We had the good fortune of connecting with Omar Howard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Omar, what do you attribute your success to?
I was determined to be successful and to not only change my life but to assist in helping other trouble and at-risk youth to make better choices in life. I was determined to give them something I wasn’t given and that was hope. I didn’t realize the choices I was making were going to take me down a dark path because I didn’t know anyone that I trusted to teach me or show me how.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My life has been very challenging do to being a convicted felon. But, I have dedicated my life to helping other troubled youth and other felons to make better choices by creating a mentoring program that will help detour our young adults from a life a crime to being a productive citizen. Since being out of prison I’ve to be on many platforms speaking on reentry, stop the violence, prison reform, youth intervention, etc. It allowed me to be in front of many elected officials and organizations. Once Heartbound Ministries hired me and I was allowed to go back into the prison. It put me under the telescope to see how this will work out to allow a former prisoner to hold a position. Trying to adapt to being an employee to the agency that supervised me for 15 years. One of the most challenging parts was working around individuals that didn’t like or trust me because I was a former Inmate and trying to prove myself every day that I was trustworthy and till this day my reputations is still under a microscope. I want people to know that there are others who will come out of prison and be great employees, employers, and friends.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Depending on what the vibe is and what they wanted to eat. There are several restaurants that I prefer Tredericks Seafood & Grill, Slutty Vegan, Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria, If they wanted to go watch sports I would take them to Chariots Bar & Grill or Rock & Tacos. If they wanted to go to some historical sites I would go to the King Center, The Center for Civil and Human rights, Apex museum, Trap museum, World of Coca-Cola, or Six Flags. If it just relaxing I would go to Belt lIne to walk or ride bikes. Atlanta is so full of history I would also take them to see all the wonderful black murals in Atlanta. Take them to the Mercedez Benz Stadium or Braves Stadium to watch Professional sports. We have HBCUs colleges here in Atlanta.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to first Thank God for not allowing me to die before I had a chance to get in together. Second my mother Christine Howard for not giving up on me and supporting me while I was incarcerated. I want to thank Andrea Shelton and her organization Heartbound Ministries for supporting me while I was incarcerated and employed me as a Chaplain to go back into the prison system. I want to thank a few special men who have played very valuable roles in my life. The late Chaplain Nix who was a mentor and a father figure in my life while I was incarcerated up till his passing in which I succeeding at the Atlanta Transitional Center. Mr. Stanley Arrington for being so bold and trust God to allow me to come back as a Chaplain which never done in ATC history. The late Mr. Ed Menifee for being such a positive example and role model and for believing in me. I want to thank Mr. James Johnson for being a great mentor, friend, father figure, and support throughout these last 12 years. I also want to thank the Hancock family and especially Brad Hancock for supporting My organization throughout the last 6 + years. There are so many more others.

Website: www.freedomisachoice.net
Instagram: the_author_omarhoward , the_real_omarhoward
Linkedin: Omar Howard
Twitter: Omar Howard
Facebook: Omar Howard
Other: Amazon.com The Omar Howard Story

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