The ConTextos Authors Circle was developed in collaboration with young people at-risk of, victims of, or perpetrators of violence in El Salvador. In 2017 this innovative program expanded into Chicago to create tangible, high quality opportunities that nourish the minds,,expand the voices and share the personal truths of individuals who have long been underserved and underestimated. Through the process of drafting, revising and publishing memoirs, participants develop self-reflection, critical thinking, camaraderie and positive selfprojection to author new life narratives. Since January 2017 ConTextos has partnered with Cook County Sheriff's Office to implement Authors Circle in Cook County Department of Corrections as part of a vision for reform that recognizes the value of mental health, rehabilitation and reflection. These powerful memoirs complicate the narratives of violence and peace building, and help author a hopeful future for human beings behind walls, their families and our collective communities. While each author’s text is solely the work of the Author, the image used to create this book’s illustrations have been sourced by various print publications. Authors curate these images and then, using only their hands, manipulate the images through tearing, folding, layering and careful positioning. By applying these collage techniques, Authors transform their written memoirs into illustrated books. This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number ALN 21.027 awarded to Cook County by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Englewood Baby Keyonte Martin
As I lay in my single person size bed in my cell deep in thought, I'm contemplating all of my life choices, wondering where did I go wrong to end up in a brown DOC (Department of Corrections) uniform with a number attached to my name leaving me absolutely flabbergasted.
I can honestly say I never envisioned myself here and tried so hard to avoid this place by making good decisions, yet I still wound up in the system.
Being told when to eat, shit and sleep is very powerless and inhumane if you ask me, and other citizens agree too, such as politicians.
Five months ago I was a free law abiding citizen working Monday-Friday as a substitute teacher out in Crown Point District and I was a damn good one too. But also while in my spare and/or down time I was a very prominent community activist.
My reasoning for taking on these 2 roles is that I wanted to change the narrative of a young Black male who was prone to be a statistic because the odds were stacked against him.
You see, I grew up in Englewood, the SouthSide of Chicago. There was always a source of gun violence or a young adult on the way to jail, that was a minority; but I’m really focusing on my own skin color brown or black if you will.
I grew up predominantly in a single parent household. I’m sure you can guess which parent; my mother of course, no shade to the single fathers doing it on their own due to seen and unforeseen circumstances, both parties are MVPs.
As I was saying, I grew up living with my mother without my father in my life basically my whole life. My mother did what she could and took care of me and my brother to the best of her ability.
My brother and I have different fathers; my father has been incarcerated my whole life for the most part; however, I know him and never had any malice towards him or any other person in the world for that matter. I've always been laid back and content.
Growing up in the hood with not many resources and on the less fortunate side, many would say the odds were against me and shit, I would too, not knowing the untapped potential I had with all of the world to see. Surely appears I fumbled my life and surely those who changed or are willing to change deserve a second chance. 1 mistake shouldn’t cost us all our natural life.
My whole life I’ve been protective of those I hold dearly to me and love. I grew up in a household of love and around love, however, me wanting to look after others and hold people down caused me and my big heart to suffer.
Back in my community of Englewood, I did a lot of things that residents of the community can vouch for that I need no praise or commends for such as getting kids off the street, good or troubled, by providing a safe haven, hot meals, religious services, and most importantly, someone they can relate to.
As far as adults I helped them find jobs, places to live, extra streams of income as well as provide AA and drug programs.
Waking up from my thoughts I’m realizing 5 months later I currently wake up around a bunch of other males who I don’t know, may or may not get along with that have different personalities and may love jail while others want to go home to their families and friends.
I’m in a few programs here, well quite a few programs but the one I’m discussing currently is GED. You see, although I have a diploma I enrolled because I wanted to help my fellow detainee neighbors get one step closer to their milestone by tutoring them nonstop and sholl nuff that’s what I’m doing.
This makes me think back to teaching at Crown Point. You see when I subbed I offered help to those that needed it. One time I came to work I remember a student asked me about the Constitution and how many House of Representatives there were and I told her why and gave an explanation behind it.
She explained she knew it however she confused the Senate and HOR all the time and I assured her she’ll be fine and to just keep studying. I knew by taking this job I’ll be molding the future for the better and leaving a lasting impression on them as well as staff through my dedication.
Speaking of lasting impressions, one day I was in the neighborhood doing what I’d call outreach and I stumbled upon these kids with guns who seemed as if they were recording a video.
I wasn’t sure what to make of it at first and was kind of pessimistic about approaching them however I did and I can truly say I altered lives. Here’s why. When I approached them they already knew who I was because of giveaways and the above mentioned previous deeds.
So after chatting it up with them for a few minutes and advising them what they could be doing with their time could be so much better I told them to come by the Salvation Army; sure of they wouldn’t regret it. Sure as nuff they came and it hasn’t been a time that they weren’t there and are always thanking me for giving them a chance when in reality it’s me deep down thanking them for giving me a chance to help them.
There is nothing more that I love than helping or interacting with the youth. Protecting the youth and their innocence and strengthening their minds is a beautiful thing and most importantly letting them know they’re loved and can do anything they put their minds to.
We are all neighbors whether we live on the same block, a few streets over, a few communities over, cities apart or even states apart. We all have love in us so let’s love each other and build each other up.
Being that I’m older and maturer, I take care of my friends in helping them become whatever it is they want to do or become. My friends want to be in the music industry and trust and believe that I have their best interest at heart genuinely.
They look for my advice on everything such as beats, videos, occasions for videos, outfits and pretty much whatever else you can think of. Being a team player and business savvy, I came up with a record label called MW2X which means More Wealth More Willingness. What I was taking into account was no one would really sign to a gang oriented label public eye speaking so it had to sound good and professional.
My friends and I had it hard but we ain’t give up. Three things we based and centered the label off of was GOD, family and money. Believing these were key factors, people got up and perfected their craft is what make people do what they love, get paid, change their lives, families’ lives and even the fans all for the better. All is well in the music department, we’re getting love and support from all over including industry mainstream artists. At this point of the memoir I'm sure I’ve painted a picture of the person I was, am and will be. I’m sure you see yourself or someone you know within me; wearing your heart on your sleeve. . .
Keyonte Martin I Am From I’m from the southside of Chicago From 67th and Sangamon and 70th and Morgan I am from 1307, which was the 2nd building on Marquette Rd Across Ogden Park towards Loomis I am from ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone I’m from Paris and Angelo From diapers and Air Force 1’s to Diors and Saints Laurens And from resilience and determination I’m from blood don’t make you family And family don’t make you blood From a hard head make a soft ass I’m from Islam; one of Allah's humble servants I’m from St. Bernard Hospital I am from ain’t no such thing as a life that’s better than yours
Until the lion learns to write their own story, tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter - African Proverb Copyright
2023 ConTextos