Harold “Noonie G” Ward, a former Gangster Disciple leader turned community activist, youth mentor, and entrepreneur, returns to the streets of his youth in his fourth book, Altgeld. Drawing from his lived experience in Altgeld Gardens, one of Chicago’s most storied South Side housing complexes, Ward delivers a gripping work of fiction grounded in the truths of survival, accountability, and redemption.
Altgeld explores the idea that leaving the block doesn’t mean the block leaves you. In the novel, protagonist Noonie faces the shadows of his past when a young mentee, Jaden, becomes entangled in unfinished business from years prior. Ward portrays the stakes with precision: one wrong move could unravel everything he has worked to build. Through this narrative, Ward underscores that survival and growth require discipline, intentionality, and reflection.
Ward’s own journey mirrors the book’s themes. Once feared nationally as a gang leader, he chose a path of responsibility and community upliftment. Over decades, he has dedicated himself to reversing the damage of systemic neglect and street violence, mentoring youth, leading workshops, and creating pathways for economic and personal empowerment. His transformation was influenced early on by Larry Hoover, founder of the Gangster Disciples, who emphasized growth and development over violence.
Collaboration with Tamara Johnson, a lifelong South Side resident and activist, enriches the novel with authenticity and perspective. Johnson, who helped shape the narrative, draws from her own experiences growing up in Chicago, reinforcing the book’s message that resilience, accountability, and self-determination can reshape lives. “Leaving the block doesn’t mean the block leaves you,” Johnson notes in the foreword, capturing the heart of Ward’s story.
Ward’s literary and cultural influence extends beyond Altgeld. His previous works, including Gangster with a Heart of Gold and the Gangstanomics series, blend narrative, hip hop culture, and practical lessons to educate and deter at-risk youth. Ward’s projects have featured contributions from Ye (Kanye West), Common, 50 Cent, Trey Songz, Dwele, and Twista, signaling his unique intersection of credibility, culture, and lived experience.
A tireless advocate for community reform, Ward has worked alongside Barack Obama in Altgeld Gardens, organized Chicago’s first National Gang Summit for Peace, and supported major benefit events like Ye and Drake’s Free Larry Hoover concert. Today, he continues to speak nationwide in schools, prisons, and community centers, guiding young people toward better choices.
Altgeld is not simply a story of survival—it is a testament to accountability, transformation, and the power to change one’s trajectory. The book is currently being developed into a scripted series, bringing Ward’s truth-telling and streetwise wisdom to a wider audience.