Comin' Home

Born and raised in the projects of Newark, NJ, Willie Joe Cunningham aspires to become a professional basketball player. Surrounded by everything from race riots to drug and alcohol abuse, Willie Joe manages to rise above his humble beginnings. Guided early by a few caring mentors, he now has to confront the issues of race and politics. After qualifying for a spot on a professional basketball team, he suffers an inury and a career setback. Willie Joe overcomes his injury, marries his college sweetheart and becomes a successful college basketball coach. He settles in suburbia. His perfect world is unsettled by the appearance of a former teammate, who implores him to come home andhelp the youth of his native city of Newark. Torn between two worlds, he finds major obstacles that include a wanting wife and an even more wanting ex-lover. Willie Joe's story concerns the search for one's own moral compass. It is everyone's story, regardless of his or her circumstances.

About the Author
Townes, Walter: - Walter Townes, a native of Queens, NY, has proven himself in both the business and the sports worlds. This book-and the resulting future film, is his first effort into the literary world. Walter has led the charge in team building, serving as a college basketball coach for several prestigious schools. He has coached on all levels ranging from Big East St. Johns under legendary hall of famer Lou Carnesecca, to great academic institutions such as Dartmouth and Columbia University. Walter served as head coach at both Clarkson University and Drew University, also coaching at Rutgers University and College of the Holy Cross. He has recruited and coached numerous players who have gone on to the NBA and to Europe to play professionally. In addition to his twenty-five years in collegiate athletics, Walt founded and ran community youth development programs and instituted alumni programs for student athletes, as well as developing new classes. He has turned around marginally performing teams that far exceeded their goals. Currently, he serves as Athletic Director fo the Knox School in St. James, New York, where he resides with his wife Kelly and their daughters Jordyn Elisabeth and Jacklyn Patrica. Walter holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Clark University, and has done graduate studies in Education Administration at St. Johns University. Although fictionalized, this book is semi-autobiographical in nature. Walt's message focuses on the importance of education-and rising above one's circumstances and humble beginnings. Barry Cohen has devoted the last 32 years to a career in advertising and public relations. Born in Newark, NJ, he is a cum laude graduate in English from Kean University. He has addressed audiences at trade shows and conferences across the U.S. and contributed to several business and trade publications. Barry has been profiled in numerous publications and interviewed on several major radio stations.