Cedrick Bridgeforth

Minister. Author. Educator. Consultant. Coach. Strategist.

Cedrick Bridgeforth

Minister. Author. Educator. Consultant. Coach. Strategist.

About the Book

Why I wrote the book

This book began as a series of letters to my maternal grandmother. Although she died in 1989, I have fond and profound memories of her presence, the aromas in her kitchen and the life lessons that rolled effortlessly from her tongue. I have lived as a Black man born in the rural south, and one who claimed Christianity as the religion of my birth and as of my own choosing. My decision to fully embrace my identity as a same-gender loving, queer, gay, or homosexual man has ebbed and flowed between being silent about it and fighting for spaces to fully exclaim it.

I did not realize how much I had to lose until I lost it all. In taking the painful journey of putting my life back together, it was obvious that who I had portrayed myself to be was never going to last. I had to find a way to be authentic in expressing my fullest and truest identities, and know that the

contradictions that come together to form me have always been present and will always be the best parts of my story. This story intersperses the lessons taught by my grandmother, but they were learned through the living of my life in search of meaning and purpose through service of others.

My hope is that by telling my story, others will make connections with their motivations for living and take inventory of spaces and places where they are not being honest about who they are out of fear of rejection, ridicule, or ruin. My story is not your story and my journey is not your journey, but my grandmother’s lessons are for the living of lives that matter in these most turbulent of times.

To every person who was not always certain that truth was the right thing to speak.

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About the Author

Cedrick D. Bridgeforth, EdD, is an ordained minister, author, educator, executive coach, consultant, public speaker, and the founder of 20/20 Leadership Lessons. A native of Decatur, Alabama, Cedrick is a U.S. Air Force veteran and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Religion from Samford University, a Master of Divinity Degree from the Claremont School of Theology, and a Doctorate Degree in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University. He is a former District Superintendent in the California-Pacific Conference of The United Methodist Church and served as Director of Academic Programs at the Ecumenical Center for Black Church Studies at the University of La Verne. Prior books include Thoughts and Prayers and 20/20 Leadership Lessons: Seeing Visions and Focusing on Reality.

Check out Cedrick's other publications

These titles focus on prayer, leadership, and how to observe and make meaning of common and routine experiences.

Other Books

Endorsements

Dr. Traci C. West, Professor of Christian Ethics and African American Studies

Dr.Rudy Rasmus, Pastor, Humanitarian, and Author of Love. Period. When All Else Fails

Dr. Traci C. West, Professor of Christian Ethics and African American Studies

This spiritually enlivening journey contains

both excruciating, betrayal-filled life lessons and awe-inspiring examples of his non-judgmental, compassionate care for others.

Diane Donavon, Midwest Book Review

Dr.Rudy Rasmus, Pastor, Humanitarian, and Author of Love. Period. When All Else Fails

Dr. Traci C. West, Professor of Christian Ethics and African American Studies

It's the story of how family heritage passes along values and approaches to life that remain vivid, relevant, and powerful under the most challenging conditions.

Dr.Rudy Rasmus, Pastor, Humanitarian, and Author of Love. Period. When All Else Fails

I applaud the courage demonstrated on the pages of Alabama Grandson and hope this book will encourage others suffering from the fear of rejection and humiliation to embrace life fully while taking steps to live in the open

Dr. Sheron Patterson, Pastor and Author of The Blessings and Bling

Angelique C. Harris, Center for Gender and Sexualities Studies, Marquette University

Dr.Rudy Rasmus, Pastor, Humanitarian, and Author of Love. Period. When All Else Fails

After reading it you will be both blown

away and enlightened. With each chapter, I clutched my pearls, busted a gut laughing, and wept with his pain. This book is a must-read for all who seek to embrace and understand our LGBTQIA brothers and sisters. Once you read it, you cannot remain the same.

Romal Tune, Author of Love Is an Inside Job: Getting Vulnerable with God

Angelique C. Harris, Center for Gender and Sexualities Studies, Marquette University

Cedrick refers to it as a “passage out of hiding” but it’s that and much more. Alabama Grandson is an example of what the rite of passage to freedom can look like when you can’t hide any longer. It’s both a powerful testimony and invitation for you to do the kind of inner-work that leads to healing for yourself and encouragement for others.

Angelique C. Harris, Center for Gender and Sexualities Studies, Marquette University

Alabama Grandson is a testament to the love that Cedrick Bridgeforth has for his family, his church, and ultimately, himself. This book is an exploration of identity that allows the reader to truly feel

the impact of faith and acceptance on the life of a gay Black man from Alabama.

