Victor Woods: From Prison to National Speaker, Author, and CEO

 

Victor Woods grew up in a household that seemed to have all the ingredients for success. His mother was a schoolteacher, and his father was a director of technical research for a Fortune 500 company. But despite this stable upbringing, Victor was drawn to a different path. “I wanted to be a gangster,” he says. His intelligence and mischievousness led to him being kicked out of a Montessori school for “talking too much.” Even in high school, his entrepreneurial spirit shone through when he started his own underground newspaper—so controversial that the police were called to investigate.

Victor’s life took a darker turn at 18 when he was arrested for his role in an armed robbery ring. But his troubles didn’t stop there. By the time he was 27, he was involved in a $40 million Visa Gold Card counterfeiting conspiracy, which led to a maximum-security federal prison sentence. His world had come crashing down.

But for Victor, prison wasn’t the end of his story. It was a turning point.

Turning Adversity into Triumph

In solitary confinement, at his lowest point, Victor fell seriously ill with an eye infection. It was during this time, that he began to reflect deeply on his life. Victor made a vow: to become a national speaker and author. He first started speaking to other inmates about reentry and the challenges they would face upon release. He wrote letters from prison, reaching out for speaking opportunities and often facing rejection.

But Victor refused to give up.

After his release, Victor’s persistence paid off. He became a national speaker, sharing his story of resilience and transformation at universities, corporations, schools, and prisons across the country. His memoir, A Breed Apart, didn’t come easily either. Rejected 78 times by publishers, he kept knocking until the door opened. Now, that same story is being turned into a film, with Kevin Hart securing the rights.

The Battle for Redemption

When asked about his challenges post-release, Victor is candid: “People don’t believe you’ve changed. You have to prove it.” Closed doors and skepticism often pave the road to redemption for many formerly incarcerated individuals. Victor’s philosophy is clear: “You keep fighting. You knock on the door. Nobody answers, you knock again. Next time, you hit a little harder. Still no answer? You come back and kick the door down.”

He faced countless rejections, not just for his book, but for speaking engagement opportunities and job opportunities. Yet every rejection only fueled his determination. Victor’s story is proof that change is not only possible, but achievable—even when the odds seem stacked against you.

The Role of Safer Foundation in His Journey

Victor’s connection with the Safer Foundation goes back to the 1980s, when he was required to check in with his parole officer at their main office. But his relationship with Safer Foundation didn’t end there. A Safer Foundation employee recognized his potential and encouraged him to apply to Northwestern University. Victor did just that and earned a full scholarship.

Reflecting on his time at Safer Foundation, Victor says, “He saw what was in me. There are some people that can see what you’re capable of, even when you don’t know it yourself.”

Victor found clarity in prison, like many people who are incarcerated. He describes it as a rare opportunity for deep reflection, something people in the outside world often don’t have time for due to the chaos of daily life. For Victor, this period of reflection was key to his transformation.

Victor’s Message: Never Give Up

To those currently walking the path he once did, Victor offers this simple, yet powerful advice: Never give up. His story is living proof that no matter how far down you are, no matter how many times the world says “no,” perseverance can rewrite your future.

The Safer Foundation is proud to have played a small role in Victor’s journey. His success serves as an inspiration to anyone who has faced incarceration, showing that with determination, support, and deep belief in your own potential, you can achieve greatness.