Jump

My Secret Journey from the Streets to the Boardroom

By: Larry Miller, Laila Lacy

Narrated by: JD Jackson

IN THE MARGINS 2023 TOP TITLE FOR NONFICTION

One of the most successful Black businessmen in the country, who has led Nike’s Jordan Brand from a $200M sneaker company to a $4B global apparel juggernaut, tells the remarkable story of his rise from gangland violence to the pinnacles of international business.

Jump tells Larry Miller’s journey from the violent streets of West Philly in the 1960s to the highest echelons of American sports and industry. Miller wound up in jail more than once, especially as a teenager. But he immersed himself in the educational opportunities, eventually took advantage of a Pennsylvania state education-release program offered to incarcerated people, and was able to graduate with honors from Temple University.

When revealing his gangland past caused him to lose his first major job opportunity, Miller vowed to keep it a secret. He climbed the corporate ladder with a number of companies such as Kraft Foods, Campbell’s Soup, and Jantzen, until Nike hired him to run its domestic apparel operations. Around the time of Michael Jordan’s basketball retirement, Nike Chairman Phil Knight made Larry Miller president of the newly formed Jordan Brand. In 2007 Paul Allen convinced Miller to jump to the NBA to become president of the Portland Trailblazers, one of the first African-Americans to lead a professional sports team, before returning to Jordan Brand in 2012.

All along, Miller lived two lives: the secret of his violent past haunted him, invading his days with migraines and his sleep with nightmares of getting hauled back to jail. More than a rags-to-riches story, Jump is also a passionate appeal for criminal justice reform and expanded educational opportunities for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people across the United States. Drawing on his powerful personal story, as well as his vast and well-connected network, Miller plans to use Jump as a launching point to help expand such opportunities and to provide an aspirational journey for those who need hope.

©2021 Larry Miller (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Excellent

Thoroughly enjoyed listening to the book. Finished in one day. His story was an inspiration and should be shared with a larger audience. Considering the increase in crime which seems to be universal, lots more young folks may benefit from hearing it.

Courage and resilience.

Kudos to Laila for encouraging her dad to share his story. I’ve been trying to encourage my dad to share his for years and he hasn’t YET. This reminds me to not give up.
Mr. Miller’s story highlights sooooo much truth in the inner city, personal struggles and fighting through everything that is against you. I commend you Mr. Miller for having the courage to share. I commend you for having the courage to fight and the resilience to keep pushing no matter what. This book is powerful and motivating especially for those of us that come from the hood. Thank you for all that you given to the culture and everything that you fought for. Truly appreciate it. My big take away from this book is “It’s possible” and with courage and resilience “Anything is possible”.

Great book

Best book I’ve ever read. The story is down to Earth and encouraging. I recommend this book to ALL readers

Love love this book!

Very Inspirational it took a extreme amount of courage to tell this story, a story of pain, suffering, love,redemption and forgiveness. Bravo to the writers!👏🏾✊🏾🖤🕊

ENCOURAGING

Loved it...encouraged my 16 and 18 year old grandsons to read and to write a book report, give it to me, I will know that it's been read.

Quiet Courage

Larry digs deep to tell the world his story. His rise to the top is fascinating and the underlying humanity commendable.

Amazing

This is an amazing story. So honest and heartbreaking. Every young person should hear this story

Inspiring

Loved this book from start to finish. I could picture each scene vividly as the reader read.

Truth

This book outlines the amazing story of perseverance. Loved how this story was told and the level of detail.

A great story

A really excellent book. It’s almost surprising that one guy’s life can have so many different brushes with history