Better to Cry Now: Shaping the Flow of a Gay Black Man

Prejudice tried to close the door on his potential. Talent, hard work, and leadership pushed that door wide open.

When schools first integrated in the 1950s, Geoffrey Newman became one of the few Black children in an all-white school. His teachers told him he was destined for failure, for no reason other than the color of his skin. Geoffrey Newman proved them all wrong.

Better to Cry Now chronicles Geoffrey’s road to success in arts education, from discovering his artistic talent while also succeeding academically, to pioneering a theater program for an up-and-coming college, to becoming chair of the drama department for Howard University, to ultimately serving as dean for the entire arts program at Montclair State University, nurturing many stars along the way. In sharing his story, Geoffrey also shares the challenges of persevering despite racial prejudice and coming out to the world as a gay man in a loving, committed relationship.

With this insightful memoir, Geoffrey shows us the grit and grace needed to forge our path, define our own success, and stay true to who we are.