Richard Kevin Kemp Sr. was born in French Camp California on August 27, 1959, and grew up in Stockton, California. Kevin spent the early part of his life assisting his mother in raising his younger siblings while she worked and attended college at night. At age 17, Kevin began playing drums and became a member of several local bands. In 1981, in his own words, he became seduced by the drug culture and started using cocaine. Because of a (4) month addiction, Kevin was convicted in a drug related crime and sentenced to a California State Prison. He served over (19) years and was released in May of 2003.

While incarcerated Kevin participated in several self-help programs and earned a college degree. In 1997, Kevin was selected to participate in a men’s accountability group, which led to the formation of Project I.M.P.A.C.T. (Incarcerated Men Putting Away Childish Things). Today, Kevin was one of a few men chosen to work as a Project I.M.P.A.C.T. Facilitator in the California Juvenile Justice System.

In 2005, Kevin returned to San Quentin State Prison to speak before the “National Black Congressional Caucus” and to appear on the “Larry King Live Show.”

Kevin is a Gospel Recording Artist and currently serves as Minister of Music at the “World Impacting Church”, in Elk Grove California. For the past (3) years Kevin has been a motivational speaker at the P.A.C.T. Meetings held at the Stockton Adult Parole Complex and he receives countless invitations to speak to youth organizations, churches, schools and community groups. But Kevin will tell that the highlight of his life today is spending quality time with his grandsons, Eric Jr. and Isaiah, who calls himself (Small Richard).

Kevin says he is on a mission to keep “ Boys in the hood from becoming Men in the pen.”