As seen on Humans of New York, Jonathan Conyers introduces us to the teachers, his debate coach, drug dealers, and a boy named Diego who changed his life.
Everybody was rooting for Jonathan Conyers after seeing his profile on Humans of New York went viral and sparked millions in donations to the Brooklyn Debate League. The kid who went from struggling to read to being a breakout star on his high school debate team, thanks to a life-changing friendship with his transgender debate coach, captured the heart of America. Jonathan’s story highlights the important role teachers play in opening up worlds of opportunity for the most vulnerable students.
In I Wasn’t Supposed to Be Here, Jonathan shares the full story of his incredible journey escaping the precarious circumstances he was born into, and the teachers, mentors, and guides who helped him along the way.
Born into a family crippled by addiction and homelessness, Jonathan “failed” kindergarten and was told he would never succeed academically. But instead, Jonathan found ways to defy the limited expectations placed upon him by building a village to save his own life, and realize his dream to get into medical school.
Throughout this heartwarming memoir, we meet the unique and diverse cast of characters who made up Jonathan’s village and helped him change the trajectory of his life.
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His mere living is an act of rebellion, Conyers invites us into a life hard-lived in a family and world that sought to extinguish his light. With compassion and frustration alike, Conyers navigates New York City, Virginia, and the systems meant to help—but utterly fail—families like his. Most precious is the vulnerability shown by his admitted imperfection, allowing us to cheer even in those moments for his success. Conyers builds his own ‘village’ of helpers because his light cannot be extinguished.” —David Ambroz, author of A Place Called Home
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