Michael R. DeLeon, a successfully acclimated ex-offender who after nearly 8 years of drug addiction and gang involvement, spent 12 years in state prison and half-way houses for a gang-related homicide. Since Michael’s release from prison, he has earned 3 Associates Degrees, a Baccalaureate Degree in Business Management, Criminal Justice and a CADC Certificate. He is pursuing his MAC from Liberty University. Michael is the founder of Steered Straight, Inc. A non-profit organization formed in 2000 designed with the intention of carrying a message to youth and young adults regarding the extreme dangers of drugs, gang-involvement and criminal activity. Michael has spoken to over two million students and young adults as a motivational speaker. Michael wrote, directed and produced “Kids Are Dying” a documentary on New Jersey’s Overdose Epidemic, “An American Epidemic”, and a documentary on the national overdose epidemic plague.