Born in 1958, grew up in Richmond, California, Leonard Neal once formerly incarcerated in the California Prison system where he served just short of 25 years consecutively for a multitude of violent felonies. Once viewed as a threat to the social order, he is now seen as a positive motivating force within society.

Married before, during, and after his incarceration to a special and lovely woman whom together they are the proud parents of three wonderful children, which have been the most influential individual’s in his life, along with his mother, and her unconditional love.

During Neal’s incarceration period, a transformation took place in his life, which contributed to his survival and his present success. Utilizing a variety of self-help groups and organizations, educational and religious programs that were available, enhanced his personal growth and desire towards becoming a productive member within society today.

Neal is a core member of our newly created organization “Project I.M.P.A.C.T. (Incarcerated Men Putting Away Childish Things)”, an organization that has created a forum, which utilizes his personal experiences to other individual. His dialogues with these individuals are unique; but emphatic, not just sympathic to those whose lifestyle has incarcerated them or who are at risk of being incarcerated. His dialogue allows them to understand that CHANGE is possible, not by words, but through deeds and actions. Adopting a set of core principles, which empowers one’s, self, will creates meaningful and lasting change for self, family and society as a whole.

As an IMPACT facilitator who’s desire in life is to be an inspiration to those who still have the will to fight, he uses a saying that his departed Grandmother use to say to him, “We ain’t never going to give up”. He will not give up on them; he hasn’t quit and will not let them. He believes that there is value in every human being and for those who take up the fight to showcase their value, he’ll be right there with them, doing the right thing, because it’s the right thing to do.