Today we’d like to introduce you to Mecks Mac
Hi Mecks, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Upon graduating from Frostburg State University, I obtained employment as a drug and alcohol counselor at Patuxent Institute, a maximum-security prison in Jessup, MD. It was through this employment opportunity that I saw first-hand the injustices incarcerated people face on a daily basis. I’ve worked in community-based drug treatment programs where I worked closely with individuals on parole and probation, and saw how such programs are designed to keep people in the system, rather than assisting them to successfully get out of the system. However, it was through my personal experiences of being incarcerated on non-criminal traffic violations that led me to write a book about my experience that so many people can relate to.
It was during my time at Baltimore County Detention Center that I saw the whole picture of the injustices people face while going through the criminal justice system; such injustices that many people want to forget and find hard to discuss. My goal in writing my first memoir, Out of the Ashes I Rise: Surviving BCDC was to bring awareness of the inhumane treatment Maryland’s citizens experience. In 2014 I started my advocacy journey through NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness, which organizes an annual Advocacy Day where they train volunteers to meet with Maryland State Legislator’s to advocate for mental health initiatives. It has been through this work that I realized most legislator’s do not have much knowledge of the injustices that I witnessed and experienced at BCDC. I wrote Out of the Ashes I Rise: Surviving BCDC with such legislator’s in mind. Paul McCartney once stated, “If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegetarian.” I feel that the same can be said about detention centers. If detention centers had glass walls, everyone would be a criminal justice advocate. It is through my first memoir that I break down the concrete walls that are built to not only keep incarcerated people in, but keep society out. I wrote my first memoir in October 2020 not knowing that in the months to follow I’d find myself incarcerated, again, on charges that I did not commit. It was while I was incarcerated for the second time that I knew I needed to get my book published, that people need to know what is going on behind the walls, and why so many people are unsuccessful when they are released from incarceration. Two-weeks after my release from this 8-month incarceration my charges were dropped at my hearing. This experience catapulted me into more advocacy efforts and led me to publish my first memoir, and obtain my second bachelor’s degree from the University of Baltimore in Legal Studies.
It was during my studies at University of Baltimore that I finally found my answer as to why people continue to face injustices in our communities. It is the policies that are in place that have been designed to create such injustices that target marginalized communities. I had planned on going on to law school, however, it was at this point that obtaining a Master’s in Public Administration was a must. Thankfully, the University of Baltimore has a dual MPA/J.D program that I am working hard to complete; I just sat for the LSAT in hopes of starting law school this fall. I have written two more books that detail what led to my first incarceration, as well as what I experienced during my second incarceration. This may be hard to understand, but I am thankful for the horrific experiences that I have faced, as such experiences ignited a fire in me to pursue advocacy efforts for all members of my community.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It seems that my struggles have been what led me to where I am today. It has been a difficult time to say the least. Looking back it seems as though that as soon as I would be going forward in helping people some outside force would abruptly stop me in my tracks and attempt to try to break me. It has been through such adversity that has made me a stronger and more knowledgeable advocate for Baltimore residents and beyond. I won’t allow my pain and suffering to be wasted, especially with the understanding that I’m not the only one that has experienced such suffering. I’ve been in and out of psych wards from 2011 through 2021, I’ve been divorced, sexually assaulted, homeless, unemployed, and incarcerated. Coming out of my second incarceration I went into a residential program in Park Heights, because I had nowhere else to go. I faced many injustices in the residential program at the hands of the staff that were supposed to be there to help me get back on my feet. I’m currently on Medicare and I have had horrible experiences in obtaining decent healthcare when I’ve needed it. Every difficult experience I endured keeps adding fire to the flame that burns inside me to help others that face horrific injustices throughout my community, and with every passing traumatic experience, I get stronger.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a professional student, so to speak. I have two bachelor’s degrees, a master’s degree, and I am currently working on my second master’s degree while also going through the process of applying to law school in hopes of completing the dual MPA/J.D program at the University of Baltimore. One day I’ll be finished with school, maybe.
I have been an active advocate in the Maryland community since 2014, where I advocate during Maryland’s general assembly for prison reform and mental health initiatives.
I am most proud of writing and publishing my first memoir. I have always wanted to be a writer, but God led me in a different direction in pursuing my first bachelor’s degree in psychology. It seems to have come full circle, though, as I did end up becoming a writer without majoring in journalism, like I wanted to.
I don’t know if this sets me apart from other people because I know there are many people that are doing important work because of the injustices they’ve faced, but I haven’t allowed my traumas to hold me back. I’ve instead used them as motivation to work hard so that other people don’t experience what I’ve experienced. I know my purpose and I’ve found my purpose through every difficulty I’ve faced.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My first outlet for finding a mentor was Instagram. I found like minded people and organizations through searching hashtags, which led me to finding D. Angel in Pittsburgh, who is a returning citizen and has written two memoirs about his experiences. We developed a strong friendship and he has given me pointers for getting my book published and has helped me through some of my difficult times.
I have also found mentors in volunteering. Volunteering for organizations that are working toward the same goal that I am has afforded many opportunities that I wouldn’t have otherwise received. Networking within such community organizations has given me a community of like-minded people.
I would recommend getting involved in volunteering for organizations that are in line with what you are passionate about. For instance, I came across the organization, Maryland Alliance for Justice Reform in a google search that afforded me the opportunity to work with them and testify in the Senate and the House advocating for the passing of the Correctional Ombudsman Bill, which finally passed in Maryland’s 2024 General Assembly, which has an outside agency oversee incarcerated people’s grievances in 13 of Maryland’s prisons.
I would also recommend using social media for finding like-minded people, whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, or X. If you do searches on those platforms, you will find that there are a lot of connections to make that can help you grow your network. Make sure to follow people on social networks that are doing what you want to be doing, and don’t be afraid to reach out to them, you’ll find that most people welcome your inquiries and you never know where that contact could lead you.
Pricing:
- $19.99 portion of proceeds are donated to a local non-profit organization doing prison reform work
Contact Info:
- Instagram: out.of.the.ashes.i.rise
- Other: mecksmac@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Main photo is taken by Jay Po Gordon
