Quite the Contrary: On Life, Work, and Loving Miles Davis

Summary

Yvonne Durant was one of the few Black women writing ads for major brands in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Ambitious and determined, she ultimately won a position at a global ad agency in Milan, Italy. While her career was exciting, it was a challenge to be self-defining in a Mad Men world that had little experience with or respect for Black experience.   

One Mother's Day, Yvonne was having dinner with her identical twin, Yvette, at a very popular restaurant called The Cellar. That dinner turned into a life-changing event when Miles Davis stopped by her table. What ensued was romantic, frantic, and full of everything. It was unforgettable.     

In Quite the Contrary, Durant presents a unique coming-of-age story of a career woman who was determined to chart her course and succeed on her terms while maintaining her sanity in life, work, and love. It's a rare glimpse into the life of That Girl or Mary Tyler Moore from an African American perspective.