Manu Lewis

Born in Minneapolis amidst the city’s post-riot unrest of 1970, Manu Lewis’s early life was immediately marked by the systemic societal fractures that would profoundly influence his path. His mother’s subsequent move to Atlanta, as the crack epidemic loomed, further exposed him to profound instability and harm during his formative years. This environment became a harsh immersion into the destructive realities of urban life, ironically leading him to participate in the “Scared Straight” program, a well-intentioned but ultimately ineffective intervention that foreshadowed his entry into the Georgia correctional system.

Manu’s incarceration exposed him to the devastating consequences of systemic issues, witnessing the erosion of lives, the loss of loved ones, and the profound isolation of confinement. Each loss served as a stark reminder of his destructive trajectory and the potential for a permanently lost future. However, even within this bleak reality, a sense of hope for change began to take root.

Upon release, burdened by his experiences yet driven by a powerful desire for transformation, Manu returned to a changed world with a resolute commitment to building a better life for himself and his community. His journey transcends mere survival, serving as a poignant reflection of the systemic failures disproportionately affecting Black and Brown communities and highlighting the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Manu’s life powerfully underscores the urgent need for restorative approaches, community healing, and a justice system that prioritizes human potential and offers a unique perspective on the possibility of profound personal and societal change.