The Bob Woodson Show: Bookman & Billy

In part one of our conversation, we learn about our guests. First, Bookman tells Bob about his background, why he decided to help stop the violence, and how he used his business to reach out. Then, we learn more about Billy, and the path that led him from the suburbs & college into a life of crime, and the spark that inspired him to change.

The Bob Woodson Show: Turning Youth Away from Violence

Bookman & Billy give their opinions on what it takes to transform youths, and the best techniques to do so. They talk about some of the schools they have helped transform, and the relationships they have with law enforcement in those areas.

The Bob Woodson Show: A New Brand of Leadership

Youth violence is a disease that is infecting and destroying communities. Billy and Bookman explain what they represent an antibody to those diseases. Then, a discussion on the right ways to change a school environment.

Billy Stanfield

Billy Stanfield is founder and executive director of New Vision Youth Services, Inc., which is in partnership with The Center for Neighborhood Enterprise\'s Violence Free Zone Initiative.

Mr. Stanfield was born February 2, 1969, to Billy and Ann Stanfield, Sr. in Baltimore City, Maryland. He was raised in middle-class, home-attended Cardinal Gibbons High School, where he was an all-American high schoool basketball player. He received a scholarship to attend Hagerstown Junior College for two years, majoring in business administration. After leaving Hagerstown Junior College, he received a basketball scholarship to attend the University of D.C., where he also majored in business.

It was at this time Mr. Stanfield began to make irresponsible decisions with his life. As a result of those decisions, he ended up leaving school and shortly after lived life as a drug dealer. In September 1993, he was face-to-face with death as two masked men shot him in both of his legs at his home in Glen Burnie, Maryland. The injuries were so severe his medical doctors thought Stanfield would be unable to live a normal life again. Mr. Stanfield attests that if it were not for the supernatural intervention of God in his life, he (Stanfield) would not be alive today.

Shortly after Mr. Stanfield was shot, he was arrested on federal drug trafficking charges and served 5 years in federal prison. There, he began to seek the Lord with a sincere heart and the Lord revealed to Stanfield that his purpose in life was to preach the Gospel and to help young men and women, through Stanfield\'s life experiences, make better choices with their lives. As a result of the calling on his life, Mr. Stanfield began to study and complete correspondence courses in theology and ministry.

Since Mr. Stanfield\'s release from prison, the Lord has continued to work through him by opening doors that would have otherwise remained locked. He has preached at several churches at youth revivals across the country. He speaks motivationally at high schools and penal facilities.

Currently, Mr. Stanfield is in partnership with The Center for Neighborhood Enterprise\'s Violence Free Zone Initiative, which is being facilitated at high schools in Baltimore, Maryland.

He believes every human being was born to win, and can achieve his or her purpose with the right vision, determination, and hard work.

Click here to learn more about New Vision Youth Services