NEW! LISTEN+WATCH
“A basketball was Jerome Allen’s passport from poverty to privilege and access. Privilege and access would be his undoing, almost costing him everything.. If you want to understand what happens after a revered sports figure falls from grace, I recommend reading When The Alphabet Comes."
—Stephanie A. Tryce, J.D. , St. Joseph’s University
WHEN
THE
ALPHABET
COMES
a powerful memoir by Jerome Allen
A new interview with Spike Eskin and Michael Levin at:
The author
Jerome Allen is an NBA assistant coach for the Boston Celtics. He is a graduate of the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, where, prior to joining the Celtics staff, he served as the John. R. Rockwell Head Coach of Men’s Basketball. Beginning in 1995 as the 2nd Round draft pick of the Minnesota Timberwolves, his professional basketball career spanned 14 years, in 4 different NBA cities and 6 different countries throughout Europe. Since 1999, he has worked to create sustainable social impacts for youth from communities that struggle with educational and economic access. Drawing upon 19 years of experience in educational consulting and his own life, Jerome Allen actively supports and inspires students to develop their gifts through education. Allen is the father of four children. He and his wife, Aida, have been married since 1998.
Listen to Jerome Allen read the prologue from When the Alphabet Comes
The book
The book
By the time Jerome Allen was in junior high, he was on a trajectory that would expose him to worlds beyond his North Philadelphia neighborhood. In his memoir, WHEN THE ALPHABET COMES: A Life Changed by Exposure, he chronicles not only his exposure to affluence, celebrity and living abroad, but the consequences of unwanted public exposure during a college admissions scandal and federal prosecution. As Allen reviews his changing personal landscapes of integrity, reputation, leadership, altruism, access and privilege, he reveals how he remains grounded in faith and family.
“When The Alphabet Comes dangles a mirror in front of the reader, daring us to reckon with a reflection of our truest selves—what if you thought you threw it all away? Jerome's story is impossible to believe, yet he reveals himself with a degree of vulnerability that inspires us to live more courageously. Read this book to be touched by a journey through worlds that weren't supposed to intersect, to a place where family and faith are the ultimate destination.”
—Michael Lintulahti Associate Athletic Director Germantown Friends School
Reactions + Reviews
9/23/20 Philadelphia Inquirer -- "Penn basketball legend Jerome Allen wrote a tell-all book ... about himself | Mike Jensen
9/23/20 The Undefeated -- "Celtics assistant Jerome Allen discusses new book detailing NCAA scandal" ‘No one is necessarily perfect, but even in failure … you still have purpose’" | Marc J. Spears
Audio + Virtual Book Launch
Enjoy the first episode of this 3-part series about the book, the bubble, and life when Jerome is interviewed by Bill Rhoden and Kenneth Shropshire
Enjoy the first episode of this 3-part series about the book, the bubble, and life when Jerome is interviewed by Bill Rhoden and Kenneth Shropshire
Enjoy the first episode of this 3-part series about the book, the bubble, and life when Jerome is interviewed by Bill Rhoden and Kenneth Shropshire
Enjoy the first episode of this 3-part series about the book, the bubble, and life when Jerome is interviewed by Bill Rhoden and Kenneth Shropshire
Enjoy the first episode of this 3-part series about the book, the bubble, and life when Jerome is interviewed by Bill Rhoden and Kenneth Shropshire
The look
This is where you'll find videos, photos and announcements for live readings from When the Alphabet Comes.
Have you been following "The Restart" on Jerome's IG? Keith Pompey has! The Philadelphia Inquirer sports reporter calls it a "must follow."
Book signing in The Bubble.
Check out the Blog for video!
The listen
This is where you'll find info about interviews, readings, and maybe even a new mix by DJ Pooh Allen.
Enjoy Episode 2 of this 3-part series. Jerome talks about the process of writing When the Alphabet Comes and Varsity Blues with Bill Rhoden and Kenneth Shropshire.
Enjoy the first episode of this 3-part series about the book, the bubble, and life when Jerome is interviewed by Bill Rhoden and Kenneth Shropshire
WHEN THE ALPHABET COMES IS NOW AVAILABLE! The book was officially released on September 3 in the NBA Bubble in Orlando. What better way to celebrate a virtual launch than a visit to Club ReStart, DJ Pooh Allen's IG LIVE feature that can happen when you least expect it. Follow him at jeromeallen53.
Purchase When the Alphabet Comes.
Demand has exceeded expectations!
While distriutors like Amazon.com and B&N restock, you can still buy the book direct from BoobkBaby's Bookstore.
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