In 1991, Detroiter Shaka Senghor went to prison on a 19-year sentence for a murder committed during his drug-dealing days. He was only 19, and a father of two.

But Senghor did not remain in prison. After receiving a letter from his son, Senghor turned his life around. His memoir, Writing My Wrongs: Life, Death and Redemption in an American Prison, became a New York Times bestseller, and he has gone on to give TED Talks and appear on Oprah, CNN, CBS This Morning, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, and other shows.

Now, the author and activist is coming back to Detroit, with a talk and book signing on Thursday at Southfield Public Library.…