{"product_id":"officer-clemmons-a-memoir-9781646220571","title":"Officer Clemmons: A Memoir","description":"\u003cb\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis intimate debut memoir by the man known to the world as Mister Rogers' Neighborhood's Officer Clemmons, who made history as the first African American actor to have a recurring role on a children's television program, doesn't ask you to be his neighbor, but rather just to hear his story: one of a man of profound strength and talent who stood up, sang out, and, after great struggle, was heard (NPR).\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhen he created the role of Officer Clemmons on the award-winning television series \u003ci\u003eMister Rogers' Neighborhood\u003c\/i\u003e, Fran ois Clemmons made history as the first African American actor to have a recurring role on a children's program. A new, wide world opened for Clemmons--but one that also required him to make painful personal choices and sacrifices. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eOfficer Clemmons\u003c\/i\u003e details Clemmons's incredible life story, beginning with his early years in Alabama and Ohio, marked by family trauma and loss, through his studies as a music major at Oberlin College, where Clemmons began to investigate and embrace his homosexuality, to a chance encounter with Fred Rogers that changed the whole course of both men's lives, leading to a deep, spiritual friendship and mentorship spanning nearly forty years. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFrom New York to Russia, Berlin to California, Grammy Award winner Clemmons has performed for audiences around the world and remains a beloved figure. Evocative and intimate, and buoyed by its author's own vivacious, inimitable energy, \u003ci\u003eOfficer Clemmons\u003c\/i\u003e chronicles a historical and enlightening life and career of a man who has brought joy to millions of adults and children, across generations and borders.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Catapult\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 05\/04\/2021\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781646220571\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 288","brand":"Francois S. Dr Clemmons","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39638644785333,"sku":"9781646220571","price":15.26,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_93f13e8a-0a84-45d3-876d-8b64fb49762a.jpg?v=1617682946","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/officer-clemmons-a-memoir-9781646220571","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}