Black Magic by Chad Sanders Summary
In "Black Magic," Chad Sanders reveals how Black leaders transform trauma into triumph in white-dominated spaces. Endorsed by Brene Brown as "daring, urgent, and transformative," this book unveils the resilience, creativity, and authenticity that define true Black Magic in professional America.
About the author
Chad Sanders, author of *Black Magic: What Black Leaders Learned from Trauma and Triumph*, is a screenwriter, bestselling author, and advocate redefining leadership through the lens of racial identity and resilience. The book blends memoir, cultural analysis, and interviews with prominent Black figures to explore how trauma shapes leadership in predominantly white corporate and creative spaces. Sanders draws from his own journey as a former Google executive who left Silicon Valley after confronting systemic marginalization, later writing for HBO Max’s *Rap Sh!t* and ABC’s *Grown-ish*. His work has been featured in *The New York Times*, *TIME*, and *Fortune*, and he hosts the Audible Original podcast *Direct Deposit* and the *Yearbook* podcast on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert Network. A Morehouse College graduate, Sanders speaks globally at institutions like Columbia Business School and Netflix, advocating for authenticity in professional spaces. His follow-up book, *How to Sell Out: The (Hidden) Cost of Being a Black Writer*, examines the complexities of commodifying identity in media. Sanders’ insights on race and power have earned recognition on CBS News, NPR, and Brené Brown’s *Dare to Lead* podcast, solidifying his role as a critical voice in modern leadership discourse.
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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
12117"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
12108"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
25417"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
964.5K"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
20116"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
37483"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
12117"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
12108"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
25417"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
964.5K"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
20116"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
37483"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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