Willie Knighten, Jr. is a native of Toledo Ohio who currently works in behavioral health, mentoring & re-entry. Willie spent 13 yrs in prison before being exonerated by the late Judge Skow, who wrote a letter from his death bed that ultimately led to Willie's freedom. Since his release, he has strongly advocated for peer mentoring & prison reform. He was nominated for the Jefferson Award and also has a local Ted Talk which has been well received. He is now married with a wonderful family, which includes a total of nine children, two of whom are four-legged, & ten grandchildren.