After Shaka Senghor was twice denied parole after 18 years behind bars, he had to decide: surrender to despair or transform himself from within.

He chose the path of hope. He adopted daily practices including journaling, meditation, mindfulness, and creative expression, and he turned his vision into action—in the process, discovering how to break free from everything that was holding him back from reaching his true potential.

As a result, he was able to focus on what he saw as his greatest barriers, which were within his own mind, and he discovered some truths about freedom he believes apply far beyond the walls of prison and that can transform every aspect of life, from relationships to careers.

New York Times bestselling author Senghor returns to Commonwealth Club World Affairs to share his inspiration for transforming lives, just as he transformed his self-esteem after incarceration.