my story

Certainly inspirational.

I was born in Compton California. Like many from my community, I easily became a product of my environment and went on to live a life filled with struggles and misfortune. That life seemed to come to its end January 23, 2004, when I was arrested during a marijuana sting just weeks after the conception of my only child. After nearly five years in pre-trial detention, and never having the ability to touch my daughter, I was sentenced to 35 years without parole for possessing marijuana I never possessed. I was condemned to go down in history as another Black life wasted to the tragic cycle that plagues communities like mine. End of Story?

Not quite.

In 2010, a small part of my story was aired around the world in a documentary entitled Breakout. The show touched the hearts of many people. Many wrote to me asking to learn more about my story. In response, in 2017, I self-published my memoir, Chasin' Freedum.

The story grabbed the attention and admiration of many prominent people around the world. It has made me a public figure of not only injustice, but also inspiration and hope. It has allowed the world to glimpse the conditions and cognitions that spur hopelessness and criminal behavior, while allowing those confined to prisons and poverty to see the possibility of redemption.

I do not weep over my journey because I’ve found my meaning and purpose: to inspire hope and growth in the minds and hearts of other young men from communities that might seem hopeless and dysfunctional. So I travel the world sharing my story and teaching people how to be resilient and overcome the odds. To book me for speaking, email me at quawntaybadams@gmail.com.