From pain to purpose.
Transformation
My name is Maurice Ford, and I’m a living example of transformation, resilience, and redemption. I was once trapped in a cycle of childhood trauma, incarceration, and survival, but I refused to stay there. Today, I stand as an author, a speaker, and an advocate for change. I’ve written two books—5 Times a Slave: How Childhood Trauma Can Create a Career Criminal and 5 Times a Slave: The Death and Resurrection of Maurice Burnette Ford. In them, I share my truth about how trauma can shape a life, but also how healing and purpose can break the cycle.
Raw. Real. Redemptive.
Truth & Change
When I speak, I keep it raw, authentic, and real—because that’s the only way I know how to do it. I draw straight from my own lived experiences, and I challenge people to face the hard truths about adversity. But I don’t stop there—I also show them a roadmap to transformation, because I’m living proof it’s possible. My talks connect with everybody—youth who are trying to find their way, educators working to make a difference, people in the justice system, and even leaders who want to truly understand how trauma, choices, and redemption are all connected.
Your past doesn’t define you.
Hope
No matter where I’m speaking—whether it’s a classroom, a community center, a conference, or even inside a correctional facility—I don’t just give a speech. I bring hope, I bring truth, and I share the tools for real, lasting change. My message is simple and it’s clear: no matter what your past looks like, you still have the power to rewrite your story.