Johnny Strozier Keeping It Real - Reentry 05/23/15

Johnny Strozier was a Georgia prisoner for 46 years (from 1968 to 2013) and served about 15 of those years in solitary confinement. Call-in to speak on air at 347.857.3293. Strozier was initially arrested at age 6, when he and friends burglarized an Atlanta warehouse to steal cigarettes for family members and candy for themselves. He was first imprisoned at age 10. His sentence was lengthened numerous times due to his lack of cooperation with juvenile detention rules. Later, his sentence was lengthened to 90 years after assaulting a prison guard.

Strozier's warden told him he would never exit prison alive because he often escaped and was involved in gang activity, but Strozier changed. He became a Christian in the 1980s. Strozier became active in church, married, and gained his high school diploma while still incarcerated. He also became a certified cook and brick mason. Since prison release, Strozier works, counsels youths, and faithfully attends church. Strozier has been presented to speak at prestigious engagements before college student bodies, civil rights officials, and church congregations. In fact, Strozier assembled a group of churches and individuals to help other released inmates find subsistence assistance, encouragement, and a spiritual family.

Strozier will share information about reentry opportunities, the importance of avoiding behavior that leads to incarceration, and he plans interviews with persons who can share valuable information that will improve lives of former inmates and at-risk youths. Phone Strozier at 678.516.4993.