It’s been a hard and challenging struggle, but I refuse to throw in the towel. Every day, I put one foot in front of the other to stay on this path—for my boys and for the better future they deserve.
Facing 30 years in prison, a single question from my little brother made me rethink everything—and it changed the course of my life forever. I caught a case with Victor, my youngest brother. He was looking at 27 years, and I was facing 30. While we fought that case, I vividly remember a question he asked that made me think hard, scared me, and ultimately pushed me to pray and seek a better way to live.
I had just gotten off the phone with the mother of my two oldest sons. She told me our oldest had graduated 6th grade and was about to start 7th. I shared the news with my brother, and that’s when he asked “What were you doing in 7th grade?” I remembered—I was already taking a .380 pistol to school, getting into fights, mixing tobacco with marijuana, and selling little sacks.
What hit me the hardest was knowing how much faster the next generation was growing up. I didn’t want my boys to go through or live the things I was going through. They deserved better—a life free from the darkness of gangs, addiction, and prison The following week, I became a south side dropout. I brought my little brother with me to offer him the same chance I wanted for my boys: freedom, safety, and a healthy life. I wanted them to grow up with more choices and opportunities than I thought I had. But I realized that to give them that, I had to lead by example. It’s been a hard and challenging struggle, but I refuse to throw in the towel. Every day, I put one foot in front of the other to stay on this path—for my boys and for the better future they deserve.
I am very blessed to have a strong woman warrior for a mom. She loved me when I didn’t love myself, she believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. She put her life on hold to get custody of two of my boys because her faith in me that I can gain custody was that strong…with her right by my side the judge was honored to grant me sole custody of Carlos and Izeyah because of my remarkable turnaround! Thank you, Mom, I love you, and even though you got promoted into heaven at so young of an age, we will see each other! Until that day, I dedicate every victory to you, my bros, and my boys. I will keep my promise and will get Lil Jose, Azeyzel, Izeyah, Carlos, and Jovanni together and visit your resting spot. Happy Mother’s Day and Happy Father’s Day to you…because you’ve been a great mother and father to my bros and me! We love and miss you wholeheartedly! Stay strong. ❤️
