Darnell Tomlin’s story is one of loss, lessons, and leadership.

Born and raised in Bushwick, Brooklyn, Darnell found himself pulled into the streets early. At just 21, he was falsely accused and convicted of a crime he didn’t commit a decision that stole 19½ years of his life. Gang affiliation and association put a target on his back, but it was the system that ultimately took him away.

Now, after 5 years home, Darnell is a motivational speaker, mentor, father, and aspiring entrepreneur, using his experiences to pour into the next generation. He’s on a mission to reach the youth before the streets do, and his message is rooted in accountability, peer pressure, and self-respect lessons he had to learn the hard way.

In this powerful episode of Dog in the Yard, Darnell opens up about what it really means to grow up in an environment that sets you up to fail, and how he used time in a cell to transform his mindset, reclaim his purpose, and build a new future.