Title: No Place Like Home: We Have Unfinished Business
Author: Hysier Miller
Publisher: Black Cager Press

“No Place Like Home” is an inspiring and thought-provoking book written by, Temple University point guard, Hysier Miller. The book is aimed at middle and high school students and chronicles his personal journey and activism in promoting gun violence reduction in Philadelphia. Through his unique perspective as a high profile college athlete, Hysier shares his experiences, challenges, and efforts to effect positive change, aiming to inspire readers to join the fight against gun violence.

In “No Place Like Home,” Hysier Miller takes readers on a captivating journey through his life as a high school and college basketball player and his deep-rooted commitment to making a difference in his community. Growing up in South Philadelphia’s Wilson Park neighborhood, a community plagued by gun violence, Hysier witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of this social issue, inspiring him to use his platform and influence to bring about change.

The book delves into Hysier’s childhood, highlighting the impact various educational placements and basketball have had on his development. It was through the sport that he developed resilience, discipline, and teamwork, qualities that would later shape his advocacy work. Drawing on his experiences as a student-athlete, Hysier explores the parallels between basketball and reducing gun violence—both requiring strategy, collaboration, and a collective effort to achieve success.

Over the course of his first two years at Temple, he watched as the gun violence crept closer to and eventually landed on campus. Hysier became increasingly aware of the alarming gun violence statistics in his city. Fueled by a desire to create safer communities, he has committed himself to engaging young people (ages 12-25) in the struggle to reduce the mayhem and destruction wrought by gun violence in Philadelphia communities. Through engaging anecdotes and heartwarming stories, Hysier recognizes many caring and concerned adults that helped him overcome serious challenges he faced as a student matriculating through Philadelphia elementary, middle and high schools.

Hysier shares his vision of working closely with community leaders, law enforcement officials, and survivors of gun violence, shedding light on the multifaceted nature of the problem. By seeking to engage and involve young Philadelphians with individuals and organizations already working towards reducing gun violence, Hysier highlights the potential for collective action and the power of grassroots movements. Throughout “No Place Like Home,” Hysier emphasizes the importance of education, mental health support, and conflict resolution strategies in curbing gun violence. He uses first hand observations, expert insights, and testimonials to offer a comprehensive understanding of the issue while proposing tangible interventions that could be implemented at both the community and policy levels.

“No Place Like Home” is an inspiring memoir that combines the passion of a college basketball player with the urgency of a social activist. Hysier Miller’s personal story, coupled with his dedication to reducing gun violence, serves as a call to action for young readers to actively participate in creating safer communities. Through his book, Hysier explains why he remains committed to Temple University, seeks to ignite a citywide conversation about gun violence and inspire a generation of young people complete some important unfinished business.