"On November 15th, 1999, I walked out of prison with a GED and a goal. I realized being 15 was tough, no matter where you came from. So my philosophy became: if you call me, I'll show up. Let me show you how to heal yourself internally and deal with your trauma so you can have a great life. And I’ve been showing up for 22 years.” - Andre Norman

How did Andre go from serving a 100-year prison sentence to becoming millionaire motivational speaker?

Why did the path of violence feel safer?

As the world around us changes, how can we unlearn unhelpful lessons and create new value systems?

How can difficult conversations lead to positive change?

Tenacity and Ambition 
Andre Norman has always been tenacious. When sentenced to over 100 years in prison, Andre had a goal: be number one. The most influential, most feared, and the most violent inmate — the shot caller. In a population of 20,000, his ambition and violence landed him the third most powerful gang position in under four years. This same determination locked him in solitary confinement for the next two years. His future became clear: to continue on this path and succeed is to be crowned “king of nowhere.”
Andre charted a new course: attend Harvard and become successful. Over the next eight years, he devoted every waking hour to realizing his freshly minted dream. After teaching himself to read, Andre earned his GED, practiced anger management, studied law, and became a jailhouse lawyer. Andre reversed his case on appeal, began writing his book, and came up for parole. After 14 years in prison, Andre walked free.
Andre is a Harvard University Fellow and best-selling author of “Ambassador of Hope: Turning Poverty and Prison Into a Purpose-Driven Life.” A natural leader, talented musician, and catalyst for peace, his program Academy of Hope reduces violence in prisons across America.
The Impact of Mentors
A firm believer in helping others, Andre knows from personal experience that with guidance anything is possible. It is his mentors and counselors that helped him reshape the fundamental way he saw the world.
“Rabbi Natan Schafer, who was a prison chaplain — when nobody else would come within a hundred feet of me, this man sat with me and he taught me how to be human. I was first taught how to crush, kill, destroy, not cry, handle the pain, and that the one who can endure the most pain wins. But he taught me to be loving, caring, and a vessel of good.” - Andre Norman
In moments when the easy choice would have been to focus on himself and continue to make millions of dollars, Andre chose to stay true to his values. He has consistently shown up as a coach, mentor, and safe space for those who need it most for over 22 years.
“I specialize in keeping people alive, and I see myself as that person that other people looked over. I will work myself above and beyond because I remember what it's like to be the guy that nobody wanted to work with. The guy that nobody believed in. ‘Oh, he's going to jail,’ or ‘He's going to solitary,’ or ‘He'll never make it. He's going to die.’ I'm the guy that everybody wrote off. So I see that next person as the write-off. And if I'm walking away, am I writing them off too? I can't do that.” - Andre Norman
Key Takeaways:


Always show up. Make someone tell you no. Never say it for them.


Take control. People will always give you reasons why you can’t do something. Don't blame others if you listen to them.


Good stewardship. Leave your community better than you found it. Measure your success by how many lives you touch.

Links and Resources

The Game Changing Attorney Podcast

Michael Mogill Facebook

Michael Mogill Twitter

Michael Mogill Instagram

Michael Mogill LinkedIn

Crisp Website

Crisp Facebook

Crisp Twitter

Crisp Instagram

Crisp LinkedIn

Andre Norman Website

Andre Norman LinkedIn

Andre Norman Twitter

The Ambassador of Hope: Turning Poverty and Prison into a Purpose-Driven Life

Author
Michael Mogill, Crisp, and Andre Norman