Meet Percy Glover | Genesee County Deputy Sheriff Ambassador

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

Hi Percy, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I always say that the best education for me has come through the pain I’ve experienced. In life. I was able to find a higher level of creativity as well as become a better person based on the tougher lessons. In that, I refused to settle. Having spent a significant time in prison and being released almost 20 years ago, society was really unforgiving back then. It was really easy to embrace the “lack” of opportunity that didn’t exist back then and go back to the streets. I had to set a standard for myself that didn’t exist. I had to push myself and set goals that people said were unattainable. Having obtained three degrees with a professional resume that isn’t common for most people, I can say that it’”s important to take well informed and calculated risks. You don’t get far in life without challenging the situation and challenging yourself to grow and excel differently by not accepting mediocrity.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I describe myself as a cultural difference maker. My roles aren’t traditional: as a Genesee County Deputy Sheriff Ambassador, it’s not typical that a person works directly with a law enforcement agency as an ex-offender. The irony is, my personal and professional experience with incarceration provides a unique level of expertise that no one else has. Secondly, as a community advocate, my worst experiences are the assets necessary to understand the humanistic needs of the community. As a business owner, the expectation of success doesn’t exist for someone who has been to prison. Exiting prison, the belief society had for me is that I would recidivate or worse. Life is only as difficult or as easy as you define it. Things doesn’t always come together at the snap of a finger; my brand is one that exemplifies being able to adjust well and being able to learn something from every good and bad moment in life. There is a lesson to be embraced in every situation regardless of how great or how poor.

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?
Having a passion for cooking and an even stronger one for friends and family, the most ideal time in my mind is one that incorporates my love for the kitchen and my love for my network of people. The best memories in life are those that you create! A friend visiting from out of town would receive a lot of networking, nights on the town, laughs, and drinks. It would also encompass more bbq’s, cooking, cards, dominoes, and at games while catching up with friends and family. Moments like these are priceless!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There is one book that I recommend to everyone; As A Man Thinketh by James Allen is a light read from a perspective of the number of pages included in this particular book. However, it’s the most impactful piece that any reader can lay their eyes on. It pushes a person to understand that they are in full control of their destiny and anything is possible if the desire is strong enough, if the focus is clear, and if the determination is nurtured. Three people who are so important in my life today are my son, Johnell Allen-Bey, and Sheriff Chris Swanson. For me, being a father is the most emotional thing I will ever experience.
My son is the greatest motivation and only motivation in everything I do. He is the emotion that drives me to change the world.. I joined forces with Sheriff Swanson and Johnell with the attitude that we would change the face of jail reform and the criminal justice system. The courage these two men hold in their heart that resonates in absolutely everything we have done to create cultural change has impacted the thinking of law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors, elected officials, and community members.. These are the people and the “read” that has aided me in many aspects of what I currently do. Fear isn’t known for us;; and the commitment to break barriers and to recognize change is needed in a world that is traditionally closed to doing things differently, we have shown that people will embrace change when you show them how and why it’s needed. I will continue to work diligently with these men to show the world how our work makes so much sense and is so needed!

Website: https://www.amazon.com/Concrete-Abstract-Truths-Percy-Glover/dp/1951798023

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/percy-glover_realreform-eradicatinggenerationalincarceration-activity-6812924148915023872-fJ5o?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=ios_app

Twitter: @percy_d_glover

Youtube: https://youtu.be/KI8j37p0Cj4

Other: https://vimeo.com/624788868