A most beautiful thing the true story of America's first all-black high school rowing team Suga water Cooper, Arshay creator author. text biography Biographies. Biographies. History. Personal narratives. Autobiographies. nyu 2020 2020 First Flatiron books edition. monographic eng print 228 pages ; 25 cm "Now a documentary narrated by Common, produced by Grant Hill, Dwyane Wade, and 9th Wonder, from filmmaker Mary Mazzio The moving true story of a group of young men growing up on Chicago's West side who form the first all-black high school rowing team in the nation, and in doing so not only transform a sport, but their lives. Growing up on Chicago's Westside in the 90's, Arshay Cooper knows the harder side of life. The street corners are full of gangs, the hallways of his apartment complex are haunted by junkies he calls "zombies" with strung out arms, clutching at him as he passes by. His mother is a recovering addict, and his three siblings all sleep in a one room apartment, a small infantry against the war zone on the street below. Arshay keeps to himself, preferring to write poetry about the girl he has a crush on, and spends his school days in the home-ec kitchen dreaming of becoming a chef. And then one day as he's walking out of school he notices a boat in the school lunchroom, and a poster that reads "Join the Crew Team". Having no idea what the sport of crew is, Arshay decides to take a chance. This decision to join is one that will forever change his life, and those of his fellow teammates. As Arshay and his teammates begin to come together to learn how to row--many never having been in water before--the sport takes them from the mean streets of Chicago, to the hallowed halls of the Ivy League. But Arshay and his teammates face adversity at every turn, from racism, gang violence, and a sport that has never seen anyone like them before. A Most Beautiful Thing is the inspiring true story about the most unlikely band of brothers that form a family, and forever change a sport and their lives for the better"-- Arshay Cooper. "Originally published under title Suga water by Wise Ink Creative Publishing" n-us-il Cooper, Arshay Manley High School (Chicago, Ill.) Rowing History Rowing Illinois Chicago Rowers Illinois Chicago Biography Racism in sports African American high school students Illinois Chicago Biography Chicago (Ill.) Social conditions 20th century Chicago (Ill.) Biography African American high school students Rowers Rowing Social conditions Illinois Chicago 1900-1999 fast GV790.92.C67 A3 2020 797.12/30977311 9781250754769 1250754763 9781250754752 2020010721 pda,print DLC 200403 20250318222415.5 in00004347125 eng