Jump (eBook)

IN THE MARGINS 2023 TOP TITLE FOR NONFICTIONOne of the most successful Black businessmen in the country, who has led Nikes Jordan Brand from a$200Msneakercompany to a $4Bglobal appareljuggernaut, tells the remarkable story of his rise from gangland violenceto the pinnacles ofinternationalbusiness.Jump tells Larry Millers journey from the violent streets of West Philly in the 1960s to the highest echelonsof American sports and industry.Millerwound up in jailmore than once, especially as a teenager.But he immersed himself in the educationalopportunities, eventually took advantage of a Pennsylvania state education-release program offered to incarcerated people, and was able to graduate with honors from Temple University.When revealing his gangland pastcaused him to losehis first major job opportunity, Miller vowed tokeep it a secret. Heclimbed the corporate ladder with a number of companies such as Kraft Foods, Campbells Soup, and Jantzen, until Nike hired him to run its domestic appareloperations. Around the time ofMichael Jordans basketball retirement,Nike ChairmanPhil Knight madeLarry Millerpresidentof the newly formed Jordan Brand.In 2007 Paul Allen convinced Miller to jump to the NBA to becomepresident ofthePortland Trailblazers, one of the first African-Americans to lead a professional sports team, before returning to Jordan Brand in 2012.All along,Miller lived two lives:the secret ofhis violent past hauntedhim,invadinghis days with migraines and his sleep with nightmares of getting hauled back to jail.More than a rags-to-riches story, Jump is also a passionate appeal for criminal justice reform and expanded educational opportunities for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people across the United States. Drawing on his powerful personal story, as well as his vast and well-connected network, Miller plans to useJumpas a launching point to help expand such opportunities and to provide an aspirational journey for those who need hope.