Mike Curry is a storyteller, entrepreneur, and advocate whose journey from incarceration to empowerment showcases resilience and transformation. During his 21 years in prison, Mike turned to writing as a source of healing and self-discovery, eventually using his passion to inspire others.
As the founder of Unseen Handz Media and co-founder of The Life After Prison, he supports returning citizens in rebuilding their lives. His book, 3 Pounds of Pressure, offers a raw look at inner-city life and the ripple effects of gun violence. Mike’s mission is clear: to inspire change, offer second chances, and show that brighter days are always ahead.
Given your challenging past, how did you discover the transformative power of writing, and how has it shaped your identity?
Writing and identity are intertwined. It shapes and informs each other in profound ways. When I was young I started to write as a grade-schooler, my natural ability to tell stories helped shape my identity by being able to touch on shared experiences with others. After grade school I found myself intertwined with the culture of the streets and disbanded my passion as a writer. It wasn’t until I found myself in prison that I committed myself to follow the immediate, short, and long-term goals that I drafted. One of those goals was to pen as many manuscripts as possible while incarcerated.
You’ve experienced two periods of incarceration. How did writing help you cope with the challenges of prison life, and how did it contribute to your personal growth during those difficult times?
I spent nine years in prison and then I spent another 12 years in prison for a total of 21 years. During my first prison sentence, I wasted a lot of time entertaining the wrong things. During my second sentence, I wanted to do something different. Writing became my stress reliever. When I felt like I was ready to stress, I put that emotional energy into something productive. I deemed writing as productive because it kept me away from everyday prison life. It took me to a place of solitude and peace. Writing helped me discover certain talents and skills, both personal and professional, that I would have never discovered.
“3 Pounds of Pressure” offers a raw and authentic portrayal of life in the inner city. What inspired you to share these stories, and what message do you hope to convey to readers?
The inspiration for “3 Pounds of Pressure” came from the lifestyle that I had lived before I came to the prison system. I came up in an environment where bad means good and negative means positive. I always wanted to share stories about where I came from, the things we go through, and how we can find ways to come out of dreaded situations. My aim with “3 Pounds of Pressure” is to help the readers understand that it only takes three pounds of pressure to pull a trigger. Gun violence does not only harm the victim or the shooter, but it harms family members as well.
How has your entrepreneurial journey, including the establishment of your media company, contributed to your personal and professional development?
My entrepreneurial journey started while I was incarcerated. While I was in prison, I took several classes on entrepreneurship, and those classes helped shape and mold me to have the mindset of an entrepreneur. The contribution of Unseen Handz Media helped me with discipline, determination, and dedication on both the professional and personal levels.
As the co-founder of The Life After Prison, you actively support individuals re-entering society. What are the most significant challenges facing returning citizens, and how does your organization address these issues?
One of the most significant challenges facing a returning citizen is adequate health care for their mental well-being. Most prisoners coming home from long prison sentences have what is called “Post Incarceration Syndrome” also known as PICS. It’s a psychiatric syndrome similar to PTSD but geared toward those who experienced incarceration. Some of the ways we help with PICS are by helping them obtain mental health screenings and identifying the traits of PICS. We also help with digital and financial literacy, understanding how to obtain housing, and helping them prepare themselves for the workforce.
What advice would you offer to aspiring writers, especially those who may be facing personal or societal obstacles?
The advice I would like to give is that writing is a passion and not a trend. Never give up on your writing and stay focused on perfecting your craft by using the 5 P’s: Proper-Preparation-Prevents-Poor-Performance as the blueprint to guide you to follow your passion.
How do you balance your creative pursuits with your role as a business mentor and coach?
I balance my life, understanding that balance is not something external. It lies within you and having a healthy balance in all areas of your life comes with many benefits. I separate each role in my life in my life and handle them independently and professionally.
What are your future goals and aspirations, both in terms of your writing and your work with returning citizens?
I consider myself an author/entrepreneur and I aspire to help novice writers become authors and entrepreneurs. The goal is to keep adding to the 3 Pounds of Pressure Book series, adapting the book series into a TV mini-series. Far as the goal of Life After Prison is to continue helping those coming home from prison get the necessities that they need so they can be self-sufficient and successful and another goal is to continue doing the work and constantly add on to the resources and programs that the organization offers.
How do you believe your experiences have shaped your perspective on life, justice, and the importance of second chances?
Twenty-one years of being incarcerated changed my view on how I carry myself these days. I spent a lot of lonely days and nights in prison wondering about my next step and how I could move with more of a purpose. Being in prison is similar to being stripped of your humanity. The importance of a second chance is giving one who made a mistake correct that mistake by reversing the curse. Giving a person a second chance not only motivates them to do the right thing but also shows the world that there is a life after prison.
What message of hope and resilience do you want to share with those who are struggling or facing adversity?
The message I would give on hope and resilience is that hope is one of the most valuable commodities and without it, you can succumb to unhappiness, sadness, and hopelessness. I also want to share to keep pushing, continue learning new things, and remember dark days are temporary and brighter days lay ahead. Never fear embracing resilience because hiding inside is the secret to a life full of enjoyment.
Be’n Original
