A Redemptive Path Forward is Antong Lucky's memoir. It is a riveting telling of his life from gang banger to activist.

He was an A student in school from a young age, but living in the poverty stricken east Dallas, he found himself, at the age of 13, dealing drugs for local drug dealers. It is at this age that he was first busted. He was sent to a horrible reform school and came out only slightly damaged.

Before long, he found himself running his own drug store. Eventually he started the 215 Bloods gang. Their rivals were the south Dallas 187 Crips. In the midst of a horrendous gang war he was only shot once. At age 19 he was falsely accused and given a seven year sentence. Right before going to prison his then girlfriend gave birth to his daughter. While in prison he had an epiphany and became a Black Muslim. He was a voracious reader and read everything he could find to educate himself about his ancestry as well as other things. He became a well respected leader in prison. While there he met a man who had also been falsely accused and he promised him that he'd do everything he could to absolve him. This he did.

As a prisoner, Antong decided he'd become an activist and rid the streets of gang violence. It seems he only served three years of his seven year sentence. When he got out he met key people and began his quest. Among these people was one man, Omar, who took him under his wing. About a year after he was free, his girlfriend Keisha gave birth to his son. with his daughter he decided that he would not be an absent father. And so it was with his son as well.

His time with Omar was, and continues to be momentous. They had a summit involving both gangs and the end result was peace. They went on to travel to Russia with their message. They traversed the United States to meetings and seminars meeting with prominent leaders in the movement. As a result, they were granted funding and a well deservedplace around the table.

Antong Lucky didn't really know his father. When he was a child his father went to prison on what I assume was a drug charge. Antong had no respect for him, but while he was in prison he wrote him a letter. His father responded to him letting him know that he'd heard all about him and was very proud of him. After Antong was released, his aunt told him that his father was being released and wanted him to pick him up. Antong wanted to maintain his unbridled anger toward him, but when he saw him he found himself running toward him and was greeted with a fierce embrace. One thing that was blatantly missing from the book was what became of his mother.

Today, Antong and Omar are continuing the work they began. They are well respected and are in great demand throughout the country and I suspect around the world. This book was really eye opening for me. As an African American woman, I am so very proud of all he has done in the war on poverty, race relations especially as it pertains to the police, and peace where gangs are concerned. I would highly recommend this book. I will more than likely read it again. It was soul stirring.