Once An Orphan

Josh Santiago, founder of Empowering Cuts, was a troubled teen himself. In and out of jail from 12-24 years old, he was released with a changed mindset of "doing something right for the first time in my life." After earning his license to barber, he began to initially serve the Philadelphia homeless community, by providing free haircuts to homeless men. From this, he attracted the attention and has since traveled the country, serving the homeless community all over.Josh founded the non-profit organization, Empowering Cuts, to help change lives one cut at a time. While his work became popular by serving "family" in need, he also helped his own mother get clean after a nearly 40 year addiction. Now, almost a year clean, she's able to do things for the first time with her children and those who love her most.

Patrice Hudson is an adoptee hoping to find truth. Adopted at a young age, she, like most adoptees had questions and sought after learning who she really was and who she came from. Afraid that her adoptive parents didn't want her to ever learn the truth, she remained silent until she decided to speak out loud and document her adoption story. Adopted with a biological brother, she had some DNA connection, but she lost him. With that, she almost lost hope and herself, but the journey isn't over. For herself, brother, niece and nephew, she is moving forward with her journey of resilience.

For fun, Janeen Jackson decided to take a DNA test with her brothers at 46 years old. However, what was initially thought to be fun, turned out to be a devastating discovery, as she found that she was no match to her brothers. So, this test must be a scam for people to get money. Believing to have the resemblance of her grandmother, the thought of adoption never crossed her mind. Not only did she learn she was adopted at 46 years old, she also learned she was mixed race. A white Jewish father and a Black mother was something that never walked through her thoughts. She missed out on her culture, roots and family and lived in a lie for the first 46 years of her life. But why? Was it too hard to be honest with the sweet baby? The hurt she processed turned into a children's novel titled, Hello, Sweet Baby. A motivational speaker, author, pianist, blogger and so much more, Janeen began to learn all of what makes her who she is today. She learned where her talent and creativity came from. She found her biological parents through DNA testing. She found siblings. She got the story and learned so much about why she was placed, fostered and adopted. To purchase her book, you can visit her blog or website. This is a personal story, written about her personal experience in finding out she was adopted later in life. www.janeenjackson.com www.mixedupdiary.com hellojaneenjackson@gmail.com

Kimberly Ann held in so much beginning at a very early age. She was introduced to her mother, who was born with down symdrome, but didn't know why her grandmother was raising her. When she later learned she was a product of r*pe, she was filled with emotions, wondering who her biological father was and how he could do something like this to such a vulnerable human being. Filled with hurt, she had to navigate life not knowing. Through tears AND laughter, she became her mother's voice and at 37 years old, continues to put in the work to find truth. Someone knows what happened in Palm Beach, Florida 38 years ago. On TikTok, she's @hustleherdigital or Kimmy's World. She's telling her own story, in her own way.

She was more than a drug user. From her very beginning, God had ordained this moment for Natasha to speak of His goodness. On the morning of April 16, 2021, Natasha LaTour was homeless. Having very little to maintain in her personal life, she found herself shot 10 times by accused serial killer, Wesley Brownlee and praying to God she wouldn't die. The alledged gunman is believed to have already murdered 5 people prior, when in the wee hours of that morning, gave reason for Natasha to believe she'll be victim number 6. She was bleeding out and on the verge of taking her last breath, when she spoke to God and asked him to save her. Ignorant to God's work, she felt the presence of her grand mother's and recalled their prayers for her. In that moment, she knew to call of the name of Jesus. Now sober, Natasha is screaming from the rooftop what she survived and how she did it. It was nobody but Jesus! No one can tell your story like you. As Natasha tells her story, it's impossible for her to do it without speaking of the goodness of our Lord and Savior. Facebook: Natasha LaTour TikTok: Natasha LaTour #crime #murder #beliver #christ #survival #addictionawareness #addictionrecovery #jesuschrist #jesussaves #jesusislord #attemptedmurder #documentary

Kimmie always knew she was adopted, but it was later in life when she learned that her biological mother was just a 13 year old girl and biological father was in his 50's? Do we still call it that R word or is the truth also forbidden?

In 1972, a young lady had given birth to her second daughter. Raised by her single father at the time, she was told she couldn't bring another baby into the home. That baby was given up for adoption. It's 53 years later and that baby decides to go on the road of discovery and find her truth. After putting in the work, Tracy discovered more about her biological family, including BOTH parents. However, her birthing person remains in denial, not accepting the fact that SHE birth a child that she'd given up. Though, this baby had a good adoption experience, she now lives in the second rejection by the very person who abandoned her.

