Shaka Senghor
The Catalyst
Ideas with a spark, energy, range and the ability to start things.
Shaka Senghor is a former inmate turned author and advocate who uses his story of transformation to inspire and mobilize others towards social change. This interview reveals his commitment to addressing systemic issues and his ability to connect with and empower vulnerable communities.
“So I wrote down that I wanted to finish something because what I learned during my journalism is I had never completed anything. I never graduated high school. I never falled off going to the military. I always started things but never finished anything. So one of the first things for me was you have to complete something.”
“But what I want is for you to change. Yeah. And if you don't change, just don't hurt me again. The reality is that the people that you forgive can possibly hurt you again. And then you have to decide, okay, do I want to go back into that door again? And that's the complex things, especially with parental relationships.”
“So I started writing it and then I didn't finish it. And then I put it up and I was like, you know, I don't owe him a letter. And I think that's one of the things about forgiveness. You know, it's not about him. It was really about me. And what I realized was like, what matters in my life today?”
“Now he's in the sophomore year in college doing incredible. And I'm just super proud. You know, this kid is going to do some amazing things in the world and to be able to pour into him and to have him receive that because it's not always easy for young men specifically to take guidance from older men.”
The Axe Files with David Axelrod — Ep. 489 — Shaka Senghor
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