I am a cultural anthropologist whose research follows the life histories of men and women who have been gang-involved and have been incarcerated. Using anthropology and social work theory and methods, I work to better understand how these individuals create new lives in positive ways. My research and community work are concerned with portraying how people change and showing how they are healing the communities they once tried to destroy – learning kindness, leadership and a sense of kinship. This research is also a springboard to help support these men and women and their communities in continuing to change and grow.