Klay S. Williams, Author of "There Is Only Plan A"

"Cedrick offers an intriguing, powerful and thought-provoking experience that takes you on an emotional journey of deep discovery. I found myself journaling after each chapter to process the depth of spiritual reckoning that his work exhibits. If you're interested in being transported to a place of authenticity and truth, this book is for you."

Cedrick Bridgeforth

Cedrick Bridgeforth

Independent Publisher Book Award (IPPY): Silver Medal Winner

A Tell-All Memoir Exposes a Hidden Life and Hard-learned Les

About the Book

Why I wrote the book

About the Author

Check out Cedrick's other publications

Endorsements

Dr. Traci C. West, Professor of Christian Ethics and African American Studies

Dr.Rudy Rasmus, Pastor, Humanitarian, and Author of Love. Period. When All Else Fails

Dr. Traci C. West, Professor of Christian Ethics and African American Studies

Diane Donavon, Midwest Book Review

Dr.Rudy Rasmus, Pastor, Humanitarian, and Author of Love. Period. When All Else Fails

Dr. Traci C. West, Professor of Christian Ethics and African American Studies

Dr.Rudy Rasmus, Pastor, Humanitarian, and Author of Love. Period. When All Else Fails

Dr.Rudy Rasmus, Pastor, Humanitarian, and Author of Love. Period. When All Else Fails

Dr.Rudy Rasmus, Pastor, Humanitarian, and Author of Love. Period. When All Else Fails

Dr. Sheron Patterson, Pastor and Author of The Blessings and Bling

Angelique C. Harris, Center for Gender and Sexualities Studies, Marquette University

Dr.Rudy Rasmus, Pastor, Humanitarian, and Author of Love. Period. When All Else Fails

Romal Tune, Author of Love Is an Inside Job: Getting Vulnerable with God

Angelique C. Harris, Center for Gender and Sexualities Studies, Marquette University

Angelique C. Harris, Center for Gender and Sexualities Studies, Marquette University

Angelique C. Harris, Center for Gender and Sexualities Studies, Marquette University

Angelique C. Harris, Center for Gender and Sexualities Studies, Marquette University

Angelique C. Harris, Center for Gender and Sexualities Studies, Marquette University

Klay S. Williams, Author of "There Is Only Plan A"

Klay S. Williams, Author of "There Is Only Plan A"

Klay S. Williams, Author of "There Is Only Plan A"

Contact Cedrick

Say something! Schedule something!

Cedrick Bridgeforth

Cedrick Bridgeforth

Independent Publisher Book Award (IPPY): Silver Medal Winner

A Tell-All Memoir Exposes a Hidden Life and Hard-learned Les

About the Book

Why I wrote the book

About the Author

Check out Cedrick's other publications

Join the Conversation

Endorsements

Dr. Traci C. West, Professor of Christian Ethics and African American Studies

Dr.Rudy Rasmus, Pastor, Humanitarian, and Author of Love. Period. When All Else Fails

Dr. Traci C. West, Professor of Christian Ethics and African American Studies

Diane Donavon, Midwest Book Review

Dr.Rudy Rasmus, Pastor, Humanitarian, and Author of Love. Period. When All Else Fails

Dr. Traci C. West, Professor of Christian Ethics and African American Studies

Dr.Rudy Rasmus, Pastor, Humanitarian, and Author of Love. Period. When All Else Fails

Dr.Rudy Rasmus, Pastor, Humanitarian, and Author of Love. Period. When All Else Fails

Dr.Rudy Rasmus, Pastor, Humanitarian, and Author of Love. Period. When All Else Fails

Dr. Sheron Patterson, Pastor and Author of The Blessings and Bling

Angelique C. Harris, Center for Gender and Sexualities Studies, Marquette University

Dr.Rudy Rasmus, Pastor, Humanitarian, and Author of Love. Period. When All Else Fails

Romal Tune, Author of Love Is an Inside Job: Getting Vulnerable with God

Angelique C. Harris, Center for Gender and Sexualities Studies, Marquette University

Angelique C. Harris, Center for Gender and Sexualities Studies, Marquette University

Angelique C. Harris, Center for Gender and Sexualities Studies, Marquette University

Angelique C. Harris, Center for Gender and Sexualities Studies, Marquette University

Angelique C. Harris, Center for Gender and Sexualities Studies, Marquette University

Klay S. Williams, Author of "There Is Only Plan A"

Klay S. Williams, Author of "There Is Only Plan A"

Klay S. Williams, Author of "There Is Only Plan A"

Become Social With Cedrick

Contact Cedrick

Say something! Schedule something!

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