From the streets of East New York’s Pink Houses to nearly 25 years in prison, Joe Robinson known as Donkor inside, meaning “humble person” has lived both sides of transformation.

At 22, he was sentenced to 25 years to life for murder in the second degree and spent the next 24 1/2 years incarcerated, where he turned time into purpose. Behind those walls, Joe became known for teaching entrepreneurship and personal finance to other men serving time, using his own growth as a roadmap for theirs.

Since his release on October 3, 2016, Joe has built a new legacy. He worked as Director of Reentry Services at a law firm for seven years, helping others transition successfully after incarceration, and today he’s the founder of Mindful Money, LLC, a business dedicated to financial empowerment and personal accountability.

Joe is also the author of three self-published books, with his memoir Losing Mama set for release next spring a story about loss, love, and redemption. Married for 20 years to the same woman he met while incarcerated, Joe’s journey is one of humility, discipline, and vision.

This episode of Dog in the Yard dives into the life of a man who turned a life sentence into a life of purpose proof that you can rebuild, reimagine, and reclaim your story no matter where you start.