Streetgangs.Com Newsletter

Home > Magazine > Writers > André J. Norman

André J. Norman

André’s was born into a large inner-city family that struggled to stay above the poverty line. When he was the child, he got lost in the shuffle and as a result, he was neglected and forced to raise himself in a hostile environment. With little supervision or attention, André suffered from illiteracy until he was nearly eight. With the help of his 3rd grade teacher, Miss Oliver, he learned how to read, and finally got out from under the brutal teasing he endured at the hands of neighbors and even his own family.

Without guidance and structure, André began his slow descent into the netherworld of crime, starting with shoplifting and escalating to armed robbery and assault, all while still in high school (which he barely attended). André’s crimes led him to the Massachusetts Department of Corrections and the Federal Bureau of Prisons for an 18-25 year term. While incarcerated, other charges --including attempted murder --were added to his resume.

On November 15, 1999, André left prison focused on staying in Christ and fulfilling his two goals of attending college and helping youth. He is studying at Boston College and has continued to work with young people. Although he became involved in a Protestant church, André has maintained strong links with the Catholic and Jewish communities.

Since his release, Andre has dedicated his life to using his story of triumph over tragedy to reach those in need, whether they are behind bars or sitting in boardrooms of Fortune 500 corporations. For nearly five years, André has worked with and consulted for various organizations that work with high-risk populations. Incorporating social, interpersonal, and analytical skills into his work, André has developed innovative programs for high-risk youth, adults, and corporate executives, done street outreach and mentored ex-offenders, inner-city, and suburban high school students. His program development skills and dynamic speaking abilities have been recognized by academics, elected officials, and other institutions in cities such as Boston, Washington DC, Atlanta, Los Angeles, London, and elsewhere.

André has worked with former Attorney General Janet Reno and Washington DC, Mayor Anthony Williams. He has been profiled in the Boston Herald, National Public Radio, and various news media. His lectures have taken him to Harvard Divinity School, MIT, Northeastern University School of Criminal Justice, public schools in Compton, CA, Atlanta, GA, Boston MA, Brooklyn New York, Cohasset, MA and many more schools, adult prisons, youth detention centers and corporate training programs through London Business School. Beginning in the fall 2005, André will be a visiting lecturer at Tufts University, where he will teach a course on the U.S. prison system. He is currently revising his autobiography, Footprints, his message of hope, transformation, and how to turn obstacles into opportunities has inspired countless people to think differently about their lives and purpose. In his spare time, André enjoys travel, coaching basketball, playing chess, and watching movies. He resides in Boston, MA with his wife, Eva and son.

Visit his site at:

www.andrenorman.com