Books

Prayers That Make Men Better

As Father’s Day is upon us, three Black clergymen have published a book of prayers that have worked for them as they navigated the many challenges of this thing we call LIFE. In their book “Prayers That Make Men Better,” Rev. Johnnie Clark, Sr., affectionately known as Papa Clark, shares prayers that helped him overcome a 30-year heroin addiction.

Published

3 years ago

June 21, 2023

Oakland Post

Photo courtesy Y’Anad Burrell.

By Y’Anad Burrell

As Father’s Day is upon us, three Black clergymen have published a book of prayers that have worked for them as they navigated the many challenges of this thing we call LIFE.

In their book “Prayers That Make Men Better,” Rev. Johnnie Clark, Sr., affectionately known as Papa Clark, shares prayers that helped him overcome a 30-year heroin addiction.

His sons Bishop Keith L. Clark, general overseer of WORD A Family of Churches in Oakland, and Bishop Johnnie Clark, Jr., pastor of WORD Tracy Campus, both share prayers in this book that have helped them grow through the myriad of peaks and valleys that come with pastoral leadership, fatherhood and relationships.

Prayer has been a vibrant part of the Clark family heritage. The family has spent many years devoted to cultivating a prayer life that covers the physical, mental and spiritual health. “We’ve only been able to lead our families and communities through death, disappointment, depression and desperation because we have sought after God with our whole hearts, minds, bodies and souls.

“We looked at our combined 11 decades worth of personal and professional experiences in the communities we serve to compile a short list of effective prayers,” said Keith Clark.

In addition to being one of the authors of this book, Keith Clark, had a vision to create a unique space for men to be their authentic selves, where they can have transparent conversations among each other in a judgement-free zone.

With that in mind he designed a special Bible study every Tuesday in Oakland where all men are welcome to come and hang out and hear God’s word presented in a way that is interesting, intriguing and insightful.

At these sessions, men have shared how they have grown in areas that have held them back over the years. Paul Brown, aka PO, who hosts the meetings at 8916 International Blvd., in Apt. C at 7 p.m., understands the importance of creating this space as his life has changed for the better and he wants other men to experience the change they desire for themselves, their families and friends.

Prayers That Make Men Better can be purchased on Amazon or at www.wordafc.org

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Black History

George Cook: The Inventor Who Made Fishing Smarter

Published

5 days ago

August 9, 2026

bpusa-syndication

A copy of the patent for George Cook’s Automatic Fishing Device. Public domain.

By Tamara Shiloh

George Cook was a Black American inventor from Louisville, Kentucky. He was born in 1863, during a time when Black Americans faced unfair laws, limited opportunities, and many barriers to education, jobs, and recognition. Even with these challenges, he became known for his intelligence, honesty, and ability to think in practical ways. Some records say he worked as a cook for Buffalo Bill Cody and later as a chef on a private dining car for the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. He was even known by the nickname “Honest Mister Cook.”

As with many Black American inventors and scientists of that era, there is little biographical information about Mr. Cook.

Cook’s most famous invention was the Automatic Fishing Device. He received U.S. Patent No. 625,829 for it on May 30, 1899. His patent shows that he was not just someone with an idea, but someone who made it happen.

So, what did the Automatic Fishing Device do? Imagine fishing with a line in the water. Usually, you have to watch carefully and pull the line at just the right moment when a fish bites. Cook wanted to make that process easier. His device was designed to react when a fish pulled on the line. The tension from the fish would trigger a lever. That lever would release a spring-loaded part of the device, causing it to move quickly and help pull in the line. The device also had an alarm gong that would ring to let the fisher know something was happening.

This invention was important because it used simple mechanical ideas in a clever way. Springs, levers, rails, and alarms were not new by themselves, but Cook combined them to solve a real problem. His device showed how inventors often take familiar parts and arrange them in a new way to make life easier.

Cook looked at fishing and asked, “How can this be improved?” Then, he created a device that could respond automatically when a fish tugged on the line. His invention let fishermen relax instead of watching the line for hours, trusting the alarm to alert them.

Cook may not be as famous as some inventors, but his Automatic Fishing Device shows that creativity and innovation can be applied anywhere. His legacy lives on as part of the larger story of Black innovation in America.