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Jerald L. Hoover is multi-talented and has accomplished quite
a bit with respect to the creative, literary and entertainment
world. In 1993 he won an award for “The Best New Male Writer
of the Year” – Literary Society in Virginia. (This award was
bestowed for his fictional novel, “My Friend, My Hero”. For
the novel, Jerald was also listed from 1994 – 1996 as a Best
Selling author among young Black writers in various African
American publications.
In 1995, he was awarded the Writers
Corp Award by then President Bill Clinton. In 1998, Jerald was
inducted into the Mount Vernon Boy’s and Girl’s Club Hall of
Fame. (This is the same club that Denzel Washington grew up
and served in).
In 2003, then Bronx Borough President Adolfo
Carrion awarded Jerald with a Citation of Merit Award for his work with young people
in Bronx elementary and middle schools. In 2007, Basketball Hall of Fame and New
York Post writer, Peter Vecsey featured Jerald in a Sunday story giving recognition for
his work on his first documentary, “Four Square Miles to Glory”. And in 2011, Jerald
was nominated for Honorable Mention for being Best Sportswriter of the Year by – Black
Press Radio.
Also in 2011, Jerald was a Semi Finalist for his screenplay of My Friend, My
Hero, by the Gotham Screen Screenplay Contest. Jerald is a sportswriter and has covered
the New York Knicks and New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets: for Black Athlete Sports Network,
The Network Journal, Sportstyle New York, Pure Sports New York and BustaSports.
com. Jerald teaches at Long Island University as an adjunct professor in the area of Sports
Communication. He has also directed documentaries on Kool Moe Dee and Felipe Lopez
for the “Life in the Day” series; directed plays for his church’s annual convocation for the
past eight years, he is also an in-demand motivational speaker who overcame a childhood
speech impediment.
My Friend, My Hero is the first of a four part series which took him
nine years to get published after getting rejected over forty times throughout the nine year
period and over sixty drafts completed. The first nine drafts were written by hand because
he couldn’t afford a typewriter or computer.
About My Friend, My Hero
As one of the top basketball players in New York State, Bennett Wilson, is destined to
take Mount Vernon High to the state championship for the first time. With the nation’s top
colleges clamoring for his services, he is guaranteed a scholarship. With fame and fortune
waiting, the world is Bennett’s oyster. Or, so we think. Bennett’s life is actually plagued
with strife. As the oldest of three children living with their single mother in the tough inner
city projects of Mount Vernon, the thought of choosing the fast life of the streets was never
an option. His ticket out of despair was through basketball and academics. However, when
Bennett learns his sick mother is three months behind in rent and was served an eviction
notice, Bennett wonders if he can resist the temptation of fast money. Will he answer the
call he’s avoided all his life and what would it cost him if he does?
Author’s Gratitude
I am thankful to have the opportunity to share my story and look forward to new experiences.
I want to thank my son, Jordan, an incredible person and the pride of my life and my mother, my super hero, Hilda.
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