Kelly Sparks

At the age of fourteen, Mr. Sparks was introduced to selling drugs in the Sandtown erea of Baltimore City. By the age of seventeen he was a big-time known drug dealer in the community and was unfortunately charged with murder. He was sentenced to 50 years in the Maryland State penitentiary. After serving 27 years and 8 months he realized he could no longer be part of the problem and had to be part of the solution. He realized that he loved giving back so he started five self-help groups while incarcerated addressing conflict resolution, gang violence, crime prevention and educating youth who were incarcerated with him. While incarcerated, Mr. Sparks earned his high school diploma and upon being released, enrolled in Coppin State University. Mr. Sparks now work for the Mayor’s office supporting the youth who squeegee (cleaning car windows at redlights) Mr. Sparks has also a youth organization, Sons of Phoenix.