In his debut book, From the Hood to the Hill: A Story of Overcoming, Barry C. Black, Ph.D., relates a journey that led from the inner city of Baltimore, Md., to becoming the chief of chaplains for the U.S. Navy, and eventually the first African-American chaplain of the U.S. Senate.

Some measure success by the heights reached, but Black evaluates his life by the obstacles that catapulted him to stand on higher ground. This book reveals how God chooses and uses His servants to fulfill His plans, and provides shortcuts to excellence as Black shows readers how they, too, can find blessings in affliction, harness prayer power, and learn to lead.

Black is the first person of color in the nation's history to serve the spiritual needs of our country's lawmakers as chaplain of the U.S. Senate. He brings to the office a passion for learning, and he stands on his educational training as the foundation of his career. His bachelor's degree in theology from Oakwood College was the catalyst.

Black's book will be released Aug. 22, 2006. Pre-order your copy of From the Hood to the Hill: A Story of Overcoming in one of three ways: visit www.admiralblack.com and place your secure order online; use the order form available on the website and send in your check; or look for the book at your local bookstore. Royalties from the first 20,000 copies sold will directly benefit the Bradford-Cleveland-Brooks Institute at Oakwood College.

For more information, contact the Public Relations Office at Oakwood College: 256-726-7202 or pr@oakwood.edu.

George Johnson Jr., North American Division media relations director