When Inmates Look Out For Each Other After Lock Up
How did you all meet?
In 2019, Michael was still serving time in Lompoc prison in California. One of my
brothers was also serving time at the same location and during that time we sent my
brother photos that I had with celebrities I knew when I was helping fallen celebrities in
Hollywood.
Michael overheard my brother talking about our 2 nd Chance Saves Lives TV show that
we were producing at the time. So, he then gave me a call wanting to connect and learn
more about our 2 nd Chance organization. He shared with us what he had done in the
past with Death Row records along with the other people that he had helped along the
way. After building a rapport, we signed him on as a Co-Owner of our organization
despite his situation for his 2 nd Chance.
Where are you both from and currently reside?
My wife and I currently reside in San Antonio, Texas. Meanwhile Michael is living in
California where we used to reside.
Why do you feel that everyone deserves a 2nd Chance at life?
Paul: With what I have been through: family abandonment, wrongful incarceration
twice, and homelessness twice, I unfortunately did not have anyone there for me after
being abandoned by my family for almost 3 decades. Only God got me through many of
the trials and injustices that I faced, and I know that He made me go through what I did
so that it would birth a fire, resilience, and passion within me to want to help others in
need. With that being said, I believe that everyone deserves a 2 nd Chance to redeem
themselves.
What was the Driving force behind the 2nd Chance Saves Lives program?
While Michael was still incarcerated, my wife and I had to find avenues to fund our
program. Unfortunately, due to his situation, Michael was unable to provide his share,
so we depended on and put all of our Faith in God to guide us through and direct our
paths. There have been multiple times, I can count five times thus far, where my wife
and I came down to our last penny and a couple times were in the negative investing
our time, money, and energy to produce our show. But God always came through at the
exact right time for us. I can confidently say that we work with God to be the force to
make this program happen, and God is driving and guiding the train to where we need
to go, and we just follow where He leads us.
What occurred in you all’s lives that made you want to get involved with this type of
initiative?
Paul: I was first disowned by my family after a lie that was spread by my two brothers
who were arrested for robbery. They shifted the blame on me insinuating that I was the
cause of their arrest, which led to my whole family believing the lie and ceasing contact
with me for 28 years. Another family member wrote a false rip-off report about me with
someone I dated in the past who had a woman’s scorn to discredit my character; which
did at one point, greatly affecting potential business dealings in the beginning of our
journey. I was wrongly incarcerated by the Federal government over a scam by people
in Nigeria that led me to being incarcerated for 14 months because I was a “flight-risk”
and in my opinion, a black man. After they dropped 2-40 charges and my release, I
became homeless, was unable to pay child support, which led me to be arrested once
again to serve 6 more months in jail and being homeless once again. The ups and downs
of my life made me realize that I must help others who may not have the same amount
of strength or resources to overcomes similar obstacles that I endured.
Michael: I was raised by a single parent and grew up in a rough and disenfranchised
neighborhood where opportunities were very scarce. I made a crucial mistake in
judgement and took a road that would scar me for life by learning the drug trade and
served 30+ years for attempted murder and cocaine trafficking. Early on I witnessed the
disadvantages that the African Americans and people of color faced and from then on
dreamed that they would share an equal playing field to those who lacked the
opportunity. Together with the 2 nd Chance force now as a free man, I hope that my
experiences and skill sets will contribute in making this happen for all.
How did both of your lives change both experiencing being wrongfully convicted?
Paul: I realized after these experiences that there are many others in the system who
are innocent and serving time for crimes they did not commit and that the justice
system, at times, is not fair when it comes to minorities especially with the black
ethnicity.
Michael: I was convicted of attempted murder and cocaine trafficking, and I believe that
I served too much time, about 10 years over. However, my life has changed through the
humbling experiences during my 30+ years behind bars. I have decided to move in the
name of peace, reconciliation, transformation, and redemption.
Would you all have done anything differently that day?
Paul: If I could, I would have paid attention to the red flags when speaking to the man in
Nigeria especially when he asked me to send some of the money that I was given from
him back to multiple cities. I allowed my heart to be taken advantage of because of the
kids in Nigeria who wanted to be trained in boxing. At the time, I was already working
with kids at a juvenile facility in Michigan, so I was easily manipulated.
Michael: I believe that anyone in my position would do things different to avoid having
to serve over 30 years behind bars. I would do anything to avoid missing out on 30 years
of my daughters’ lives, friends, and family. I was young at that time and took risks in the
wrong places, but what I have learned over the years is invaluable and by utilizing my
life experience, leadership, and assessment skills, I can be the difference in rebuilding
our communities and our country teamed with the 2 nd Chance Saves Lives organization.
Paul as a 3-time boxing champion how important is it to you to use your platform to
spark change?
Paul: Although I was a 3-time kickboxing champion, I wasn’t the same person as I am
today with the platform that I have now. When I was a kick-boxing champion at 21 years
old, I was more focused on myself and wasn’t thinking about using my platform to spark
change. But now, I am using my platform today as a leader to inspire, motivate, uplift
others and fight for others to get their 2 nd Chance and change society through positive
influence.
Michael: How are you able to translate the work you have done in the arts and
entertainment to the 2nd Chance initiative?
From my many life experiences I have become more in touch with the pulse of my true
purpose. I am a man who has experienced incredible highs and incredible lows. I have
grown and have matured, and I have been inspired to rediscover the thoughtful young boy
within me that I once knew, and respected. And I can say that this next part of my life
journey will be from a place of truth. I will take the time to share my story and will make the
effort to help support 2nd Chance at helping to save lives.
What advice would you give to someone who is currently incarcerated and has been
falsely convicted?
Paul: I would tell those currently incarcerated to put God first by asking Him for help
and to never lose hope, because there is hope available with our show Forgotten
Prisoners! One of their family members can submit their information & story on our
website ( https://2ndchancesaveslives.org/forgotten-prisoners-show ) so that we can
review their case, air their story on the TV network, so that those who have the power
can reach out and work on their case for their release.
Michael: What was the vision behind you founding and funding Death Row Records?
I came up with the vision for a record label during the time that I was temporarily
housed on Condemned Row known as Death Row with my X-wife Lydia Harris, Suge
Knight, Dr. Dre, and my criminal/business attorney, David Kenner. My goal was to
capture the reality of extreme confinement and its consequences, so our label went on
to produce Dr. Dre’s debut L.P the Chronic, and promoted the careers of superstars
Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Dog Pound, Lady the Rage, Jewell, and Tupac Shakur.
Did you imagine it would grow to be so historical and influential?
Paul: I always knew in my heart that it would be successful eventually, and maybe I was
caught up in trying to make it be a success that I didn’t take the time to envision how
grand and influential our 2 nd Chance organization would become. But now I know that
with God, all things are possible.
What do you hope viewers learn the most from this show?
Paul: I hope viewers will learn to be compassionate in their own lives and will be
empowered to help others and realize how many people in the world need help, but
they just aren’t aware of it.
Is it ever too late to start over?
Paul: It is never too late to start over as long as you have the heart to not quit when it
gets tempting to, a vision, and God by your side. When you cut out distractions, you can
achieve anything you put your mind to.
When can we expect an air date and on what station can we expect the show to be
ran on?
The show will air on the FOX network on Saturdays between 7-8pm CST. We will be announcing
the date soon on our social media platforms.
Stay tuned!
– Linktree: https://linktr.ee/2ndChanceTVProduction
– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2nd_Chance_Saves_Lives/
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2ndChanceSavesLives
– Twitter: https://twitter.com/2ndChanceSaves
