Sharmain Harris on Rising from Prison to Purpose: Fatherhood, Forgiveness, and the Power of Redemption

In this gripping episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, host Kenneth Braswell welcomes back author, speaker, and reentry advocate Sharmain Harris. From growing up in the streets of Racine, Wisconsin, to serving time in prison, Sharmain’s story is a raw and redemptive testament to the transformative power of second chances. Now a husband, father of three, and community leader, Sharmain returns to share the deeper truths behind his new memoir, Rising Above the Odds: My Journey from Pain and Prison to Power and Purpose.

With honesty and humility, Sharmain reflects on childhood trauma, the heartbreak of family separation, his time in prison, and the pivotal moments that changed his mindset. The conversation explores fatherhood as both an identity and a responsibility, how trauma impacts Black boys and men, and the systems that too often fail them. Sharmain also shares how becoming a stepfather, reconnecting with his faith, and facing his past led to a gubernatorial pardon and a renewed purpose to serve others.

This episode is not just a story—it’s a blueprint for healing, hope, and generational transformation.