Guy Fisher’s story is one that is marked by both infamy and redemption. He was once a notorious drug dealer who rose to prominence as a member of the Council, a violent drug-trafficking organization based in Harlem, New York. However, after serving more than 30 years in prison, Fisher turned his life around and achieved a remarkable feat – obtaining a PhD degree.
Born in South Carolina in 1947, Fisher moved to New York City as a child and grew up in the Bronx. He dropped out of school at a young age and turned to drug dealing in his early twenties. Fisher quickly rose through the ranks of the Council and became one of its most important members by the early 1970s.
The Council’s activities had a devastating impact on their community. They distributed heroin, which led to an increase in drug addiction and violence in the inner cities of New York. The group’s actions also had a negative impact on their families and friends, many of whom were caught up in the cycle of violence and addiction that the Council helped to perpetuate.
Fisher’s involvement with the Council eventually led to his arrest and conviction. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Fisher was incarcerated for over three decades, during which he had time to reflect on his actions and the impact they had on his community.
While in prison, Fisher became determined to turn his life around. He started to educate himself, reading books on a wide range of subjects and taking courses on business, finance, and accounting. He also became involved in mentoring other prisoners and encouraging them to pursue education and self-improvement.
After serving 32 years in prison, Fisher was granted clemency by President Barack Obama in 2017. Upon his release, Fisher immediately began working to rebuild his life. He started by purchasing the Apollo Theater in Harlem, a historic landmark that he hoped to transform into a community center for arts and education.
Fisher’s plans for the Apollo did not come to fruition, but he remained committed to his goal of giving back to his community. He enrolled in college and pursued a degree in business administration. Fisher excelled in his studies and was soon accepted into a PhD program.
In 2020, Fisher achieved his dream and obtained a PhD degree. He wrote his dissertation on the subject of re-entry programs for formerly incarcerated individuals, drawing on his own experiences the challenges faced by those returning to society after serving time in prison.
Guy Fisher’s story is one of both tragedy and triumph. He was once a notorious drug dealer who helped perpetuate the cycle of violence and addiction in his community. However, he used his time in prison to reflect on his actions and commit himself to education and self-improvement. Fisher’s journey serves as a reminder that no matter how far down the wrong path we may have gone, it is always possible to turn our lives around and make a positive impact on the world around us.
