Review: Here I Stand… in a Beautiful State – Tameka Foster Raymond

Long before Tameka Foster Raymond was known for her high profile marriage and drama-fueled divorce, she lived a vibrant life as a self-made success in the fashion world, curating the wardrobes and images of many of today’s award-winning entertainers. In this honest, sincere, witty, and at times gut-wrenching memoir Tameka opens up about her childhood influences, coming of age in Oakland, and losing her first love without losing her decorum, dignity, or her ability to dream. She shares details of her own brush with death as well the heartbreak she endured after losing her 11-year-old son, Kile. HERE I STAND is about growth, renewal, perseverance, and optimism—and ultimately about striving to remain in a “beautiful state”. Just when you thought you knew everything about Tameka Foster Raymond, you don’t. HERE I STAND finally lets the superstar stylist speak her truth. After years of being maligned in the press and on Social Media, the most misunderstood woman in entertainment unapologetically lays it all on the line in this heartfelt memoir. Bravely, Tameka reveals a vulnerability that has rarely been seen. With grace, humility and a wicked sense of humor, Tameka shares the agony of a life marred by profound losses. Straight from her mouth to your heart, HERE I STAND invites you along for a tumultuous and meaningful ride as she revisits a deeply emotional journey that taught her that no matter what the world may think of her, HERE I STAND.

Here I Stand…in a Beautiful State by Tameka Foster Raymond will go on my list of my favorite reads of 2022. The book’s title is a double entendre – Usher’s album, Here I Stand, was dedicated to Tameka. Also, It’s a testament to Tameka’s ability to stand firm despite everything she has been through in her life.

Before Social Media, you had to wait for your favorite magazines to hit the shelves to learn the new scoop on your favorite celebrities. I was the kid that always had a book or magazine in my hand. So I was aware of Tameka’s resume before she was married to Usher.

Tameka Foster Raymond’s styling resume is long for those who don’t know. She has worked with Lauryn Hill, Jay-Z, Nas, Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, Ciara, Anthony Hamilton, and the list goes on.

I have been waiting for Tameka to write a book for a long time because I knew there’s more to her story. When the press labeled her a Gold Digger for marrying Usher – I was on the sidelines cheering her on because I knew it wasn’t true. I’m not a celebrity, but I know the mess I dealt with when I married my husband (who’s five years younger than me), and at the time, I had four kids. Tameka dealt with it on a larger scale and still pushed through.

Tameka Foster Raymond is the definition of a survivor. From getting hit by a car at a very young age to avoiding an incident that could have taken her life (read the book). She has dealt with so much loss, but the most heartbreaking loss a mother can face is losing her child. The press made it about Usher, but my thoughts were with the whole family, especially Tameka. As a mother of five, I could only imagine the pain she was going through. People don’t know or remember that she was going through a custody battle with Usher during that time.

Tameka writes about her marriage to Usher and everything that came along with being married to a Superstar. I’m sure Tameka could have written more about her marriage to Usher, but she kept it classy. Tameka also writes about almost dying when she traveled overseas for cosmetic surgery, which led to the end of her marriage to Usher.

Tameka is a no-nonsense person – so she gives it to you straight. She doesn’t paint herself as an angel; she acknowledges things she could have handled differently. She shares with readers the lessons she has learned and gives readers a lot of gems to help them along this journey we call Life,

Here I Stand is a testament to pushing through the storms of life.

Reviewed by: Orsayor

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