About JD

JD is a lifelong resident of the city’s 3rd Ward, having been born and raised on the southeast side of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Once a juvenile offender and returning citizen, JD has transformed into a dedicated change agent for his community. After serving 10 years in the Michigan Department of Corrections for serious charges in the late ’90s, JD used his time behind bars for deep reflection and self-work—mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. He came to understand the power of personal accountability and the impact early intervention could have had on his life.

Released in 2007, JD committed himself to a new path, working in manufacturing while investing his energy into mentoring young people in the community. The foundation for a program he began developing in prison evolved into a movement. In 2014, he and a small team of like-minded individuals launched Realism Is Loyalty, officially becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on April 14.

JD still lives in the 3rd Ward with his wife Antoinette and their four children, continuing to lead RIL as Executive Director and Lead Articulation Navigator. 

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