E! News co-anchor Terrence Jenkins released his first book, The Wealth of My Mother’s Wisdom: The Lessons that Made My Life Rich Oct. 1.
Jenkins, better known as Terrence J, entered the limelight in 2006 as co-host of BET’s “106 & Park.”
The North Carolina A&T graduate is no stranger to the entertainment industry. He worked as a disc jockey for WSRV Soul 92.1 and 102 Jamz in Greensboro.
He has since acted in several films and TV shows including Think Like a Man, Baggage Claim and “The Game.”
His debut novel is a tribute to his mother, Lisa Gonzalez.
“It’s amazing how much my mom did on my behalf. As a seventeen-year-old single mom with relatively little support and all the chips stacked against her, she was able to provide an incredible amount of support for me. Her lessons enriched my spirit, my emotions, and my relationship with God,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins said he was inspired to write the book after starring in Steve Harvey’s Think Like a Man and meeting an inspirational teen named Tiffany while volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club.
“During the process of playing the mama’s boy in Think Like a Man, I took an in-depth look at my own mother and her extraordinary journey of raising me while still a teenager herself,” he said.
“I wrote this book after I met a young lady [Tiffany] who had gotten pregnant and started asking me questions,” Jenkins said in a Vibe interview.
“I just hope if somebody young picks it up and reads it, they’re like, ‘You know what? When Terrence started they called him corny, skinny and whack and all those things, and if he can do it, then I can do it and do it better than he did’,” he said.
Jenkins’ novel is an assortment of lessons and stories from his mother and industry friends including Kevin Hart, Trey Songz, Ludacris, T.I. and Laz Alonso. The book has garnered five out of five stars on Amazon.com and has received positive reviews.
According to AtlantaBlackStar.com, “His story serves as a shining example that anything is possible with determination and preparation…Jenkins offers a positive, powerful message: With a strong family bond, the possibilities are endless.”