Bo Hill grew up in poverty in the Mississippi Delta in the 1970s, experiencing hunger, family separation, and circumstances that could easily have shaped the rest of his life. Instead, with the support of people who believed in him, he went on to earn an undergraduate degree and MBA, build a successful career, become a devoted father, and mentor others.
His memoir explores Black fatherhood, faith, resilience, education, mentorship, forgiveness, and the decision to break generational cycles rather than pass them on. His story is ultimately about showing up for yourself, your children, and the people coming behind you.
The book is written in the African American oral storytelling tradition, through vivid stories and memories that feel less like a traditional memoir and more like a conversation with a trusted friend.
Since its August release, Breaking Free from the Deep South has reached Amazon’s Top 100 in both the Fatherhood and Black & African American History categories.
Check out our interview with Bo below.
Tell the Dear Fathers community more about who you are and what you do?
My name is Herman “Bo” Hill, author of Breaking Free from the Deep South: A Black Father’s Journey from Poverty to Purpose. I’m a twin and one of eight kids, born and raised in Mississippi by my grandmother. Two more siblings came later. I have two beautiful children and two grandkids who I adore. My whole mission has been to be a great father, and I’m sure my kids would tell you the same. That has been my focus because I didn’t have that experience myself. I wanted their lives to be different from what I experienced.
I’ve been fortunate enough to be a high school and collegiate athlete while keeping my grades at a level that allowed me to earn my undergraduate degree and MBA and go on to build a professional career. I’ve had a successful career in pharmaceutical sales for almost thirty years while also enjoying my avocation as a college and professional football official. Along the way, I’ve juggled all of that with being a good father and an entrepreneur.
What inspired you to write your book, “Breaking Free from the Deep South: A Black Father’s Journey from Poverty to Purpose“?
My kids. Looking at them and knowing they both have successful careers, while also knowing it had not come easy for me, inspired me to write the book. Even when they were dealing with rough times, I could anchor back on my own path and let them know they can do anything they set their minds to. I wanted to be there to support them. Through faith, God, family, and friends, I know what I’ve been able to achieve, and I try to be that same anchor for them.
What are the top three takeaways you want our audience to know about the book?
A. The book isn’t told as a traditional memoir. It’s told in the African American oral storytelling tradition, so it sounds like I’m sitting in the same room with you, sharing my stories.
B. I wanted to tell my story for my family and my kids. It started out as uncovering my full, naked truth and turned into something bigger than me. I realized my story could help other people, too.
C. I wanted to share my story so other single Black fathers will know they can overcome adversity, even when it seems like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. Where you start is not where you will end.
What is your relationship with your dad and how has that impacted the man you are today?
My relationship with my father, when he was alive, came down to understanding that he was not equipped and was probably afraid himself. His mother died when he was young, and he was raised by his father. Then, after our mother unexpectedly died when my twin sister and I were only ten months old, he wasn’t equipped to take care of all us kids.
I tried hard to please him and get his approval. When he saw me graduate and receive a scholarship, I think it opened his eyes that I was really doing something. He didn’t fully understand me because I was different. I strived to do more and be different. I always loved my dad, even when I felt like he didn’t understand me.
Who is Bo Hill as a Father?
I’m a compassionate, funny, cool, inspirational, supportive, and loving father. My kids think I’m hilarious.
What about your Fatherhood journey inspired you to write this book?
My fatherhood journey started as a single father eight days before I started college. Knowing I had a son, Quale, who could carry my last name on, I knew I had to be there for him, protect him, and help him become the best person he could be.
Then later, when my daughter Madison was born, I felt like the luckiest dad in the world. We had two miscarriages before she was born, and I cried because we went through a lot to get her here.
It’s all a father can ask for: to have two beautiful children who turned out to be productive members of society. I had a hand in that, even when the journey was tough. I wanted them to know the love I have for them would carry them through anything.
How can men be the best fathers they can be while ultimately still working on themselves?
Work on yourself. It’s okay to be vulnerable, to cry, to get counseling. To be humble. To be wrong. I got some things wrong, but I think I’ve done a good job.
It’s okay to make mistakes but always keep in mind that these are your children. You want to build something that carries on through them and to your grandkids.
Be the best dad by being there. Being present. Being faithful. Understanding that God is guiding you. Take care of your health, mind, body, and spirituality, because you’ll need to provide that same foundation for them.
Do you think it’s important for young black boys to have mentorship and why?
Absolutely. That’s why I joined my fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma, because of its culture of service and service to humanity. Someone mentored me, and my whole life has been about giving back. Part of me being here is to assist somebody when they’re not equipped. I’ve always wanted to help somebody because someone helped me.
How do you balance entrepreneurship/being an author while being the best dad you can be?
Prioritizing is key to balancing this. I’ve been busy all my life. I go because I want to be able to provide. I want to be that person people can look at and see what a good mentor, father, friend, and partner looks like. I prioritize what’s important. Sometimes I lose sleep, but I have always been there for my kids.
My kids are grown now and married, and my son has two kids, so we’re not under the same roof. But we get together as often as possible, and I’m always there for them. They know all they have to do is call or text.
Define what legacy means to you?
I’m living it right now. My kids. My grand kids. I’m not a tattoo guy, but my kids and I decided we would all get matching tattoos, the letter H on our wrists. It starts right here, with us. That’s legacy to me.
Where can people purchase your book?
The book is available in paperback or Kindle eBook formats on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HCX372QM?lv
What’s next for you and how can people connect with you?
I’ll be sharing my story with church groups, book clubs, bookstores, podcasts, and through media appearances. My goal is to eventually do this full time, speaking at conferences and events and sharing my message with audiences who connect with it. And, of course, I’ll continue enjoying my family.
The best places to connect with me are through my website (https://bo-hill.com/) and on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/herman-hill/).
