In his memoir, the author reflects on a pivotal era in American history, examining the missed opportunities of the Reagan and Bush years in the 1980s and early 1990s. As President and CEO of the National Urban League, he warned of the urgent need for education and job training to prepare marginalized communities for the challenges of the twenty-first century. The League joined other progressive groups to oppose key Reagan policies, notably winning victories such as the establishment of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the U.S. stance against apartheid in South Africa. These efforts helped fuel Black political mobilization, paving the way for future successes like the elections of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.