Think You'll Be Happy

A NATIONAL BESTSELLER!

“Nicole Avant gives a raw and courageous look into how she found the light in her darkest moment. She reminds us that grief is different for everyone, and we have the power to move through it in our own unique way.” —Cleo Wade, New York Times Bestselling Author

“A love song to a great woman told through the eyes of the great woman she created.”—Tyler Perry

The USA Today bestseller, a spirit-lifting memoir about overcoming adversity, how to turn pain into purpose, how to live always in gratitude, and how to face down tragedy and turn it into love.

Nicole Avant—diplomat, philanthropist, filmmaker—grew up surrounded by some of the most extraordinary artists of our time: Bill Withers, Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones, Sidney Poitier. Her parents—entertainment mogul, Clarence Avant, and legendary philanthropist, Jacqueline Avant—turned their home into a place of refuge and inspiration for a generation of geniuses. Nicole drew on that magical upbringing to create a stellar career in the music business, become the U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas, and produce critically acclaimed award-winning films and documentaries. Then, an unthinkable tragedy struck: her mother was fatally shot in December 2021.

In this searing and inspiring memoir, Nicole turns the pain of her family’s loss into the fuel that pushes her forward into an even more committed life of love and activism: “We can’t banish evil,” she writes. “We have to learn to swim through trauma and live for all of those who can’t.” Turning tragedy into inspiration, Think You’ll Be Happy—her mom’s last words to Nicole—provides a roadmap for healing from loss for anyone working to remain positive and anchored in hope. 

How do you turn unimaginable pain into a life of purpose?
A Mother’s Legacy: How Jacqueline Avant’s final words to her daughter—"Think you’ll be happy"—became a mantra for a life filled with intention and love.Finding Gratitude in Grief: Discover how the author transforms the anguish of her family’s tragedy into a powerful force for activism and positive change.Lessons from Legends: A rare, intimate look at the wisdom shared by family friends like Oprah Winfrey, Sidney Poitier, and Bill Withers, and how it shaped her journey.Strength and Resilience: An honest guide to navigating trauma, offering a spirit-lifting roadmap for anyone working to stay anchored in hope after loss.