Help Joey Covington tell his story

Hi I'm Eliana West an author and mentor for Joey Covington

Joey Covington has documented his life as a young man growing up in Harlem in his memoir, Back When I Didn’t Know No Better. Now, Joey needs help to get his book published. Joey has always colored outside the lines, being a Black male model in the 70s, and pursuing an acting career was just the beginning as a young man in Harlem was just the beginning. Being chosen as the face of Dax Hair products gives Joey his first taste of fame and he wants more. The world looks different when you’re standing on a stage and once Joey performs in his first play, he knows he’s got to go to Hollywood. Along the way, he will make a few mistakes and do all the things his mother warned him not to do. Sex, drugs, and learning who your real friends are. Yes, it’s a Harlem story, but it isn’t a ghettotastic godfather of Harlem Blaxploitation film. This is Joey’s journey, a young man at the apex of change, living when many legendary figures from Butterfly McQueen to gangster Bumpy Johnson were familiar faces in Joey's life. At the same time, the early roots of rap and hip hop are being formed, and Joey watched it all play out as a backup singer for Oran Juice Jones. Think of Joey’s story as a continuation of the narrative told in Questlove’s award-winning film, Summer of Soul. Joey’s book is a snapshot of a vibrant Harlem filled with hardworking, passionate, and talented people. Back When I Didn’t Know No Better is not only Joey’s memoir, it’s a tribute to a neighborhood. You'll meet Junior, Red, Shorty, Flip, Slim, and Wax, Joey's friends, while there were times they got into trouble they always looked out for each other. A tale of trials, setbacks, and triumphs. It's a drama, it's a love story, it's a comedy, and a tragedy. It's Joey’s book, The Ghetto Wonder Years, It's Back When I didn't Know No Better.

Why does Joey need to raise money? The money raised will fund a professional editor, proofreader, formatting, and cover design. Joey needs a polished manuscript that will attract an agent or publisher. Back When I Didn’t Know No Better belongs on the New York Times bestseller list and you can help make that happen!