Dear Nolita

by Wesley Hawkins

The Stunning Story of Our NeighborsWelcome to the meanest streets in America.Where Wesley Hawkins grew up, abandoned buildings were called “abandominiums.” More families lived in these burned-out houses without utilities than could afford rent or running water. Neighbors shared electricity by running extension cords out of their windows, and and anyone had anything, shared.But it wasn’t all tales of heartwarming community. In such extreme poverty, drugs were the only way out. Whether you were using them - like Hawkins’ mother, whose heartbreaking story inspired his mentorship work - or selling them, like Hawkins was by the age of eleven in order to help feed his brothers and sisters.Some of you readers know exactly the America that Wesley Hawkins grew up in. You know it because you live there too. The most surprising part of this story, for you, might be the triumph through which Hawkins got out of the drug game and dedicated his life to helping other kids succeed and move up in the world while avoiding the drugs that destroyed his family, and killed his mother and her husband. Hawkins hopes his story will show you new worlds that are possible for you.Other readers may be more shocked by the true stories of tragedy contained in these pages - the sexual abuse suffered by Hawkins’ grandmother and his mother, the abuse of children in underground fighting rings, and the deaths and his mother and her husband from drug-related causes. Hawkins hopes this book might change the way you see your neighbors, and those laws which show little regard for their well-being.Hawkins’ non-profit, The Nolita Project, seeks to show youth raised in poverty that a better future really is possible for them. The Nolita Project provides mentorship, supportive relationships, tutoring, classes, and other services to kids from neighborhoods like the ones Hawkins himself grew up in. Read this book, and visit DearNolita.org, to find out how you can help.

205 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 20, 2019

Reviews

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw Wesley Hawkins speak at a rally the beginning of June in Baltimore. I can't say enough nice things about him as a person, orator, organizer, and human being just from that brief interaction - I didn't even speak to him directly or have a conversation with him: He is a community organizer who is doing amazing things out there for his/"our" community. Wesley Hawkins embodied such deep, textured, passionate responses in the crowds he was speaking to and I won't forget his power or how he made me feel and even his 'professionalism' if that's even the right word I'm trying to say.

I followed his social media and saw he wrote this book! So obviously I had to read it. I've read a ton of books, but I don't recall reading a self published book so this might be my first?

I'm deeply touched by his story, his life, what he is doing now, everything that happened to him. There are moments in this book I think are going to stay with me for a very long time and I want to pass it around to everyone (but I'd hope they'd buy a copy to support!). It really just brings home to me that we live and grow up in 2 separate worlds entirely. I cannot recommend this book enough. It is an "easy" read at 200-ish pages - took me only 1 afternoon -, but this is a raw and powerful journey through Baltimore that he lived and is still living. What an incredible person! I am in awe of him and what he's trying to do for the world and the kids. Honestly, I just want to thank him for sharing his story: This is what we talk about when we talk about needing 'diverse books' - I've never read anything quite like it - Move over a little bit, Wes Moore. This is the voice I'm interested in and am going to recommend.