Sound of Purpose: A Memoir

A riveting and unflinching memoir from actress Nia Long about the struggles and successes of a decades-long career in Hollywood and how she discovered her purpose along the way.

Nia Long is one of the most recognizable and beloved actresses of the past three decades, with iconic roles in Boyz n the Hood, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Love Jones, Soul Food, Empire, You People, and Michael. Now for the first time, she gives readers an intimate look into her life.

Taking us from 1970s Brooklyn to a small Midwest town in Iowa (where she was one of four Black kids in her school) to South Central LA in the 1980s to Hollywood in the 1990s, and beyond, Long shares details of a childhood filled with both love and abandonment. Raised by fascinating artist parents, as a girl Long witnessed firsthand the struggles of Black artists striving for representation and opportunity in America and it made her even more determined to succeed.

With a voice that is fierce yet funny, vulnerable yet resilient, Long shares behind-the-scenes stories featuring some of the biggest names in entertainment, including, the late Heavy D and John Singleton, Regina King, Will Smith, Larenz Tate, Colman Domingo, Whoopi Goldberg, and more. Long also looks at Hollywood through the lenses of racism, colorism, and sexism. She offers not only the glamorous moments but also the moments of doubt, growth, and strength that have defined her path toward healing. Exploring grief and joy, heartbreaks and breakthroughs, The Sound of Purpose is not just for longtime fans but for anyone searching for their own personal transformation.