Terrance Brown was shot and killed while sitting inside of a vehicle causing no harm to anyone. David Carter was shot and killed in his home, causing no harm to anyone. Both men, loved by their families, senselessly killed and there's been NO justice. So, I say if Black lives don't matter to Black people, let's stop marching until we get it together. #BLM #blacklivesmatters #blacklivesmatter #unsolvedmurder #unsolvedmurders

Terry always knew he was adopted. An enjoyable experience, he still wanted and deserved to know his biological family. Growing up with good parents afforded him the opportunity to have the life he may not have had, otherwise. Thankful for the decision of his biological mother, he understood her rationale and was even more blessed at their reconnection. Sharing his story, Terry believes adopted children should know they're adopted.

As we know, not every victim made it. Most were beaten, raped, murdered and eaten; however, prior to being caught on the night of July 22, 1991, Tracy Edwards was able to escape and the nation learned the name, Jeffrey Dahmer. Admitting to murdering 11 men, Dahmer's stint in the military also gave him the opportunity to victimize other men. Mr. Billy Joe Capshaw was one of them and here, he tells his story.

Known for being one of the worst serial killers of all time, Jeffrey Dahmer was satanic. He drugged, raped, murdered, dismembered and consumed his victims. Admitting to eating the heart of one of his victims, Jeffrey was a true demon. Serving time in the military, Preston K. Davis, became one of his victims and shares his story of surviving Jeffrey Dahmer.

Sabrina was born to a Black woman and a White Man, but immediately placed for adoption. Her White adoptive mother made it easy for her to not have a "good" experience. Abused and neglected, she found herself being bounced around from state to state and from one troubled teen home to another. From being called a "Nigger" to Suzie Q", she felt no love or safe space in the home where she was raised.

On January 10, 2013, Kendrick "KJ" Johnson attended school like any other normal day. His father, Kenneth Johnson, said when he didn't hear from his son after school, he knew something was wrong. But when he didn't hear from him by midnight, he knew his son was dead. Initially, the county concluded that this was an accidental death. However, after the family conducted a private autopsy citing blunt force trauma, body wounds, deleted camera footage from the school, the parents knew that theory was a cover up in the muder of their 17-year old son. But who would want to harm this Honor Roll athlete and why? Questions remain unanswered, and the family continues to fight for justice. Kenneth Johnson, shares why he believes they're covering up the murder of his son.

Stephanieanne is a TESTIMONY! From a young girl, she had an attraction for other girls. Growing up in the UK, to Jamaican-born parents, she knew her homosexual lifestyle wasn't a thing they would ever accept. However, the lustful feelings continued to arouse, and she believed life as a man would be the only fitting lifestyle for herself. She had comfort in sleeping with women and the thought to transition her body would only make sense. What Stephanie didn't know, however, was that while she was transitioning her body, God was transitioning her soul and what you see is not only the faces of a woman, believing she could live as a man, but a DISCIPLE, A BELIEVER, and a warrior on the battlefield for our Lord.

Ta'Za Simone was a normal child, growing up in a home with her mother and older sister. So, how did she end up pregnant and giving birth to her mother's boyfriend's child at 12 years old?

Known for her Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes exercise, the only and only Jane Elliott sat for a conversation with me. The anti-racism activist has been committed to changing the theory of race by skin color for several decades. An educator who believes there's only one race, she stands completely against people being recognized as "Black" and "White." There's only one race-the human race.

In his very early years, @boujeeboy95 was just a "normal" kid. After his parents split, he was shared between two homes. At the young age of 7, his older cousin by 10/11 years introduced him to sex through homosexuality. He was raped. He was traumatized. After a number of times, he became what he was a victim of. Can this really happen in the Arab community and Muslim faith? Well, of course! But with that, he was disowned by his father and for a short time, his relationship with his mother was estranged. But let him tell it.

On Instagram, he's unleavened_bread1 and he faced a hard life being bounced around in foster care. From one home to the next and center to center, he found it hard to make friends and fit in. While his mother dealt with addiction, the state gave his father a difficult time to gain custody. Naturally, this would cause a child to feel alone. A year out of high school, Triston felt like life was no longer worth living and with a 12 gauge shotgun, attempted to take his own life.

Ms. Melanie was just a toddler when she was molested by her grandfather. Unaware of what he was doing, her 5 year old mind couldn't fathom why he would want to kill her, but he wasn't! Not understanding how she was being used for his orgasm, she felt like her life was ending.

Born Tiera Rice, at two weeks old, @Tiera-Marie was sold for $10,000 and an 8 ball; her name was changed to Candice Flores. Truth didn't come until she was 15 years old, when she learned her "parents" weren't her parents and her biological mother was in jail for murder. As the result of her aunt's heavy drug addiction, she was commodity and became the exchange.