CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- It’s a drive Gemini Boyd has taken too many times. On Beattie's Ford Road in north Charlotte, the glare of streets lights are often replaced with flashes of blue.
- Boyd was 22 when he was sentenced to 50 years in prison for drug and gun charges. Behind bars he became a prison elder, guiding many of the younger inmates.
- He's used that freedom to build on the work he did in prison, starting Project Bolt, a program where he works with teenagers headed on the wrong path.
- Project Bolt recently received $10,000 from a group of Panthers players.
Multiple people have died or been injured in violence along this stretch of road.
“I'm very upset this time, I am because I've been saying something needs to happen and nothing's happened yet,” said Terese Hutchison who owns The Dooby Shop School of Cosmetology.
It's why Boyd is visiting. He not only wants to find out what's happened but he's also working with people like Hutchison to stop it from happening again.
Boyd was 22 when he was sentenced to 50 years in prison for drug and gun charges. Behind bars he became a prison elder, guiding many of the younger inmates. He mentored them until a few years ago when he was released after serving 20 years.
He's used that freedom to build on the work he did in prison, starting Project Bolt, a program where he works with teenagers headed on the wrong path.
He focuses on everything from resume writing to getting them into college.
“Our youth think it's okay to do what their doing but it's not because you're hurting yourself, the community and others,” Boyd said.
It will take that wisdom to make a difference in places where people are tired and scared of the norm.
In a year when Charlotte is gripped by violence this Everyday Hero proves people can learn from the past and use it to make sure others don't repeat it.
Project Bolt recently received $10,000 from a group of Panthers players.
If you have an idea for our next Everyday Hero please email us at everydayheroes@charter.com.