Lessons of Redemption

"Kevin Shird's remarkable journey from the corner of Mount and Fayette streets in West Baltimore - from a life nearly squandered in service of the other America's brutal underground economy - isn't yet complete. He's still learning, still fighting, still paying back. But with "Lessons of Redemption" on the page, it's clear that for him, there is no going back."

David Simon, creator of The Wire

"The book is an account of life on the streets, the impact of drugs on the community and the impact of addiction on the children of addicts. Being a Baltimore native and knowing the author for over 25 years, his story is the story of far too many."

Mario Barrett, Grammy Nominated R&B singer and actor

"Kevin Shird's book is not only a story of redemption, hope and profound personal awakening, but one that also sends the most powerful of messages -- being born into adversity is not an excuse to make fear based choices that cause chaos and harm to others and contribute, even more, to the detriment of the community you live in. Kevin's life story illustrates that we all have access to the power and leadership that resides within and can choose to unlock those gifts at anytime to unleash the transformative spirit needed to be the change we wish to see in the world."

Sonja Sohn, "The Wire”, HBO

Lessons of Redemption is the acclaimed autobiography of Kevin Shird, a former drug dealer from Baltimore City in the United States who now is a leading advocate against violence, drug dealing and social inequality.
Lessons of Redemption is no ordinary book. It is an extraordinarily account of how one young man turned his life around after years of involvement in serious crime and drug dealing. Shird’s book tells of shootings, murder, drug dealing and his life behind bars in a federal prison. Shocking, fascinating and frightening, Shird’s book is a raw, uncensored glimpse into a way of life that has destroyed many urban communities in America.