TOLEDO, OH (WTOL) - A Toledo man is using his life story to help others.
Willie Knighten was once a gang leader even convicted for murder, but now he is working with recovering addicts and their families to create a better future.
"I have a duty to this community because I took so much from it in the years I was on the streets," said Willie Knighten, a former gang member who is now using his past to create a better future.
From a young age Willie knew, drugs, alcohol and violence.
"The lure of the streets drew me to it and I got involved in the gang life, I got involved with the drugs and it just escalated," said Knighten.
As a teen he was arrested multiple times and even spent his 18th birthday in a juvenile detention center. His life as a gang leader continued until he was accused and convicted of a crime he did not commit.
"In 1996 I was accused of killing a man that today I've never seen," explained Knighten. "I was sentenced to prison with a life sentence of 18 years to life and I prayed every day that the truth would come out."
Clearly Willie's prayers were answered. On his judge's death bed Willie was released from prison in 2009 after serving 13 years. He knew there was a reason for his release.
"Adversity, it builds character and I just want to give hope to these families who are struggling. Not going through the same thing that I went through, but pain is pain, suffering is suffering," said Willie Knighten. "If I can do anything to minimize that to just sooth it, to help them then that's what I am called to do."
The struggle he helps other through he understands well.
Just two weeks ago Knighten's baby sister, Sadari, was gunned down while on a pizza delivery. He now shares his story wherever he can, working to help children and families in our community.
Wednesday he spoke at the Families and Addicts Coming Together meeting (F.A.C.T.).
Recovering addicts at the meeting said hearing Willie's story impacted them.
"It gives you a little more hope," said Mark Noller, a recovering addict. "You battle things in your mind that you wonder if you are doing the right things or not and sometimes to hear somebody else tell it, it gives you encouragement that you are."
Willie's story is far from over. Every day he is challenged to help the community in a new way. He wants Toledo to be the best it can be. While he knows there's a lot of work to be done, he's willing to put in the time.
He now works in the behavioral health field and helps those getting out of the system re-acclimated. Willie Knighten believes real change in our community needs to start with love.
"We have to go back to love," said Knighten. "We live in a society where the word hater has become so prevalent. I'm about love, I'm about doing what's right because deep inside of us we all know right from wrong."
