Rikki Mendias is nine years old when his mother goes to jail for shooting his father's mistress. Shortly thereafter, Rikki and his father are forced to live in the back of a car until Rikki's grandmother takes him to live with her. A year later, when Rikki's mother is released from county jail, they end up moving into a transitional women and children center as she tries to get her life back on track.
Growing up, Rikki struggles to navigate a world of food stamps, welfare and Payless shoes, until eventually, selling drugs and stealing become all too appealing to him. Over time, a deep sense of deprivation ignites a sneaker obsession that will result in Rikki collecting hundreds of shoes in order to feel better about himself.
Fast forward to his early 30s, Rikki is depressed, lost and struggling to find meaning in his life when he is struck with an idea to give away his sneaker collection. The simple gesture of giving out sneakers to a person living on the streets ultimately changes the trajectory of his life in unexpected and surprising ways.
Dream Out Loud is a powerful coming-of-age memoir that shows how in spite of his family's history, Rikki is able to break free from the long legacy of drug addiction, incarceration, and trauma. Funny, heartbreaking and inspirational, this story demonstrates how one act of loving kindness can have a profound and lasting impact on a person's life.