D. Watkins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
D. Watkins
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Watkins in December 2022
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| Born | Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Education | Johns Hopkins University (M.Ed) Johns Hopkins University (Cert) University of Baltimore (MFA) |
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| Spouse | Caron Brace |
| Children | Cross Watkins |
Dwight "D." or "Doc" Watkins (born February 10) is a well-known author, a writer for HBO, and a professor at The University of Baltimore. He is also a New York Times bestselling author from East Baltimore.
Early Life and Education
D. Watkins grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. He went to Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. After facing some tough times, Watkins focused on his education. He worked hard and graduated from Johns Hopkins University. This university recognized him as a Distinguished Alumnus and welcomed him into its special Society of Scholars.
In August 2019, Watkins married Caron Brace, who is a lawyer. They have a child named Cross Watkins.
Awards and Recognition
Watkins has received several important awards for his work. In 2020, he won City Lit's Dambach Award for his contributions to literature. The next year, in 2021, he received the MLA William Wilson Maryland Author Award.
In 2024, Watkins was named a Gordon Parks Fellow. He also won a James Beard Media award for an essay he wrote for Salon. This essay was about finding new ways to live a healthy life. He also received a Vernon Jarrett Medal for his excellent journalism.
College Degrees
Watkins has earned advanced degrees from two different universities. He holds a Master's in Education (M.Ed) from Johns Hopkins University. He also has a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in creative writing from the University of Baltimore.
Writing for Television
Watkins is a staff writer for the HBO miniseries We Own This City. This show was created by David Simon. He also helped Carmelo Anthony, a famous basketball player, write his bestselling memoir titled Where Tomorrows Aren't Promised: A Memoir of Survival and Hope.
Career as an Author
D. Watkins has written several books that share important stories and ideas. His books often explore life in Baltimore and the experiences of Black people in America.
The Beastside: Living (and Dying) While Black in America
Watkins' first book, The Beastside: Living (and Dying) While Black in America, was published in 2015. This book looks closely at how unfair systems and problems in education affect people, especially Black men. It tells the story of two different sides of Baltimore. In 2016, The Beastside was nominated for the Hurston-Wright Legacy Award.
The Cook Up: A ... Memoir
The Cook Up: A ... Memoir was published in 2016. This book is a memoir, which means it's a true story about the author's life. It talks about Watkins' journey after his brother's death and his efforts to change his life. The New York Times chose it as an editor's pick in May 2016. Kirkus Reviews described the book as a "gritty, vivid first-person document." In 2017, The Cook Up was a finalist for the Books for a Better Life Award.
We Speak For Ourselves
We Speak For Ourselves is Watkins' third book, released in April 2019. It is a collection of essays that feature the voices of Black people from East Baltimore. In 2020, this book was chosen for the Enoch Pratt Free Library's "One Book Baltimore" program, which encourages everyone in the city to read the same book.
Where Tomorrow's Aren't Promised
Where Tomorrows Aren't Promised was published in 2021. For this book, Watkins worked with NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony. The book tells Anthony's life story, from growing up in tough neighborhoods in Brooklyn and West Baltimore to becoming a professional basketball player. Kirkus Reviews noted that the book is "more thought-provoking than one might expect."
Black Boy Smile: A Memoir in Moments
Black Boy Smile was published in 2022. This book explores Watkins' journey and how he learned about what it means to be a man. It also talks about letting go of harmful habits. The famous poet Nikki Giovanni praised the book, saying it's one that "all young men should read." Black Boy Smile received excellent reviews from Booklist and Kirkus Reviews.
Booklist named it one of the top ten memoirs of 2022. Kirkus Reviews listed it among the best nonfiction books and best books about Black life in 2022. The New York Public Library also included Black Boy Smile on its list of best books for adults in 2022. Shelf Awareness and Aspire TV also recognized it as one of the best books of the year.
The Wire: The Complete Visual History
The Wire: The Complete Visual History was published in 2022. After the success of HBO's We Own This City, Watkins worked with David Simon, the creator of The Wire, on this book. It looks back at the popular TV show The Wire.
Salon
D. Watkins also served as an editor at large for Salon, which is an online magazine.
