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When people hear a president speak, they seldom think about others helping to shape the presentation (报告). Today, however，presidents depend on writers such as J. Terry Edmonds to help them communicate (交流) effectively. Edmonds is the first African American ever to work as a full-time speechwriter for a U. S. president；he is also the first African American to serve as director of speechwriting for the White House. His is an all-American story of success.
Edmonds grew up in Baltimore, Maryland; his father drove a truck，and his mother worked as a waitress. A great reader, Edmonds showed a gift for writing at his high school，Baltimore City College. After graduating in 1967, Edmonds went on to Morgan State University.
