Overview

"Iris Duplantier Rideau's story is one of rags to riches-of accomplishing the nearly impossible by a Black woman born into a poor Creole family in New Orleans. Stung by the ugly hatred of racism around her, Iris learned how to ""pass for white"" at an early age. Surviving horrifying and humiliating events that would have stopped most people only made Iris more and more determined to succeed. Not content to stay in her low-paying job in a sewing factory, Iris took night classes to further her education. She eventually landed a front office job with an insurance agency that didn't care about her skin color or the blood that ran through her veins, only that she was a fast typist! After the Watts riots, Iris founded her own insurance agency, providing insurance to thousands of ineligible homeowners, Black-owned businesses, and non-profit agencies such as the Urban League that ""white"" insurance companies wouldn't touch. Her success caught the eye of the then-mayor of Los Angeles, Tom Bradley, who brought her on to insure the city's Federal programs and manage its supplemental pension fund. Iris successfully ran her insurance company and securities firm for the next thirty years-the first Black woman on the West Coast to have such responsibility and success. When Iris retired, she built a home in the Santa Ynez Valley. But opportunity knocked again, and she created Rideau Winery. She introduced her Creole heritage-and famous authentic cooking to the Valley, pairing her signature dishes with her award-winning wines. Iris knew her winery would have to be the best-and it was-garnering multiple awards and accolades and bringing thousands of guests from all races and walks of life together as friends. In 2016, Iris sold her winery and took on another challenge-writing her memoir FROM WHITE TO BLACK about her remarkable life moving between two worlds. Photos and recipes included."

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9781734990201

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Reviews

An historically rich, exuberant, and vividly detailed portrait of an extraordinary life. - Kirkus Reviews ...fascinating, inspiring and delicious. - Dorothy J. Gaiter, Pulitzer Prize-nominated co-author of Tastings, Wall Street Journal Iris Rideau makes wine and history. - KTLA News Everything Iris touches turns to gold! Her career is legendary. - Bernard Parks, former Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department Iris Rideau is a true inspiration-a trailblazer. - Danny J. Bakewell, Sr., Executive Publisher of the LA Sentinel and LA Watts Times Newspapers ... a beautifully told true story of extraordinary perseverance, limitless vision, and the power of faith in one's self. - Scott Williams, Writer/Executive Producer, NCIS An inspiring and oftentimes defiant read, From White to Black is a wonderful and poignant story of triumph and transcendence. - Michael Bernard Beckwith, Founder and CEO, Agape International Spiritual Center Iris Rideau doesn't wait for opportunities-she makes her own, whether as a successful entrepreneur, a political change agent, or as a winery owner. - Wine Spectator Iris Rideau's breathtakingly moving journey will encourage you to never give up, always push boundaries, and never let someone's opinions hold you back from your own greatness. - Janine Sherman Barrois, creator of e Kings of Napa (OWN) A fascinating and candid memoir by a dynamic and determined personality whom I was inspired to work with, developing her culturally significant winery. - Rick Longoria, winemaker

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