THE HOPE INSIDE: HARNESSING THE POWER OF MENTORSHIP IN LIFE AND CAREER is an awe-inspiring coming of age rendering of triumph and restoration. In his debut memoir, Kwame Johnson, Sr. documents his prodigious journey from navigating the East Side of Syracuse, and life as a teenage victim of the school to prison pipeline, to his acclaimed rise as a business magnate in the metro D.C. area and ascension as the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, a journey manifested through the power of mentorship.

After the unexpected loss of a childhood friend, Kwame faced mounting pressure to choose between staying on a good path or unwise counsel from peers in the streets. An unfortunate series of events and a chance night out resulted in a conviction and an unexpected prison sentence at the tender age of seventeen.

Amidst his sentence, Kwame committed to a routine of deep reflection, self-leadership, and accountability, ultimately revealing the error of his ways. Determined to right his wrongs and resolving to leverage the invaluable investments made by those who believed in his potential to succeed, he vowed to reshape his future against all odds. The Hope Inside: Harnessing The Power of Mentorship in Life and Career chronicles a plight to supersede statistics while resolving to serve as a beacon of hope for scores of youth in need of second chances.