by C. Leachman Progress at Work
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 self-projection 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.
C. Leachman Progress at Work
It’s ironic how life's situations alter your perspective and gives either clarity or blurred vision to a person. Sitting in the cell thinking about writing a book, what to write about, do I make it heartfelt, if it should be political, or do I tell some trauma that happened to me in my life?
My conclusion is, I'm getting out of my own way and writing what comes naturally. Being a writer to me is emotional, being able to feel what you ' re writing about is what stands out to you and the people reading your material.
The passion of understanding that words are powerful and can lift a person up or tear a person down. Passion may also invoke love or dislike in different moments in time. In this time, for instance, I've been trying to figure out what book to write according to different titles I’ve thought about.
“A Walk with God” is one that tells of my journeys through life, good and bad, and how coming to jail has opened my eyes to God, and now ready to receive Him by walking humbly with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
“A False Understanding of the Real Me” is my title I thought of to explain how at different times in my life, I was misidentified because I didn't do things the same as other people.
Also it speaks to how I believe that a piece of the real me was left behind many years ago at the Great Lakes Naval Training base. The base psychologist didn't take time to learn the pain I was going through from the death of my cousin and seeing him on a metal bed in the morgue with a piece of wood sewn to the back of his head before he wrongfully got me kicked out of the Navy diagnosed with an Anti Social Personality Disorder. (A.S.P.D)
In my last book “Learning 2 Grow” I wrote about growing up and moving from one stage in life to another with a trophy on the cover symbolizing growing your own image and likeness, and not what others see you as or what they expect you to be, in a good way of course.
People are quick to play judge towards others and forget the closets full of crap within them with dirty doors holding them closed. I must say that over the years I learned not to judge anyone and pinpoint my very own issues, wrongdoings, and all the other things locked in my closets. I've learned to walk with God, admit my sins and faults, correct them and move on without constantly beating myself up about my shortcomings.
I learned how to walk with God by watching my mom and how she always seemed to put others before herself.
According to her faith, love, and her trust in the Lord, but I won't speak for mom.
(I’ll let mom speak for herself)
The first thing I want to say to the little children is to believe and receive Jesus Christ. I am a 71 year-old G.G Mom. I have memories from three years old, I gave my heart to Jesus, and he has held me in his heart ever since.
Therefore talk to Jesus because he hears you. My favorite two church songs I learned at the time were “Yes, Jesus Loves Me” and “Jesus Is Getting Us Ready for that Great Day.”
Children think twice before you do or say anything; the first thought may be your own, but let your second thought be more Christ-like. It's a brave thing to display the fruit of the spirit from your person. When I was four years old, Mama would take us children straight down 39th street to have a picnic on the lake, which is Lake Michigan. On the way, there was a building with a playground, and she would let us play. I told God, I wish we could live in a building like this.
In a very short time, we were living two blocks away. During that time, my maternal uncle moved to 40th and State. My paternal uncle moved on 40th and Prairie. My father moved on 40th and Oakenwald. We had the most beautiful view of the lake and the green trees and grass. Looking at the different forms and shapes the clouds would make was so soothing and therapeutic for me back then.
I told my Heavenly Father back then that I loved His Beautiful Creation. Also, I told Him that I wanted the same view when I was grown. I must say I do have that exact same view and even more because I can see the Barack Obama Presidential Library from my bedroom window. My message to the children is if you believe and receive Jesus Christ, rest in his perfect peace, and remember Philippians (Phil) 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
The words of wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration you have just read from my mother are just a few of many words of knowledge she has given me over the years, as well as our many memories.
The memories of her love and support, her teaching me how to ride my bike, having a brief talk about sex, and her being pissed at me for getting kicked out of high school in my junior year, but being elated when I came in from my prom wearing the crown of prom king. After I got myself back in school and still graduated on time.
My best memory of us is when I escorted my mom to my aunt’s Black-Tie birthday celebration. The picture we took that day tells of a Queen grooming a prince to be a King.
My mother walked faithfully with God throughout her life, even more so after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2016. My mom was called home with the Lord on May 18, 2025. After a daily walk of faith, bearing her cross, showing herself to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I'm still not sure how I feel. I understand that my mom has passed away and that she will never answer my calls anymore, give words of encouragement and wisdom in the physical or hearing her famous slogan at the end of a call;
“I Love You, Chat Lata, Holla”
I still can't fathom that she went home while I'm incarcerated. Even though I don't understand why things happen the way they do, I realize that all things are according to God's will and purpose.
I feel that sometimes even I have a false understanding of the real me, but I know God knows what's best for me, and walking with Him is the only way for me to find myself. I'm broken, weak and lost inside due to all the uniforms I wore throughout my lifetime. I jeopardized my friendships and relationships, and even my own happiness chasing a lifestyle that society said I had to live to fit in with the Joneses, whoever they are. I lived a life of sin, falsehoods, and broken promises, which now in my older age realize that I was chasing dreams and promises made by the streets, who don't love anyone, but will take everyone.
I think about the part of me that was left behind on the Navy base when I was wrongfully discharged, was that the real me that was left in the past standing still throughout time still looking at the future I had planned all those years ago?
Hopefully, you ' re still with me and understanding what I'm saying to you. I didn't choose any specific writing style. I'm putting things down raw and uncensored from my heart. Another pain I'm feeling besides losing my mom is being away from my grandkids: Kylie, Skyler, Kyle and Logan, the loves of my life. I never imagine being away from them missing out on being a part of their lives as they grow up.
Video visits, 15 minute in person visits after waiting hours to see me in jail. What the hell is this? How did this happen? One minute I'm working multiple jobs, going to school working on my B.A. degree and next I'm locked away for four years fighting the court for my life uncertain of what God's plan is for me.
I can't help but to wonder if His plan for me is to go home to my family or go to prison with either way leading me to accomplish the job He has tasked me with.
So to my readers, this is not a book, this is a journal of my thoughts, emotions, pains, suffering, losses, ups, and downs of my trials and tribulations with motherly teachings.
Although I don't know how or where this journey ends, I do know that this is a journal of the real me, a flawed individual seeking to become righteous in the eyes of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I Love You, Chat Lata, Holla.
Luke 9:23 “He said to them all, whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves daily and take up their cross and follow me. ”
Mom, you were my first best friend, teacher, encourager, helper, guide and my first earthly love. I thank God for the time He allowed me to spend with you in my life.
Miracles carry out God’s purpose or reveal God (John 2:11)
Overcome to gain victory (Rev 2:7)
Testimony of God's power (Eph 3:20)
Holy set apart (Devt 7:6)
Evangelist tell the good news (Isa 61:1-2)
Resurrection raised to life after death (John 11:25-26)
Your God's miracle to reveal that He helps us overcome our trials and tribulations, giving victory to his Saints, so we may testify of his power with all who believe. God has chosen you to be holy unto himself so that you may evangelize the good news of Jesus Christ who is the Resurrection, the Way, the Truth, and the life, our Lord and Savior.
I Am From
C. Leachman
I am from stopping the school to prison pipeline
From ConTextos and Zealous
I am from good trouble
I am I have a dream
I am from always fight the good fight
From the destruction of injustice
I’m from living sin free and die faithful
From parents raise your children right
And from being courageous in life's fight
I’m from being a good god fearing man
And from never give up, keep your eye on da prize
I’m from the Father and the Son of the holy spirit
I’m from the Eastside of Chicago
Until the lion learns to write their own story, tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter - African Proverb
