North Minneapolis Community Member Kevin Jenkins Celebrates Launch of New Book: Victory Over Kidney Disease
Kevin Jenkins, a long-time north Minneapolis resident and survivor of kidney disease, celebrated the launch of his first book, Victory Over Kidney Disease while surrounded by family, friends, and community members. The book launch was held on November 4, 2021 at the newly remodeled Capri Theater in north Minneapolis. Jenkins was joined by many people dear to him, including his mother, siblings and cousins who have been an important part of his support system. The night was filled with joy, laughter, and many memories as the release of the book also marks 20 years since Jenkins’ successful kidney transplant.
The launch party was a space to celebrate the release of Jenkins’ first book, as well as a time of community healing and reflection. Jenkins mentioned during his remarks on Thursday, “Now you won’t see this at any other book launch events,” speaking of the sand ceremony that was performed during the event to honor 10 people whose lives impacted his journey in great ways, each of which have now passed on from this life. As Jenkins was telling their stories, it was a time for everyone in the room to honor and remember people who had been important to the rich community represented there. Jenkins, on what people can take away from the book launch event: “Never forget your past and the people that helped you along your journey.”
Victory Over Kidney Disease is both an account of Jenkins’ journey through kidney failure, and a resource with suggestions on how to maintain health for others living with kidney failure and other health conditions. Diagnosed with kidney failure in 1997, Jenkins made a decision to turn his health around and to surround himself with people who would encourage and hold him accountable. The author says of his books debut, “This book is timeless. What I mean by that is when we leave this earth there will still be diseases and people affected by them, this book will give them a good starting point.”
The book includes a breakdown of 8 principles that Jenkins used to get him through his journey toward health and recovery. The 8 principles are: Spirituality, Medication, Nutrition, Exercise, Positive People and Friends, Decision Making, The Plan of Action, and The Outcome. Jenkins says, “If I would have had a resource like this book when I first started, it would have made a great impact on my journey.” The author hopes this book can serve as a resource to so many who are facing similar health challenges.
“Surrounding yourself with positive people, family and friends is really a key principle. I think the book launch was an example of that; so many people came out to support Kevin,” Mary Taris, Founder and CEO of Strive Publishing, the publisher for Jenkins’ book, reflects on the impact and importance of the launch. “It was a powerfully positive atmosphere. When Kevin was telling his stories, the community there knew what he was talking about because they were with him through it,” says Taris.
Strive’s mission is to inspire community collaboration in publishing stories to heal, teach, learn, and earn, while building an ecosystem that embodies a rich Black culture and heritage. Taris adds, “This is a testament to the importance of having our own spaces and creating our own opportunities to share our stories--it resonates with the community. Kevin is a pillar of life and light in the community, he is the kind of author that Strive is proud to represent.”
Victory Over Kidney Disease can be purchased online at www.strivepublishing.com and at The Strive Bookstore inside Sistah Co-op, located in the IDS Center, downtown Minneapolis.
- LaToya Taris-James, Strive Publishing Marketing Assistant
