He Lived It. Now He Teaches Kids How to Walk Away From It.
Leonardo Lechuga grew up on the streets of Aurora, Illinois, spent over 20 years in gang life, and served more than 13 years in some of Illinois’ most violent prisons. He also rebuilt his life — and for years he has taken that story into prisons and schools all over the country, teaching young people how to make better decisions and showing them the real consequences of bad ones.
Through Word in the Hood, his Dalton, Georgia-based nonprofit, Leonardo speaks to at-risk youth in a language they actually hear — because he has been exactly where they are.
Watch Leonardo’s full school talks on the Watch page.
They’re not selling you a retirement.
— Leonardo Lechuga, on what gangs really offer kids
Why Choose Us?
Leonardo’s approach is unique: he brings real credibility from his past experiences and “keeps it real” with the audience. With a history of hardship followed by success, he offers a real-world approach to making better decisions and building a successful life. Because he grew up in the inner city and saw firsthand the destruction that poverty, drugs, and gangs can cause, he can relate to young people who may have little hope. Poverty, drugs, and gangs don’t have to have power over us — we can overcome, no matter what our circumstances.
Speaking Topics
- Gangs — the lies used to recruit kids, and what the lifestyle really costs
- Drugs & Addiction — the deadly path of using and dealing, told by someone who lived it
- Choices & Consequences — how one decision can change everything, and how to choose before it’s too late
- Success & Personal Development — proof that your past does not have to decide your future
Full details on the Speaking page.
Support Word in the Hood
Word in the Hood is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (founded 2017, tax-exempt since 2023, EIN 82-2904512). Your donation puts this message in front of more students, in more schools, in more cities. Every dollar helps us reach the kids who need to hear it most.
Contact
Word in the Hood — Dalton, GA
Phone: (630) 301-1743
Email: leonardo@wordinthehood.com
