Communication studies senior Shanderrick Williams personifies the story of the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete. From an impoverished childhood to becoming an author and owner of his own publishing company, Williams shares his experiences in his book, “The Lost Power.”
Williams said he was raised by his grandparents after his mother went to jail. As a child growing up in the Glen Oaks and Dixie area of Baton Rouge, drug abuse and violence were common occurrences.
“When I was on that street, [of the] 16 people I grew up with … 10 of them died,” he said. “I went to 10 funerals of people I used to tackle and shoot jumpshots with in the backyard.”
Though surrounded by negativity, Williams went on to excel academically and even enrolled at Morehouse College in Atlanta for a semester, though he later returned to Baton Rouge to care for his ailing grandfather. During that time, Williams was inspired to write after a late-night vision.
“One day at LSU, I was in the dorm at two in the morning when I had a dream about me creating a book that would sell 50,000 copies,” he said.
Two years, countless edits and twelve chapters later, “The Lost Power” was completed.
The book is a guide through his personal journey. Universal themes of growth, love and forgiveness resonate through its pages, said Williams.
“It was written to expose my lifestyle,” Williams said. “I wanted to tell the world that yes, my mom did drugs, and yes, we didn’t have a house, but I grew from it.”
Though short of his 50,000 goal, Williams said he’s sold 10,000 copies since the book’s release last November.
And he’s been surprised by the response to his book.
“I had people calling me from all over the country thanking me for this book. I actually see this book going all over the world.”
Williams said he wants to reach youth from poverty-stricken areas, especially Baton Rouge.
“People in poverty are filled with so much energy and so much potential,” he said. “I want to help find that lost power. The power to change, the power to be free … the power lost inside of you.”
Williams, who graduates next spring, is currently working on a follow-up project, “Escaping Poverty.” He plans to release the book next February, which is projected to sell 50,000 copies, according to Williams. His books can be purchased on his website at scwilliams.org.
Despite a successful career as an author, he’s chooses to stay in school.
“Education is the statistical sure way to escape poverty,” Williams said. “At the end of the day, I want more people like me to be liberated from the disease.”