Jamaica Olympic Bobsledder Devon Harris Launches New Book Tour, June 2, 2010, New York

Devon Harris, the motivational speaker/author and Olympic athlete of the original Jamaica Bobsled Team whose story became world-famous in the legendary Disney film Cool Runnings, announced today that his new book, Keep On Pushing: Hot Lessons from Cool Runnings (Waterhouse Publishing), will have its exclusive launch event at the renowned Hue-Man Bookstore and Café in New York City on Wednesday June 2, 2010.

“I am more excited about this book than I was when I took my first bobsled run – and probably as terrified,” said Devon from his home in New York. “I have wanted to bring together in one book all that I have learned along the way, from my student days in Kingston, to my education at Sandhurst and my life as a Jamaica Army officer, and of course to my experiences at three Olympics which changed my life forever. At the heart of Keep On Pushing are the lessons I have learned of the power of persistence over all sorts of obstacles in order to live one’s best life. My mission is to bring this message of how everyone can keep on pushing and working for their dreams every day of their professional as well as personal lives.”

For over a decade, Devon has been in demand as a speaker to businesses, foundations, government organizations and schools and universities. His recent keynotes and workshops on themes of persistence and teamwork to such Fortune 100 companies as Microsoft, Roche Pharmaceuticals and Charles Schwab, as well as to smaller organizations, have taken Devon around the world many times.

Through his Keep On Pushing Foundation, Devon is contributing time and resources to improving the lives of young students in impoverished school districts, starting with his own primary school in Kingston. “I am of course incredibly appreciative for all that I have accomplished, but I did not want to stop there,” said Devon. “I wanted to know how I could encourage as many others of all ages and backgrounds to rise to the occasion in every facet of their lives too. And it is important to me that this message is communicated with joy and enthusiasm. Keep On Pushing was written to be an entertaining and exciting read, with a lot of immediately useful moments along the way.”

Marva Allen, co-owner of the Hue-Man Bookstore and Café, says she is delighted to have Devon launch his book at her store. “Hue-Man is the largest independent African-American bookstore in the U.S. We are proud of our track record of hosting great authors and great books, from Bill Clinton to this month’s Andrew Young and Pam Grier,” said Marva. “Devon is an exciting speaker and author, and Keep On Pushing is exactly the kind of book we are eager to highlight and host at our bookstore!”

Devon will be at the Hue-Man Bookstore and Café on Wednesday June 2, 2010 from 6-8pm. Hue-Man Bookstore and Café is located at 2319 Frederick Douglass Boulevard between 124th and 125th Streets in Harlem, NY 10027.