Today we’d like to introduce you to Maurice Ford.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started as a well-reserved child that came from a two-parent household until the age of 13, our family dynamic was reduced to one parent. The visual of seeing my father’s lifeless body was etched in my brain. The traumas of his murder evoked a whole other kind of anger, that would later influence me to commit crimes and become a career criminal. I always knew how much of a great upbringing I had. Throughout my life of being in prison, I had the opportunity to examine myself and how I was living. After my final release in 2018, I decided it was time for a change. I obtained my commercial driver’s license and swore to never look back! I joined an organization called concerned black men of Los Angeles where I mentor pre-teens. My goal was/is to share my story as well as engage, and advocate for them; with the hopes of preventing them from ever becoming a career criminal.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I won’t say the road has been smooth for me. I had been in and out of prison many times, so I knew what would happen if I went back to my old life. The challenge was learning common things that I should’ve known. After having spent so much time in and out of prison, I felt like I was further behind than I would have been had I not gone. But you live and you learn. Having a solid support system was necessary. I am fortunate to have a great woman in my life. She was patient and helped me through many of the struggles I faced. Even though I have a commercial driver’s license, certain jobs would not hire me based on my criminal history and the fact that I hadn’t been out of prison long enough.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m proud of myself for starting at the pine bluff truck driving school in 2018. I completed the program and obtained my commercial driver’s license and four years later I’m now a professional truck driver. Life is great! What sets me apart is I’ve beaten the odds! A lot of men and women go to prison and continue to go back and forth just like I did, but once I decided I had the power to change the narrative, I began to attract a winning mindset.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
That therapy is needed for a child who’s experienced trauma and staying drug-free and out of trouble is the best thing to do as you’re growing into adulthood.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Lakrishi
- Facebook: Maurice EL
- Twitter: Maurice
