I Went from Skid Row to Leadership

The first time David stood on a stage and looked out at an auditorium filled with rambunctious kids, he was 27 and in the custody of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). He was sweating under the bright lights and a little nervous, but David knew he was there for a reason bigger than himself.

“My experience talking to kids was a defining moment in my life,” David said. “But being on stage wasn’t about me, it was about empowering them to seize their potential and break free from negativity and hopelessness.”

David was a member of “The Prison Preventers," a small group of incarcerated speakers who traveled to schools to talk to kids, urging them to make positive choices and helping them develop behaviors and coping mechanisms that will help them avoid future legal system involvement. The men were all handpicked by CDCR to bring a message of positivity to the students.

“I was interviewed by the director of the California DOC and the warden before I was hired,” said David. “I had to talk about my past criminal history, how I overcame obstacles, and explain what I would say to a kid.”

The Prison Preventers rode a bus three times a week to different schools and told their stories, sharing insights they’d learned over the years inside. A counselor would advise the group of relevant problems at the school – drug sales, gang activity, stealing, vandalism – and the men would address what they could.

From the start, David loved talking to people, and it dawned on him that he may want to be a motivational speaker when he was released.

“I told kids to see beyond their current circumstances and believe in the possibility of change, just as I had done during my own struggles,” David said. “I told them to make the choice every day to be positive and follow the rules. This can apply to adults, companies, and anyone who wants to turn the direction of their life – you have to start with a choice.”

His mantra became “positive action thinking,” a concept that represents the visual and verbal steps he has applied throughout his process of change.

Throughout his incarceration, David found that helping others transformed his outlook, and speaking at schools provided a sense of purpose. But long before he started giving speeches, David was an avid writer.

“Writing was a safe zone for me inside prison,” said David. “It was the blueprint for my speeches. When I write, there are no limitations. I can discover things about myself and then apply it in my life before telling others that it worked for me.”

David would write down anecdotes in a notepad so he wouldn’t forget them. Later, this practice led to the creation of essays, screenplays, and even a three-part self-betterment book called “Determination.”

In the years following his release, it’s clear that David has used his determination to get where he wants to be. After overcoming homelessness and substance use and using his time inside prison and post-release to create the best version of himself, David is now a productive member of his community and furthering his dreams of becoming a motivational coach.

“We all face adversity, but it’s how you react to it that determines your future,” said David. “I’m using continued education and my words to others to make sure that I will someday do what I love for a living."

Last year, after learning about the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), David became a participant and has been able to use the experience to help him further harness the public speaking and writing skills he has gained during and after prison to work towards achieving the career of his dreams. He was even a speaker at CEO Los Angeles’ open house in June, where he was able to share his experience with community partners and legislative staff members. He is currently a member of CEO’s Emerging Leaders Program member, an internal on-the-job apprenticeship with the organization.

“There’s an obvious difference in me now that I’m earning trust and dedicated to work,” said David. “It’s awesome that I went from skid row to leadership. It feels like I’m finally ready to take on the responsibilities required to be a success in life.”