We had the good fortune of connecting with Major Bunton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Major, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born in Gary Indiana. I was raised in Inglewood California were gang influence the youth throughout the community and I was one of those youth that decided to join The Gang to peer pressure. One thing lead to another and I ended up with a life sentence in prison, after 29 years in prison, I regain my freedom through insight of the person I was back than and who I become through the many self-help programs that help me identify the characteristics that I was struggling with. I had to relearn social behavior, human behavior which open up the doors to becoming personal trainer. That led to becoming CO-Foundation of nonprofit call the Made New Foundation where we use cognitive behavior treatment curriculum to help people from walking in the same path I walk down. I would like to end with this “MINOR SETBACKS FOR MAJOR COMEBACKS!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I learn about arts doing my incarceration at the age of 44 years of age. The actors gang introduce me to their signature “Style” and ensemble approach. Based in the belief that important stories have important states of emotions, I work towards creating pure moments of truth on stage, using ensemble movements, generosity, trust and emotional honesty. At that moment I started to feel human again. What sets me apart from others is my sincere to speak the truth without feeling pressure or shame of what I’m feeling inside. I’m proud of the opportunity to show my mother I can make a positive different in my old neighborhood. I’m excited to go to South Africa from a trip I won on the Price is Right. How did I get where I’m at today. Never devaluing myself and my place in this world and always knowing I had something to give if the opportunity presented itself. I would say it was easy when I learn how to get out of my own way. I learn throughout my incarceration human behavior to survive in a community that speaks violent. Those same human behaviors taught me how to self reflect on my own behavior giving me a tool I didn’t realize I had until I started inwardly. Now that I’m home I can see the many behaviors I was surrounded by but more important my own behaviors from all those years. In other words, I became my own psychiatrist without even knowing it. What I want the world to know is CHANGE IS POSSIBLE IN A MAJOR WAY.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The shoutouts that I would like to absolutely recognize first is my higher power for giving me the courage & willingness to look inwardly. Kevin Waters has been a great mentor in my life. a Warden name Rosemary Ndoh. Melissa Jackson, Malaya Bunton ,Marsha Bunton, Sabra Williams, Heather Roberts, Jeremie Loncka, Hannah Chodos, Gratiela Brancusi Lee Margaret Hanson, Tim Roberts Organizations, The Actors Gang, Creative Acts, Inglewood wrapping arms around the community, Dream live hope. Books that I would like to acknowledge The Four Agreements. Prison Relationships 101. Lastly I would like to shoutout all the people serve while working in prison who continue to find hope that someday they will find freedom.

Website: Madenewfoundation.org

Instagram: Major_Cause

Linkedin: Major Bunton

Facebook: Lawrence Bunton

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