Tray Chaney of HBO's The Wire Partners with Author Yolonda D. Coleman

Tray Chaney portrays Poot on the HBO Peabody award-winning series The Wire. However, the PG County MD actor is not just satisfied with a career on cable television. “I wanted to share my story to help young cats who are trying to do the same thing I am,” Chaney said. So, he decided to script his life in a book, and sought assistance with the project. 

It was 2005 when Chaney first met author Yolonda D. Coleman. They were attending a screening of For Thy Love in Richmond, Virginia. Chaney was featured in the independent film. Director Gregory Coleman introduced Chaney and Coleman. Understanding there is a time and place for everything, Coleman reserved the moment to “talk shop” with Chaney for another time. 

Although they exchanged contact information through a third party, Coleman and Chaney never had a chance to connect. 

On March 30, 2006, Coleman spotted Chaney in a Largo, MD restaurant. It was the eve of Coleman’s 30th birthday and the anniversary of her mother’s passing. 

“Excuse me, are you Tray Chaney?” Coleman remembers asking. He confirmed his identity and from that moment a partnership was formed. 

After seeing Coleman’s work, Chaney asked Coleman to co-author The Truth You Can’t BeTRAY: The Tray Chaney Story. “It will read more like a novel than a biography,” Coleman promises. “We wanted the title alone to draw in readers,” Chaney said. Thanks to Coffeedreamz intern, Brandon Walker, Chaney has a title he notes as “fire.” 

The Truth You Can’t BeTRAY discusses Chaney’s path to stardom from age 6, the unforeseen roadblocks along the way, and the moment his life changed after the studio lights went out.
Chaney and Coleman are stepping out on faith and really making their coffeedreamz come true. “We’re going to take the book world by surprise,” Chaney said. Expect the unexpected. In the meantime, tune into the 4th season of The Wire
beginning September 10, 2006.