The Power of Education: A Pathway to Redemption
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Devin: What is your superpower?
Kevin: I think it’s doing the work, man. I had people a long time ago tell me, “Your work speaks for itself.” So you don’t have to talk.
In my conversation with Kevin Shird, the author of A Life for a Life, one powerful idea stood out—how Education can be a path to redemption, even in the most challenging of circumstances. Kevin’s journey, including his time in prison, is a testament to the transformative power of learning. He didn’t allow the experience of incarceration to define his life negatively. Instead, he used the opportunity to educate himself and turn his life around.
Kevin shared with me, “Education will be the answer out of this mess.” For him, the decision to embrace learning during his imprisonment was the catalyst for his personal and professional Growth. Without that commitment, he believes he wouldn’t be where he is today, contributing positively to society.
Not everyone who finds themselves in similar circumstances is able to make the same transition, however. One of Kevin’s former cellmates, Damien, tragically experienced a different outcome. Despite Kevin’s encouragement, Damien struggled with the lingering Trauma from his past, which included the loss of his parents and witnessing horrific violence. His story, as detailed in Kevin’s forthcoming book, highlights how unresolved trauma and a lack of Mental Health support can derail someone’s life, even after serving their time.
Kevin’s experience underscores the crucial need for education and mental health services, both in prison and beyond, as vital tools for rehabilitation and preventing recidivism. His story is a call to action for better support systems for those who need them most.
Kevin Shird’s book, A Life for a Life, is now available for pre-order on Amazon and other major platforms, with an official release scheduled for April 2025.
tl;dr:
Kevin Shird shared the transformative power of education during his time in prison, which he credits for changing his life and helping him become a contributor to society.
In this episode, Kevin contrasts his journey with that of his former cellmate, Damien, whose struggles with trauma, addiction, and lack of support led him back to prison.
Kevin emphasizes that doing the work and making sacrifices have been central to his success, highlighting his relentless dedication to writing, education, and helping others.
He recounted a pivotal moment when he was invited to speak at the United States Conference of Mayors about the opioid crisis, marking a turning point in his journey from drug trafficking to being a voice for change.
Kevin’s advice for success is simple: focus, sacrifice, and ignore distractions, as consistent effort will ultimately lead to meaningful results and personal growth.
How to Develop Doing the Work As a Superpower
Kevin Shird’s superpower is the relentless commitment to doing the work. He believes that consistent, focused effort is the key to achieving meaningful results. For Kevin, the value of hard work lies in its ability to speak for itself without the need for boasting or promotion. He emphasizes that dedication, sacrifice, and perseverance are essential for success in any endeavor.
Kevin shared an anecdote that exemplifies his superpower when he was invited to speak at the United States Conference of Mayors in 2016. After publishing his first book, he was asked to participate in a panel with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Justice Department to address the heroin epidemic. He described the experience as surreal, reflecting on how his past in drug trafficking was now being leveraged to make a positive impact. This opportunity led to more influential work, eventually earning him an invitation to the White House.
Tips for Developing the Superpower:
Sacrifice: Be prepared to make sacrifices, whether it’s time with family, leisure activities, or other personal priorities, to achieve your goals.
Focus: Ignore distractions and outside noise, staying committed to the work that needs to be done.
Persevere: Keep pushing through, even when the work is difficult or doesn’t immediately show results.
By following Kevin Shird’s example and advice, you can make “Doing the Work” a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.
Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!
Guest Profile
Kevin Shird (he/him):
Author and writer Kevin Shird Enterprises
About Kevin Shird Enterprises: Content Creation
Website: a.co/d/9peNrrs
X/Twitter Handle: @kevin_shird
Company Facebook Page: fb.com/KevinA.Shird
Other URL: simonandschuster.com/books/A-Life-for-a-Life/Kevin-Shird/9798888458440
Biographical Information: Kevin Shird is a four-time published author, activist, and screenwriter. He has become an expert on using the past to build a better future. Shird began his very unorthodox journey at the tender age of sixteen when he started dealing drugs on the streets of Baltimore. This led to him serving a total of almost twelve years in prison. Since leaving prison, Shird monetized his life’s lesson by authoring books on social issues. He lectures at colleges and universities across America on issues like education, public health policy, and mass incarceration. During the Obama Administration, he collaborated with the White House and President Obama’s Clemency Initiative. In 2018, he became an associate at Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Medical Humanities and Social Medicine, where he co-teaches a class on public health. Today, he serves as a professor at Coppin State University.
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/kevin-shird-6b76455a
Instagram Handle: @kevin_shird
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