I conducted an Interview with a friend who is a former street hustler known locally as Kenny G. https://open.spotify.com/episode/2ToP0pKxVYreb84aHPDR1N?si=PbjDr-9_T4OHid7M3OHF2w (Audio Podcast) Kenny G had the nice clothes, fancy cars, and the pretty women. Due to Kenny G’s lifestyles he got arrested and ended up serving 17 years in prison. Kenny g is now a free man making the best of his life and living the life of a Christian.
Doing this interview answers several questions of why. Why would anyone chose this lifestyle. Well in Kenny G’s case, he explains how he was abandoned at the young age of 12 years old by his mother. Kenny G was looking for love and acceptance since then. He found shelter anywhere he could. He lived in house to house with different people, whoever would let him stay there. Kenny stole clothes and food to eat each day. While doing this interview, all I could wonder was, where was the help for Kenny as a young teenager? Where was child protect and other child organizations? I guess that during that time there was none. Continuing the interview, Kenny explained that after years of stealing and making it the best he could, he finally got his break. His break came in the form of becoming a high level street hustler. This hustle was were he started making real money. The downside was this particular hustle involved selling illegal substances with a risk of going to prison. Kenny explained that when he got arrested, he was labeled as a kingpin. His case was blown up as if he was a amjor distributor. Kenny explained that wasn’t the case at all. At sentencing Kenny was given 40 years mandatory. He ended up serving 17 years before being released. Kenny G is now a devout christian trying to make the best of his life. Kenny gives God the credit for having the strength to make it through it all. Kenny also explained that he loves his mother who abandoned him when he was only 12 years old. (Kenny G’s mother passed away several years ago). Kenny give God all the praise and encourages others to trust in God through any and everything that you may go through.
I can remember it like it was yesterday. I finally finished and self-published my first book “100 Years: A Journey to End a Vicious Cycle.” I didn’t actually choose to be an Author, being an Author chose me. I say this because I realized that I needed to make significant changes in my life after serving more than a decade in prison. While in the process of making these changes, I realized that I was in the midst of a family vicious cycle. I noticed that many of the males in my family ended up in prison. I wrote down the names of my cousins and myself who’ve been in prison and added the time spent. With about 5 or 6 individuals, we quickly past 100 years in prison. This is where the title “100 Years” comes from. I knew at that moment that I had to do all that I could to break this vicious cycle. In addition to making positive changes in my own life, I then wrote the book. I poured my heart out and took responsibility for the part that I played in this story. I had to be honest with myself in this process. Though it was painful, it had to be done. My goal is now to prevent others from following in my footsteps. Mark thanks anyone who purchased, read, or supported his book in any way.
I have several ways that I plan on celebrating my 10th year Anniversary. Most of those ways are still in the developmental stages. I will start by having a Book Reading on YouTube LiveStream on Sunday. Share in the comments, if you’re interested in attending this Book Reading. I will send you a link to the Live Reading. This will be on my YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/@mark100years. I encourage you to attend this celebration. The book is available on amazon I encourage you to attend this book reading livestream and celebrate help celebrate this 10 Year Anniversary.
This event will encourage teenagers in knowing that they are Valuable! “Don’t Give Up, You Have a Purpose” Community Event will focus on Suicide Prevention, Anti-Bullying, Substance Abuse Awareness, Conflict Resolution, Mental Health Awareness, & Purpose. Mark L Baynard, Author will give away 100 copies of his new book “Finding Purpose: Boogie’s Story. Saturday, July 14, 2018; at Cooters Pond in Prattville, Alabama from 9am until 1pm. https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00TLXK5L6
Journey 100 Years (Mark B's Perspective) 