Leaving Breezy Street

“[T]he empowering, steely and emotional update on Myers-Powell’s life today, [is] a tale-within-a-tale that’ll make you teary-eyed . . . ”—The Washington Informer

“If you want a tale that'll drop your jaw every few pages, Leaving Breezy Street is the book to get out.”—The Miami Times

“Myers-Powell inspires readers to root for her as she climbs back to control her own life and become a forceful advocate for fellow survivors.”—The National Book Review

“Though often devastating, her frank, revealing account is nevertheless infused with warmth, optimism, and hope.”—Chicago Review of Books

“It’s a book that balances hard truths about growing up poor, Black and female in Chicago with the hope that is inherent in Brenda’s extraordinary life story. Playing against survival-memoir type, Leaving Breezy Street is also deeply, genuinely funny.”—Anne K. Ream, Newcity

“Myers-Powell’s book is a stunning debut; a heartfelt memoir about turning her life around . . . Told by Myers-Powell with threads of joy and humor woven throughout.”—Chicago Crusader

“Brenda Meyers-Powell’s story is testament that there are, indeed, second acts in life. Her journey as told in Leaving Breezy Street is remarkable, if not chilling, as she faces a cascade of violence and betrayal, mostly at the hands of men. But astonishingly she never loses her verve or her humor, and emerges on the other side not only intact but as an inspiration.”—Alex Kotlowitz, author of An American Summer, winner of the J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize

“Through all the love that she’s missed on, Brenda Myers-Powell gives hope. She is a voice for the voiceless. Also she’s funny, she’s intense, she’s retained her soul, and redemption turns her into a potential leader of the most needed kind: she’s real. I hope that the light that Brenda allowed through reaches you too.”—Mariane Pearl, author of A Mighty Heart: The Brave Life and Death of My Husband Daniel Pearl

“Brenda Myers-Powell has a powerful and true story. From poverty, prostitution and jail, she struggled to become an advocate for trafficked women, a public speaker and now, the author of this deeply moving and amazing book chronicling her unbelievable journey to new life. A testimony to human possibilities in the face of great odds. It’s hard to put down.”—Edwina Gately, author of I Hear a Seed Growing

“To stand in one truth and allow yourself to be seen is one of the bravest things an individual can do. In her memoir, Brenda Myers-Powell is brave, authentic, and a bit gritty in a remarkable way. At every moment in Leaving Breezy Street you felt you were there, experiencing the pain and finding the resilience to keep pushing to find joy through it all alongside her.”—Marcus Samuelsson, author of Yes, Chef: A Memoir

“An earnest memoir of life on the mean streets by the founder of a survivors group . . . The author’s story, co-written by Reynolds, is consistently frank and often shocking.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Throughout a life of uphill battles, abuse, and hustling, Myers-Powell has managed to retain her humor, attitude, and fight, all on full display in this stirring memoir . . . Graphic but never gratuitous, Leaving Breezy Street is engaging and candid. Those who like gritty memoirs will relish it, and it is a perfect nonfiction crossover for urban fiction readers.”—Booklist

“Myers-Powell pulls no punches in her piercing debut . . . stirring. This page-turner impresses from start to finish.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)