Make a Donation to Kwayera K. Jackson's Defense Fund
There are times when the choices we make in life are merely inconsequential; they have no significant affect on us one way or the other. Other times, the decisions we make will have a grave influence on the narrative of our lives. As children, we are unaware of the power that lies within those choices. Our minds cannot comprehend that the balance between making the right or wrong decision can in an instant tear down the walls of all that we have worked so hard to build. Such is the case in Kwayera's story of how he came to be where he is today.
In 1998, Kwayera K. Jackson was a student, a son, a brother, a nephew, a cousin, a grandson, and a friend to many. He was also an 18 year-old all-star athlete and a football player in Edwardsville, Illinois, who would choose to give up his dream of playing for a major university on full scholarship so that he may be a father to his child, which is when his life took a sudden and unexpected life-altering variance. He refused to accept a plea bargain of 20 years, so the judge stated, "I'm going to make an example out of you," and sentenced him to 40 years in prison, essentially life.
Since his incarceration nearly 16 years ago, Kwayera has become a prolific writer and is striving to become a published author. Educational opportunities in Illinois maximum security prisons have become non-existent; despite this fact, Kwayera has utilized his time seeking out his own educational endeavors. He has become adept in spirituality, philosophy, science, astronomy, meditation, world history, politics, religion, and economics. He has used this experience to self-educate and grow as a man and as a human being. Kwayera offers love, compassion, and guidance to all who he encounters; hoping to, in some way, add volume to the characters of others instead of diminishing them; hoping that they, too, will add to his.
Currently, Kwayera has obtained competent legal representation and is still fighting for justice in his case. Kwayera's loving family, supportive friends, and a host of well-wishers across the globe are all anxiously awaiting his release...
In 1998, Kwayera K. Jackson was a student, a son, a brother, a nephew, a cousin, a grandson, and a friend to many. He was also an 18 year-old all-star athlete and a football player in Edwardsville, Illinois, who would choose to give up his dream of playing for a major university on full scholarship so that he may be a father to his child, which is when his life took a sudden and unexpected life-altering variance. He refused to accept a plea bargain of 20 years, so the judge stated, "I'm going to make an example out of you," and sentenced him to 40 years in prison, essentially life.
Since his incarceration nearly 16 years ago, Kwayera has become a prolific writer and is striving to become a published author. Educational opportunities in Illinois maximum security prisons have become non-existent; despite this fact, Kwayera has utilized his time seeking out his own educational endeavors. He has become adept in spirituality, philosophy, science, astronomy, meditation, world history, politics, religion, and economics. He has used this experience to self-educate and grow as a man and as a human being. Kwayera offers love, compassion, and guidance to all who he encounters; hoping to, in some way, add volume to the characters of others instead of diminishing them; hoping that they, too, will add to his.
Currently, Kwayera has obtained competent legal representation and is still fighting for justice in his case. Kwayera's loving family, supportive friends, and a host of well-wishers across the globe are all anxiously awaiting his release...