A man who suffered cruelty, abuse and self-hate while growing up in one of Kentucky’s most economically depressed areas will soon tell his story in Canton and Potsdam.

Nathan T. Hoskins, whose story has been featured on National Public Radio, will present “Peace, Love and Pride” 7 p.m. April 22 at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 3 ½ Main St., Canton, and 6 p.m. Monday, April 23 in SUNY Potsdam’s Kellas Hall room 103. The public is invited.

Hoskins will describe family violence that included being chained to a tree as a child and behind held at gunpoint by his mother. He will explain how he found peace after experiencing the childhood cruelty and learned to love and have self-pride amid a “culture of hate.”

His message “drills down into the core of our value system and challenges us to embrace those we love, limit the influence of those who pollute our happiness and search deep within ourselves to find our journey tourward spritually fulfilled living,” according to his publicity material.

The presentation is not suitable for young audiences due to the accounts of child neglect, sexual abuse and torture.