Dr Amir Whitaker Esq.

Amir is an educator and civil rights lawyer on a mission to inspire people with his story. Often referred to as “Dr. KnuckleHead,” Amir was introduced to the criminal justice system as a child when he visited both his mother and father in prison. At age 15, Amir himself was arrested and entered the juvenile justice system. Later, problems at school eventually led to him being kicked out. Despite these hardships, Amir went on to complete five college degrees, visit 30 countries before turning 30 years old, and become one of America’s leading social change agents.

Amir’s first book is an autobiographical trilogy entitled A KnuckleHead’s Guide to Escaping the Trap. This abridged compilation follows Amir’s transformational journey through the many challenges that have molded him into an agent of change. The first installment, Origins, takes place during Amir’s adolescence—as he is unknowingly engulfed in a war. This first-hand account of the devastating impacts of poverty, mass incarceration, the War on Drugs, and the School-to-Prison Pipeline chronicles a youth with an unrelenting desire to overcome the odds.

The second installment—Million: Money on my Mind, follows Amir as he pushes himself to double his high school GPA, and dive into a 12-year college career that takes him across the country. In the process, he earns five degrees from some of the nation’s leading institutions.

Street Traveler is the final book in the trilogy. It follows Amir’s quest to visit 30 countries before his thirtieth birthday. He uses his “street smarts” to escape danger and explore intriguing destinations across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The travels help shape Amir’s worldview and introduce him to unforgettable characters around the globe.

As a civil rights lawyer, Amir has negotiated settlements and educational policy changes that have improved the lives of 100,000+ children across the country. He has also taught all grade levels—from kindergarten to college—in a variety of educational settings for more than a decade, and has held teaching certifications in Florida, California, and New Jersey. He has delivered captivating keynote speeches to thousands, and written columns and op-eds for leading newspapers across the country. His work is a continuation of Project KnuckleHead, a nonprofit organization he started that empowers youth around the world.