In The Road Is Good, Hollywood actress, Uzo Aduba takes us deep into her world, sharing the memories of her mother that shaped her life and the rich I
In The Road Is Good, Hollywood actress, Uzo Aduba takes us deep into her world, sharing the memories of her mother that shaped her life and the rich Igbo traditions that grounded her upbringing in Massachusetts.
A powerful, timely memoir of Black immigrant identity, the story of an unforgettable matriarch, and a unique coming-of-age story, Uzo came of age, grappling with a master juggling act: as one of few Black families in their white Massachusetts suburb, she and her siblings were the unexpected presence in whatever school room or sports team they joined.
But she was also rooted by a fierce and nonnegotiable sense of belonging and extraordinary worth that stemmed from her mother’s powerful vision for her children, and their connection to generations of family in Nigeria. The alchemy of being out of place yet driven by fearless conviction powered Uzo to success.
The Road Is Good is more than the journey of a young woman determined to survive young adulthood — and to create a workable identity for herself. It is the story of an incredible mother and a testament to matriarchal power. When Uzo’s mother falls ill, the origin of her own power crystallizes and Uzo leaps into a caretaker role, uniquely prepared by the history and tools her mother passed along to become steward of her ancestorial legacy.
Deeply mining her family history—gripping anecdotes her mother, aunts, and uncles shared in passing at family celebrations and her own discoveries through countless auditions in New York and her travels to Nigeria—Uzo pieces together a life story imbued with guiding lessons that are both personal and profoundly universal.
