you to do something for me: pre-order the book on www.amazon.com or go/call your local boosktore and order your book today. Also, tell all your friends. Feel free to forward this e-mail.

I say this because I am sure once the book hits the stores on May 13th and everyone waits until that date, many booksellers will not be able to keep the book in stock. If you pre-order the book on amazon.com you will more than likely get it before the May 13th date.

It is an amazing, powerful, and inspiring story. Yeah, sure, it has it's intrigue, sexy celebrity bed partners, abundance of drugs, and of course, the down low/gay men and celebrities in the entertainment industry.

This book is my voice, your voice, and many other voices of people who love Hip Hop, the black church, the black community, our families - our uncles, aunts, brothers, and sisters who are gay, or on the down low. You will find your own story within my story. Of course your jaws will drop. Most definitely you will laugh. You will certainly cry. And you will have outbursts. But, most importantly, you will think. It will create a dialogue and conversation so needed in our community, and world - Why are we afraid to talk about sex and sexuality in the black community? Why can't black gay men and women come "out" of the closet in entertainment?

I thank you for your support. Please do hit me up once you receive your copy of the book. I would like to know your thoughts.

Check me out on: http://www.myspace.com/hidinginhiphop. Again, tell all your friends, and forward to all your listservs and groups.

About the Book   
A riveting memoir, Hiding In Hip Hop, uncovers a hidden and well-known unspoken secret. Deep within the confines of Hip-Hop is a prominent gay sub-culture. A world that industry insiders are keenly aware of, but choose to ignore. From the testosterone of men striving to be on top and in control, to the 'by any means necessary' bravado in an industry that thrives on power, homosexuality is a reality at nearly every level of Hip-Hop. Hiding In Hip Hop is a heartfelt sojourn of a young man searching for self, love, and sexual identity in the most homophobic places ' the black family, community, church, and Hip Hop. Dean takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster ride as he becomes romantically involved with some of Hollywood's and Hip Hop's elite, and into an underground world of down low brothers, sex parties, and love starved celebrities. Struggling to find a place for himself in a homophobic culture Dean's compelling story is one of hope, love, and in spite of everything, coming to terms with one's self and being a catalyst for change and empowerment in the game of Hip-Hop. 

Reclaim Your Power!: A 30-Day Guide to Hope, Healing, and Inspiration for Men of Color (Introduction by Tavis Smiley)
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Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Villard; 1 edition (May 13, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 081296778X

"In a time when many men of color are experiencing a sense of isolation and aloneness, it is exciting to know that they realize they do have power! Terrance Dean offers more than a voice in the wilderness. He is a light unto the world!"
'Iyanla Vanzant, Author, Founder of Inner Visions Institute for Spiritual Development

Reclaim Your Power! A 30-Day Guide to Hope, Healing, and Inspiration for Men of Color is a compact but powerful book in which community philanthropist Terrance Dean provides men of color with meaningful, spiritual meditations that can be practiced anywhere at any time. Quotations and exercises further build upon the daily lessons in the book. Among them: Listen; Be Still; Can't No One Stop You but You; Faith; Have Integrity; and Move, Mountain, Get out of My Way!

'It's no accident that you have this book in your hands,' writes Dean in his Introduction. 'You or someone you know has thought enough about you to get you started or help you remember your connection to Spirit. Know that everything is divinely created and that you are meant to be here, right now, at this time, to become aware of your greatness. I encourage you to read this book and be open to its message.'

Reclaim Your Power! is designed to help men discover their own source of healing, hope, and inspiration'one cannot help but feel empowered after reading this book!

Be Empowered... 30 Days of Meditation for Men of Color
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Format: Paperback, 132pp.
ISBN: 0595190316
Publisher: iUniverse, Incorporated
Pub. Date: August  2001

Finally a book for men to embrace their spirituality in their daily journey in life. This book assists men with reminders of meaningful spiritual meditations that can be practiced anywhere and at anytime. This book provides simple reminders of being still and listening to your inner voice. Remembering to breathe and have faith in the midst of storm. This powerful compact book also provides worksheets, which allows the reader to become interactive with the process of nurturing their spirit. This book definitely leaves the reader feeling empowered!

Related Links

Article Terrance Dean, Wants Brothers To Be Empowered
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