In the gritty heart of 1970s East St. Louis, Reggie Smith grew up in a middle-class cocoon woven by his determined mother and entrepreneurial grandmother. But the siren call of the streets pulled him into a dangerous double life-plunging from suburban freedom into the brutal world of Chicago's Vice Lords gang. As a 5-Star Elite, Reggie navigated violence, prison, and addiction, only to emerge transformed, channeling his street smarts into a legacy of hope.
This unflinching gang redemption memoir traces Reggie's harrowing journey: from gang life and incarceration to sobriety, education in alcohol and drug counseling, and building thriving businesses like Pure Heat Gourmet Sauce, Pure Living Recovery Center, and Hell on Wheels Mobile Hibachi. Through grief, grit, and unbreakable faith, Reggie defies statistics, turning pain into purpose and uplifting his community with transitional housing and youth programs.
Perfect for fans of "Monster" by Sanyika Shakur and "Blue Rage, Black Redemption" by Stanley Tookie Williams, this inspirational urban biography reveals how one man overcame gang violence, prison, and loss to forge a path from the streets to success. Discover the power of second chances-grab your copy and be inspired to rewrite your own story.
