Nate Williams was raised in Compton, and became a product of his environment. Arrested as a youth, he was sentenced as an adult at only 17 years old and served 32 years in prison. Though Nate was held physically captive by the system, he never allowed his mind to be limited or his will to be broken. He founded Choices for Freedom, a California nonprofit with a mission to  work with currently and formerly incarcerated individuals, their families, and communities affected by mass incarceration to heal trauma, and to create a better and stronger community.  He is spearheading a Credible Messenger training, a violence intervention and prevention program for youth and gang involved young men, and a rehabilitation program for people being held in the belly of the beast. He is a motivational speaker and has been featured in music videos, documentaries, and public art installations as his story and work continues to resonate with people all over the world.