Upward Road: The Inspiring Autobiography of Poet Dadisi Mwende Netifnet
From the soul of Charleston to the heart of America’s civil rights movement, one man’s journey of resilience, identity, and transformation.
Step into the powerful and deeply moving life story of Dadisi Mwende Netifnet—born Marvin Leroy Alston—as he navigates the challenges of growing up Black in the segregated South. In Upward Road, Dadisi offers an unflinching look at poverty, family struggles, racial injustice, and personal awakening, all told through the lens of a poet’s heart and a survivor’s will.
Raised in a loving but turbulent household, Dadisi recounts his experiences with a remarkable blend of humor, honesty, and hope. From his early school days filled with hardship and discipline to discovering his voice on stage in Porgy and Bess, each chapter captures a defining moment on his path to self-empowerment. As he witnesses the rise of the Civil Rights Movement and later embraces a new name, heritage, and purpose, Upward Road becomes more than a memoir—it becomes a roadmap to healing, purpose, and Black pride.
Whether you are a reader of African American history, civil rights literature, or spiritual memoirs, this book will move you, educate you, and inspire you.
 
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
Inspiring autobiographies
African American memoirs
Coming-of-age stories
Books on civil rights, Black identity, and family legacy
Voices of resilience and personal transformation