Many years ago, while I was in the midst of my prison term, I read a biography of Benjamin Franklin. One particular section struck a deep chord with me—a poem that illustrated the importance of paying attention to small details. It went:
For want of a nail, the shoe was lost,
For want of a shoe, the horse was lost,
For want of a horse, the rider was lost,
For want of a rider, the message was lost,
For want of a message, the battle was lost,
For want of a battle, the kingdom was lost,
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.
The poem conveys a profound truth: ignoring small responsibilities can lead to larger catastrophes. It was a lesson I took to heart. During my time in prison, I realized that the flip side of this idea was equally powerful—by focusing on the small details and working diligently, we could open the door to new opportunities.
I committed to making the most of every moment. I worked hard to develop skills, build discipline, and create value, even while facing the enormous challenges of incarceration. That investment paid off. By sowing seeds during my imprisonment, I prepared for opportunities that would bloom upon my release. People noticed the work I had done. For instance, Professor Alan Ross invited me to contribute at UC Berkeley, and Joan Petersilia helped me connect with Stanford Law School.
The power of those small efforts continued to ripple outward. Thanks to Julio Marcial, producers at PBS learned about my journey. They filmed a segment for PBS NewsHour, highlighting the commitment I made to improving outcomes for all people in society.
That exposure created yet another opportunity—leaders at the Edovo Foundation reached out and asked if I could create digital content to teach people in prison.
This led to one of the most impactful relationships of my post-prison journey: a friendship with Brian Hill, the founder of the Edovo Foundation. Brian is an incredible entrepreneur, wholly devoted to improving the lives of others. His vision for using technology to bring education and transformation to prisons resonated deeply with me.
I am proud to work with Edovo and support their mission, both through my contributions and by financially investing in their success. Together, we now reach more than one million people in prison, offering them tools for growth and a pathway to a brighter future. And we’re always striving to grow further, bringing more hope, knowledge, and opportunities to those who need it most.
Self-Directed Learning Question:
- What small steps can you take today to lay the foundation for opportunities in the future?
- How can you ensure you remain attentive to the “nails” in your own journey?
