Every story has a rhythm—some born in pain, others in praise. Mine was born in both. I never set out to write a book. I set out to tell the truth. The kind of truth that hides behind closed doors, the kind that breathes between the notes of a drumline, and the kind that reminds you that redemption is not reserved for the perfect—it’s promised to the persistent. KOURAGE, WITH A ‘"K" is a raw, cinematic memoir about a boy determined to rise above the circumstances meant to break him. Born on Richmond’s Northside and raised amid addiction, instability, and abandonment, Kourage Johnson learns early that survival has a sound—and for him, it’s the cadence of a marching band drumline. As he grows, music becomes his refuge, mentors become his lifeline, and discipline becomes his weapon against a world that expects him to fail. From finding discipline in the drumline to discovering the leader he never knew he could become, Kourage’s journey reveals the complicated beauty of becoming whole in a broken world. But this story isn’t just about one boy. Kourage, With a “K” is a reflection of us: Of every mother trying to hold it together. - Of every father fighting his own battles while trying to show up the best way he can. - Of every son searching for his name. - Of every teacher, coach, pastor, and neighbor who saw light in a wounded kid and refused to let it go dim. This book is a thank-you note to the people and places that shaped me—from Richmond’s Northside to every classroom, courtroom, and church that taught me the difference between surviving and living. If you’ve ever had to start over, this is for you. If you’ve ever had to rebuild your faith, this is for you. If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and decided to rise again—this is for you. A gripping memoir for readers of The Other Wes Moore , The Pact , and Just Mercy , this is a story of trauma, triumph, and the unstoppable rhythm of resilience. —Kevin A. Starlings