D. Watkins

1. Watkins is a New York Times bestselling author, HBO writer, and professor at the University of Baltimore. After losing his brother and best friend at age 18, Watkins became involved in narcotics use and sales. Following a series of pivotal experiences, he used the proceeds from these activities to purchase a bar. Watkins later overcame addiction and street life, graduating from Johns Hopkins University, which inducted him into its Society of Scholars and named him a Distinguished Alumnus. He holds a master's in education from Johns Hopkins University and an MFA in creative writing from the University of Baltimore.

Watkins is the author of several books rooted in his experiences growing up in East Baltimore. His first book, "The Beast Side: Living (and Dying) While Black in America," explores systemic racism and the challenges within the education system, particularly for Black men. "The Cook Up: A Crack Rock Memoir" details the operations of a drug enterprise following his brother's death, his acceptance to college, and his struggle to leave the drug trade. The memoir was named an editor's pick by The New York Times. "We Speak for Ourselves" is a collection of essays highlighting Black voices in East Baltimore and was selected for the Enoch Pratt Free Library's One Book Baltimore program. His memoir "Black Boy Smile," published by Legacy Lit, won the Paris Book Award for General Nonfiction and examines masculinity and the process of unlearning toxic traits.

In addition to his books, Watkins has collaborated with NBA player Carmelo Anthony on "Where Tomorrows Aren't Promised," which documents Anthony's journey from Red Hook, Brooklyn, and West Baltimore to the NBA. Watkins also co-authored "The Wire: The Complete Visual History" with David Simon, a retrospective of the critically acclaimed show, and contributed as a writer to the HBO miniseries "We Own This City." He hosted the companion podcast for the series and appeared in the HBO documentary "The Slow Hustle."

Watkins's work has appeared in the New York Times, Esquire, New York Times Magazine, The Guardian, and Rolling Stone, among other publications. He is a professor at the University of Baltimore and founder of the BMORE Writers Project. Watkins has been featured as a guest and commentator on NBC's Meet the Press, CNN's The Erin Burnett Show, Democracy Now, and NPR's Morning Edition, and has lectured at universities and events worldwide. His honors include the BMe Genius Grant, the City Lit Dambach Award for Service to the Literary Arts, the Maryland Library Association's William Wilson Maryland Author Award, and the Ford's Men of Courage award. Watkins has also been named a Gordon Parks Fellow and received a James Beard Media Award for his Salon essay on sobriety, as well as a Vernon Jarrett Medal for Journalistic Excellence.