Riccardo L. Harris

Misery to Motivation Riccardo L. Harris

A call-to-action has been placed upon educator, author and Pastor Riccardo Harris' life following the 2008 murder of his 19-year-old son. The motivation for the murder: a gang member did not like the way Harris' son glanced at him while their vehicles were stopped at a traffic light. Harris' son was not a gang member. The killing ignited the activist in Harris to turn his misery to a motivational message in hopes to save other young people from experiencing or perpetuating the senseless violence that claimed his son's life. Through masterful storytelling and a powerful delivery, Harris' message ultimately aims to help heal young people; to fill the voids within those who are hurting; to prevent inexplicable violence by promoting his character challenge; and to offer a word of caution about the far-reaching implications of gang violence- even upon those who have no gang ties. And while Harris knows there may be some young people who may continue upon a possibly perilous journey, his message candidly reveals the power of choosing another path.