DeWayne Wilkerson has turned from felon to filmmaker and he's using his life of crime as an opportunity to teach young people.
Saturday night he was celebrating the release of his movie "The Greatest Gift 2.0." Among those attending, was the man who put him in jail.
In 1996, Wilkerson was a hip-hop promoter who also dealt drugs. Narcotics agents nabbed him during a sting operation and he was sentenced to 15 years. Two years later he tried to escape and was slapped with at 19 to 135 year sentence.
Wilkerson says that sentence got his attention. "So, a great reality check. And that's why my message to the kids is to stay away from the streets. If I can turn my life around, they can too."
Wilkerson didn't have to serve that full sentence. After an early release in 2009, he made it his life's mission to make a difference. He turned to filmmaking. Saturday, he celebrated the official launch of his DVD "The Greatest Gift 2.0." The 70-minute drama is aimed at helping struggling kids make positive choices.
Wilkerson says, "It's part of a youth motivational they have been touring around the state. We are just so happy brining it home to launch it out into the world."
Monroe, Michigan Mayor Robert Clark was the task force commander of the narcotics sting that put Wilkerson behind bars. Saturday, he showed up to show his support for Wilkerson's work.
"He has a great message and it shows that no matter what may have happened in your past, there's always opportunity for the future." Clark said.
Wilkerson's story and film are gaining national attention and he plans on continuing his motivational tour across the U.S.
Saturday, May 25 2013 5:09 AM EDT2013-05-25 09:09:30 GMT
Toledo police are trying to determine how a person ended up shot inside of a car on N. Reynolds Rd. between Dorr and Bancroft.It happened overnight Saturday, around 2:30 a.m. Police tell 13abc a state
Toledo police are trying to determine how a person ended up shot inside of a car on N. Reynolds Rd. between Dorr and Bancroft.It happened overnight Saturday, around 2:30 a.m. Police tell 13abc a state
Friday, May 24 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:03:53 GMT
A man was filling up his tank when he noticed the pump kept running, even after he finished filling up. 13abc went looking for answers to see what drivers can do if they've been overcharged.
A man was filling up his tank when he noticed the pump kept running, even after he finished filling up. 13abc went looking for answers to see what drivers can do if they've been overcharged.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:51 PM EDT2013-05-25 01:51:06 GMT
Frost Advisories are in effect, early on Saturday morning, for all of the 13abc viewing area, except for Paulding, Putnam, Allen and Hardin Counties, where temperatures will likely stay slightly milder.
Frost Advisories are in effect, early on Saturday morning, for all of the 13abc viewing area, except for Paulding, Putnam, Allen and Hardin Counties, where temperatures will likely stay slightly milder.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:56 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:56:34 GMT
A man who was held at gunpoint after trying to break into a home has been indicted. A grand jury indicted Kyle Caldwell on one count of attempt to commit burglary. Police say he tried to break into a
A man who was held at gunpoint after trying to break into a home has been indicted. A grand jury indicted Kyle Caldwell on one count of attempt to commit burglary.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:53:45 GMT
A change of course may have saved some jobs at the Lucas County Board of Elections Friday. The meeting started with an agenda that said "termination of employees." But just as the board meeting started,
A change of course may have saved some jobs at the Lucas County Board of Elections Friday. The meeting started with this agenda that said "termination of employees." But just as the board meeting started, board president Ron Rothenbuhler made a statement that in lieu of terminations, he wants the Lucas County Human Resources Department to work toward positive solutions to issues.
Saturday, May 25 2013 5:09 AM EDT2013-05-25 09:09:30 GMT
Toledo police are trying to determine how a person ended up shot inside of a car on N. Reynolds Rd. between Dorr and Bancroft.It happened overnight Saturday, around 2:30 a.m. Police tell 13abc a state
Toledo police are trying to determine how a person ended up shot inside of a car on N. Reynolds Rd. between Dorr and Bancroft.It happened overnight Saturday, around 2:30 a.m. Police tell 13abc a state
Friday, May 24 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:03:53 GMT
A man was filling up his tank when he noticed the pump kept running, even after he finished filling up. 13abc went looking for answers to see what drivers can do if they've been overcharged.
A man was filling up his tank when he noticed the pump kept running, even after he finished filling up. 13abc went looking for answers to see what drivers can do if they've been overcharged.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:51 PM EDT2013-05-25 01:51:06 GMT
Frost Advisories are in effect, early on Saturday morning, for all of the 13abc viewing area, except for Paulding, Putnam, Allen and Hardin Counties, where temperatures will likely stay slightly milder.
Frost Advisories are in effect, early on Saturday morning, for all of the 13abc viewing area, except for Paulding, Putnam, Allen and Hardin Counties, where temperatures will likely stay slightly milder.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:56 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:56:34 GMT
A man who was held at gunpoint after trying to break into a home has been indicted. A grand jury indicted Kyle Caldwell on one count of attempt to commit burglary. Police say he tried to break into a
A man who was held at gunpoint after trying to break into a home has been indicted. A grand jury indicted Kyle Caldwell on one count of attempt to commit burglary.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:16 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:16:18 GMT
Bowling Green Police have issued a warrant for a Toledo man wanted for robbery. Jesse Bays, 26, was identified after police released surveillance images and got a tip that helped ID him. Officials say
Bowling Green Police have issued a warrant for a Toledo man wanted for robbery. Jesse Bays, 26, was identified after police released surveillance images and got a tip that helped ID him.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:04:46 GMT
There are new details in the cat killing controversy in Stryker that we first told you about in March. Stryker Police Chief Steve Schlosser pleaded no contest to animal cruelty in Bryan Municipal Court
A judge found Chief Steve Schlosser guilty and sentenced him to pay a $500 fine, plus court costs. It all stems from a stray cat killing controversy 13abc first reported in March.
Friday, May 24 2013 4:27 PM EDT2013-05-24 20:27:22 GMT
Toledo police need your help identifying some robbery suspects. Police say someone broke into the Eastgate Carryout on May 11. They released surveillance images of the people believed to be responsible,
Toledo police need your help identifying some robbery suspects. Police say someone broke into the Eastgate Carryout on May 11. They released surveillance images of the people believed to be responsible, as well as the vehicle they were driving.
Friday, May 24 2013 4:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 20:04:26 GMT
Two Toledo children have been missing since Sunday. According to police, 14-year-old Rochelle White and 15-year-old Zachery White ran away from home. The children's mother reported them missing May 20. If
Two Toledo children have been missing since Sunday. According to police, 14-year-old Rochelle White and 15-year-old Zachary White ran away from home. The children's mother reported them missing May 20.
Friday, May 24 2013 3:56 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:56:32 GMT
Friday is a sad anniversary in Monroe, Michigan. Four years after 5-year-old Nevaeh Buchanan was last seen alive, the investigation into her murder continues. Signs of heartache across Monroe are still
Today is a sad anniversary in Monroe, Michigan. Four years after 5-year-old Nevaeh Buchanan was last seen alive, the investigation into her murder continues.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:53:45 GMT
A change of course may have saved some jobs at the Lucas County Board of Elections Friday. The meeting started with an agenda that said "termination of employees." But just as the board meeting started,
A change of course may have saved some jobs at the Lucas County Board of Elections Friday. The meeting started with this agenda that said "termination of employees." But just as the board meeting started, board president Ron Rothenbuhler made a statement that in lieu of terminations, he wants the Lucas County Human Resources Department to work toward positive solutions to issues.
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