Overview

Oakland Hills, Milwaukee Rivers: A Memoir of Survival, Identity, and Purpose (Second Edition) By Dr. Keyimani L. Alford It began with a knock. A slow, steady knock-calm, intentional. The kind that didn't just interrupt a quiet Saturday. It altered everything. In the back room of a dim apartment in Oakland, a boy sat alone on a dusty carpeted floor, tracing shapes with his fingers-pretending they were roads to somewhere better. The flicker of a black-and-white TV played to no audience. The bed sat off-center, its frame tired, its blanket wrinkled. No dresser. No posters. Just silence. Until that knock. Two voices filled the hallway. Then came another knock-closer, gentler-on his door. A woman entered like a quiet storm. And for the first time in what felt like forever, someone looked at him-not past him, not through him, but at him. And that changed everything. In this expanded second edition of Oakland Hills, Milwaukee Rivers, Dr. Keyimani L. Alford reopens the door to a past shaped by instability, silence, and survival-and walks readers through a journey of reclamation. From the hills of East Oakland to the rivers of Milwaukee, this isn't just a story of what he lived through. It's about what he learned, lost, and continues to uncover. What's new in this edition? A soul-shaping fishing trip with Aunt Grace that brings clarity to the meaning of love and legacy A moment of truth when coming out to his mother-followed by silence that lasted longer than the words The ache of losing community in a church once filled with belonging, and the surprising return of faith The weight of generational scars, and the slow rebuilding of identity beyond survival The Hills represent what he tried to outrun: Addiction. Hunger. Abuse. A mother's slow fade behind a closed door. The Rivers represent what carried him forward: Aunties who showed up. Friends who stayed. A boy who learned to find hope in the gaps. This book is for those who: Sat on the floor as children, wondering if anyone would come Grew up learning to stay quiet so they wouldn't get hurt Carry identities that never fit neatly in one box Are still learning how to forgive-and still unsure if they can Want truth. Not polished, not perfect-but honest Early Praise for the Second Edition""The additions around Aunt Grace and identity brought me to tears."" ""This book handed me back pieces of myself I didn't know I had lost."" From the Author""I didn't write this from the finish line. I'm still healing, still becoming. But I believe there's purpose in that. I wrote this for the child in me-and the version of you who still needs to hear: You are not too broken to be whole."" Oakland Hills, Milwaukee Rivers isn't just a memoir. It's a mirror. A reckoning. A declaration. It's not about who Keyimani was-it's about who he's becoming. And it dares you to ask the same of yourself.

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9798992086997

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Reviews

Advance Praise for the Second Edition This book is truly exceptional-from its thoughtful layout to its powerful words. If you're looking for a read that will make you reflect, snap your fingers, laugh, and maybe even shed a tear, this is the book for you. The testimony shared within these pages is nothing short of amazing. It took immense vulnerability and courage not only to write this book but to share it with the world."" - Beta Reader, Milwaukee A story that makes you laugh, cry, and look within. ""Keyimani dives even deeper in this powerful second edition of Oakland Hills, Milwaukee Rivers. Raw, reflective, and emotionally gripping -this version hits harder and reaches places the first one didn't dare to go. With every turn of the page, I found myself pausing to reflect on my own life. His vulnerability isn't just shared - it's served, inviting us to grow through his truth. A must read journey you won't want to put down."" - Playwright and Independent Filmmaker, Milwaukee Bolder, deeper, and more transformative than ever. This book was an incredible and easy read. Transitioning from the first part to the more detailed and well-evaluated second part was a seamless process. Meeting the author later in life and reading about all the struggles and triumphs one has endured is a testament to the author's remarkable work. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with life and seeking a glimmer of hope. It would also make an excellent movie!"" - Entrepreneur and Nonprofit Board Executive, Houston Seamless, powerful, unforgettable - this memoir stays with you.

Author Information

Dr. Keyimani L. Alford is an author, higher education leader, and motivational speaker who helps people reclaim their narrative, lead with confidence, and grow through healing. A first-generation college student turned national thought leader, Dr. Alford brings over two decades of experience in leadership, student success, and equity-based programming. He holds a doctorate in education and has built his career championing access for underrepresented communities.Born in Oakland and raised in Milwaukee, his writing draws from personal adversity, including childhood trauma, identity struggle, and loss-offering readers hard-won lessons on survival, purpose, and resilience. He is the author of Oakland Hills, Milwaukee Rivers (First and Second Editions), Unshaken Leadership, The Healing Companion, and the Keywords Unlocked 2025 Motivational Planner. Through his platform drkeyspeaks.com, he uplifts others through storytelling, leadership development, and faith-based encouragement.

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