In 23 Miles & Running, Pinkins shares his journey--with a deep sense of humility and the realization that he is not an anomaly. Just as there were many others like him walking those rows of cotton back then, there are many children still in the Mississippi Delta who continue to grow up in poverty. This book asks readers if they have ever considered what it's like growing up in one of the most poverty-stricken areas in America; chopping cotton for a living, and doing whatever it takes just to get by; ever wondered how it feels to literally get lost in a foreign country, engulfed by the culture and communities surrounding you; ever thought about the unique and unbreakable bonds built between those who go into combat together; ever imagined what it would be like to fly aboard Air Force One, sleep in the White House, or shake the hand of a President of the United States?Pinkins' story speaks to the underdog--the people in society who are facing seemingly insurmountable odds--and lets them know that they can overcome and achieve anything. Praise for 23 Miles and Running "A natural storyteller, Ty Pinkins uses words to paint a vivid picture of his experience growing up back in the post-Civil Rights era time of transition from the plantation way of life in Mississippi's rural South Delta." - Natalie Perkins, Deer Creek Pilot "You'll laugh, you'll cry, and most of all you'll think. Pinkins' American Journey will make you want to take that necessary next step toward fulfilling your own destiny." -LaQuita Cameron, author of Thought We had Forever "If you need inspiration and insight into what it takes to make change happen in your life, this is your book. Ty Pinkins' story is a beautifully written page-turner that will make you rethink what you know about dreams, poverty, and determination." -Dr. Alison Buehler, author of Growing the Good Life "A vivid picture of one man's incredible journey from the cotton fields of Mississippi to the White House. It is truly a remarkable story; one that illustrates the strength of the human spirit." -Everett Bellamy, former Dean and adjunct professor, Georgetown Law Center "This book exists as a demonstration of how opportunity, mentorship and shear will can allow an individual with little in the way of resources to craft the life we all want for ourselves and our children." -Frizell Bailey, host of Shut Your Newshole "A compelling, true account of overcoming adversity that will uplift and encourage anyone who reads it." -Morgan McClure, Founder and CEO of The She League Ty Pinkins is a decorated veteran with a 21-year military career, including three combat tours. He is co-founder and President of the Pyramid Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to exposing youth from underserved communities to the social, cultural, and economic capital necessary to help fulfill their dreams. He is dedicated to public service and is passionate about helping people who feel that the odds are stacked against them, particularly people in underserved communities like the one in which he was raised. Though his military career exposed him to opportunities outside his rural community and taught him much about the world, he never forgets that his journey began in the Mississippi Delta.