Antong Lucky's journey from being sentenced to time behind bars to becoming an advocate for those who are in his former shoes is nothing short of remarkable. In this episode, Antong shares his story in his own words, starting with how he found himself in front of a judge who deemed him "a menace to society." He recounts the challenges he faced in prison, including dealing with limited resources, and how he used his time to reflect and transform himself. Joining Antong in this conversation is Silas Deane III, founder and head of Tyler's Community Readiness. Silas shares his insights and experiences in helping incarcerated individuals have resources available to help them integrate back into society. Together, they explore the importance of opportunities and the need for greater support for formerly incarcerated individuals. This episode offers a powerful look at the impact opportunity has on individuals and communities and the potential for transformation and advocacy.
Antong Lucky's journey from being sentenced to time behind bars to becoming an advocate for those who are in his former shoes is nothing short of remarkable. In this episode, Antong shares his story in his own words, starting with how he found himself in front of a judge who deemed him "a menace to society." He recounts the challenges he faced in prison, including dealing with limited resources, and how he used his time to reflect and transform himself.
Joining Antong in this conversation is Silas Deane III, founder and head of Tyler's Community Readiness. Silas shares his insights and experiences in helping incarcerated individuals have resources available to help them integrate back into society. Together, they explore the importance of opportunities and the need for greater support for formerly incarcerated individuals. This episode offers a powerful look at the impact opportunity has on individuals and communities and the potential for transformation and advocacy.
About Antong Lucky
As a child of an incarcerated father, Antong Lucky grew up in an impoverished, crime-ridden neighborhood in East Dallas, Texas, born at the same time as East Dallas experienced an alarming rise in crack cocaine and heroin use. Despite his high grades and passion for learning, Antong is introduced to gang life and its consequences.
Eventually, Antong forms the Dallas Bloods gang, inaugurating a period in the 1990s of escalating retaliatory gun violence buoyed by a lucrative illegal drug enterprise until he is ultimately arrested and sentenced to seven years in prison. His journey through the doors of transformation came through the pain of incarceration and introspection that caused him to question the cognitive distortions embedded in him since childhood.
Once in prison, Antong denounced his gang affiliation and began working to unite rival gangs, quickly rising to become one of the most respected and sought-after mentors in prison. A spiritual transformation further inspired Antong to return to his old neighborhood after early release, seeking to align with like-minded people dedicated to challenging systemic issues in U.S. communities through collective efforts. The work of an incisive, determined mind, A Redemptive Path Forward will take its place among the broadening canon of titles championing and investigating prison reform and societal transformation.
About Silas Deane III
Silas Deane III is an award-winning social technology innovator. He received Congressional recognition for his work across the nation. At 24 years old he developed and created the community readiness software, now part of Tyler Technologies which focuses on changing the future of incarceration in America. He has been featured in a Market Watch, Yahoo Finance, and more. He loves helping others achieve their dreams in innovation and entrepreneurship.
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