David Mann - Us Against the World: Our Secrets to Love, Marriage, and Family

CONTENTS

DAVID AND TAMELA MANN are a dynamic husband-and-wife duo who have become household names across television and movie screens, on stage, and on radio. David is an ingeniously funny and extraordinarily talented actor/comedian, screenwriter, and director. His partner in life and business is Grammy Awardwinning superstar Tamela Mann. Audiences have come to know and love David and Tamela via Kirk Franklin and the Family and Tyler Perry film and television productions. They are known for bringing good, old-fashioned family values, laughter, and music to whatever they do.

Davids much-lauded comedic sensibility and accomplished performances have been recognized with an NAACP Image Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series and the GMA Grady Nutt Humor Award. In addition to the Grammy win, Tamela, whose beautiful voice has inspired millions, has garnered NAACP Image, Billboard Music, and Soul Train Music Award wins, numerous Gospel Music Stellar and GMA Dove Awards, and RIAA Platinum and Gold Billboard number-one albums and singles. The music sensation set a historic personal and industry record as the first gospel lead artist in Billboard radio chart history to score three consecutive number ones from an album and for the most number ones in the history of Billboards Gospel Airplay chart.

Despite all the awards and accolades, David and Tamela agree their greatest accomplishment is their thirty-year marriage. In Us Against the World: Our Secrets to Love, Marriage, and Family, the couple shares their keys to maintaining a strong Christian marriage and family while juggling successful screen, stage, and music careers. David, Tamela, and their blended family of five adult kids and ten grandkids live in Dallas, Texas.

SHAUN SAUNDERS is the author of six books and has assisted more than three hundred authors by telling authentic, inspirational, and educational stories. The president of Finish Your Book Inc. and Godzchild Publications, Shaun is the professor of English literature at Caldwell College and Bloomfield College, and serves as the discipleship pastor at Change Church in Ewing, New Jersey. Whenever Shaun isnt writing, he is most likely spending time with his precocious six-year-old daughter, Zinai Esther.

F irst and foremost, we would like to thank our heavenly Father, whos the head of everything we do. It is your new mercies every day that have guided us on this beautiful thirty-year journey of marriage.

So many people have played a part in our thirty-year journey of life. Wed like to acknowledge those who have played a vital part along the way.

To all the teams that made this dream possible:

David Jr., Theland, Porcia, and Tia: We wouldnt be able to do what we do if it wasnt for you all.

TKO marketing team and Linda Klosterman Kirkpatrick: Thank you for your loyalty and continuous belief in us.

The Wright Group, Cherry Wright and the late Gerald Wright: Thank you for your guidance and for sticking in there with us when we didnt know what we were doing.

Roger Bobb and Bobbcat Films: Thanks for your continuous belief in us. We love you more than you will ever know. Lets make more shows.

Debra Shavers and A-plus travel, Cheryl Potts and Crystal Clear Music, Bonnie Berry LaMon and B2L Law: Thanks for dotting the is and crossing the ts.

The Orchard distribution, and Damon Stewart and IGA: Thanks for getting us heard.

Keaston McKinney, De Lacy, The Glam Squad: Karla Langs, Riska Crowder, Toya Fennell, Fred Sanders, Krystal Gentry, DD Kelly, Maria Harper, Chassity Williams, Chantal Mann, and Melissa Amos.

To the people who have contributed:

Granny Charlie Mae Mann: Thank you for the early morning scriptures.

Nicole Jones: Without your introduction, there would be no us against the world.

Pastor Sherman Allen: Thanks for making this love official.

Theland Edwards: Thank you for the late night book notes and phone conversations. Thanks for helping us put everything together.

Shaun Saunders: Thanks for taking our story and bringing it to life.

Kirk Franklin: Your pen brought my voice to life. Love you, lil bro.

Tyler Perry: Sharing the stage with you helped us become better entertainers and all-around people.

Arthur Primus: Without you there is no us in this business.

Arthur Jones: Thanks for believing in us.

Jessie Hurst: Thanks for always being there for us, cuz.

Helen Epps and Morning Star Prayer Center: Thanks for your many prayers.

Bill Carpenter, Angie Bones, and Phil Thornton: Thanks for all the advice and for being a listening ear.

Mama and Daddy Stone: Thanks for the guidance.

Uncle Robert and Dollie Sample, and my home church, Holy Tabernacle COGIC: Thanks for showing us what family looks like.

Aunt Ethel.

Cassandra Kelly: Thanks for the late-night songs.

Mark Sample, Nedra Nevels, and Jackie Birdow.

Our pastor and first lady, Darrell and LaTonja Blair: Thanks for thirty-plus years of brotherhood and friendship.

Our church family at New Breed Christian Center.

Myron Butler: Thank you for all the music.

JaVon Hill: Thanks for producing magic.

Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin: Thanks for the spot to lay our head.

Bishop Walker, Bishop Morton, Joni and Marcus Lamb, Pastor Joel Osteen, Pastor Freddy Haynes, Pastor Ricky Rush, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Pastor John Gray, Pastor Tony Evans, Terri Vaughn, Denise Boutte, Bishop Winans, Pastor Jenkins, Bishop Don Meares, Pastor Donnie McClurkin, and Priscilla Shirer.

The Johnsons, the Manns, the Cottrells, the Campbells, the Freemans, the Tribbetts, the Franklins, Wiley Williams and family, the Wrights, the Robinsons, the Hollins, and the Phillips.

My favorite childhood memory is not paying bills.

BILL MURRAY

C hances are, if you know me, David Mann, then you know my wife, Tamela Mann. We are a package deal. Years ago, this beautiful woman and I fell in love and made a commitment. We committed to love together, live together, dream together, create together, and play together. And, together, we never looked back! Sure, we have different talents and gifts. Tamela, obviously, is an incredibly anointed singer with a flair for fashion and a heart of gold. Im the funny one. And sure, sometimes the world says, Good job, Tamela! Heres your Grammy! or, All right, David! Heres an Image Award for you! Those accolades we get as individuals are valuable to us only when we are sharing the joysand the sorrowstogether. We are first and always a team. I cannot imagine my life without her. When Tam and I talk about where we are today and how much we have been blessed, we see how it all started long before we ever met. Right, Momma?

Thats right, David. Tell them how it all started.

DAVID ON THE MOVE FROM THE GET-GO

The beginning of life shapes you for the rest of your life. I might not have enjoyed every moment of my childhood, but I wouldnt change a bit of my journey now. If every twist and turn happened so I could be where I am today, then every tear and every year was worth it.

I was born in Lubbock, Texas, to an incredibly resilient woman. My mother, Sandra Mann, was not only the rock of our family but also a miracle worker. Somehow, with just a seventh grade education and living on a very limited income, she raised five strong sons by herself. And she taught us to be honorable, honest, and holy.

I am the second oldest of five. Each of us had a different father. From my mother, I learned who to be. From my father, I learned who not to be. In more than fifty years of living, I saw my father about six times. I had one conversation with him a few years ago. Six months after that, my father died.