First published 2025
Kevin Fredericks discovered early that making people laugh bought him extra time with the adults. His dedication to playing Goliath in church productions earned him a split lip and roaring applause. He chased the dream of entertainment stardom, but the journey proved more twisted and humiliating than expected. The NAACP Image Award winner chronicles his path through comedy's trenches, from hiding behind fake names to keep his corporate job to the night a broken chair sent him into six months of retirement. He shares the bus ride where he soiled himself next to his future spouse and the collapse of his "Dreams Don't Die" clothing venture. Fredericks argues that while most of us won't become Dwayne Johnson or Warren Buffett, the attempt itself has value. His memoir balances gut-busting anecdotes with genuine reflection, creating both entertainment and insight into modern expectations around grinding toward success.
Genres: humor, autobiography, biography-memoir, comedy
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, personal-growth
304 pages · Hardcover · Convergent Books