In a time when race and racism are on everyone's lips yet too often reduced to slogans of allegiance ("Black Lives Matter!" "All Lives Matter!"), Adam A. Smith insists on real talk. Grounding reflection in his own lived experience, Smith deepens the conversation with heart-wrenching truths: that not all good people are doing good work, that we keep fighting the same battles because we lack the intercultural understanding to ask the hardest questions-where did this struggle come from, who is beside us in it, and what exactly are we fighting for? Smith shines light through the power of story. He resists the easy narratives of good guys or villains and instead reveals ordinary people caught in extraordinary systems-systems designed to remain invisible. In Multiracial Roots, Black Fruit, he brings those systems into view with clarity and compassion, offering readers not just a story of survival but a lifelong practice of healing by seeing, naming, and loving.
Willie Edward Taylor Carver Jr.
author / public speaker / activist/Kentucky Teacher of the Year
Adam Smith's new book is a testament to his brilliance, dynamism, and generosity of spirit. His writing captures not only the beauty of being multi-racial in an often racist country, but also the complexity of the human experience- inviting readers to reflect, question, and grow. The book feels like an extension of who Adam is: thoughtful, unflinchingly honest, deeply compassionate, and eternally committed to bringing worlds and people together. Each page will make you laugh and think, while you learn about the complexities of identity, race, power, and liminality.
On a personal level, Adam has been more than a colleague and friend; he has been a source of inspiration and grounding in my own life. His ability to listen with genuine care, to challenge with kindness, and to see possibilities where others see obstacles has shaped the way I approach my work and relationships. He's invited me onto his podcast many times, and we are able to climb to new heights when it comes to historically and sociologically analyzing the racist power dynamics in America while celebrating each other's humor and curiosity. Our friendship has meant the world to me and I'm a better person because I'm in community with this charming and brilliant scholar! I'm thrilled to witness Adam's growth as a writer and scholar. And just thinking about the impact his words will have on the world fills me with both pride and gratitude. Thank you again, Adam, for being your truest most loving self in a world that keeps telling folks to be anything but that!
Dr. Zack Ritter
University of California - Los Angeles
As a practitioner, Adam Smith deeply leans into his multiracial, authentic identity as a bridge to connect with all individuals. His lived experience, shaped by both the challenges and blessings of a multiracial upbringing, has cultivated a profound empathy and cultural fluency that allows him to hold space for others with remarkable ease. Whether in a workshop, initiative, or program, his presence is both grounding and inviting, creating environments where vulnerability feels not only safe but welcomed. He has an uncanny ability to build rapport almost instantly, making people feel seen, heard, and valued from the very first moment. His belief in the transformative power of connection is evident in every interaction, and it's this gift, rooted in identity, compassion, and intentionality, that makes his impact so profound and far-reaching. I am appreciative that this Brother shared his journey with all of us.
Dr. Nicholas Lamar Wright
Gonzaga University
