During his incarceration, Randy was struck with an inspiration when he observed another inmate with a book titled 1,001 Jokes. As he flipped through the pages, an idea began to form in his mind, and he decided to set about writing his own book about 1,001 street slang expressions. After all, material for the book was readily available, considering that Randy was locked up with people from coast to coast and thus had access to regional slang from all over the country. Randy also had contact with inmates from different generations, which gave his list a historical flair. In fact, Randy's goal was easily met, and what had started as a project including 1,001 expressions soon turned into 10,001.
It took Randy seven years to complete his book project, and he was released from prison shortly thereafter, in 2005. Afterward, with the financial backing of his mother, Randy kept true to his dream and self-published the book STREET TALK: Da Official Guide to Hip-Hop & Urban Slanguage. He then sold it to Barricade Books, an independent publisher, who was able to distribute it to bookstores around the world. Excited by his newfound success, Randy quickly followed up with a second book, Changin' Your Game Plan! How to Use Incarceration as a Stepping Stone for SUCCESS.
Randy's second book has proved to be an inspiration to others and has helped many inmates make positive changes in their lives. In this book, Randy uses his own life story to inspire and teach. He does not focus solely on physical incarceration, but includes chapters on mental confinement as well. According to Randy, the purpose of the book is to reach out to youth, to show them the danger of heading down the same road he took. He writes passionately as he explains how to turn a negative situation into a positive one. In addition, he exposes what he refers to as the "game" and the ways in which people get caught up in it, preventing them from reaching their true potential.
Today, Randy is the president of Positive Urban Literature Inc., a company dedicated to promoting positive images within the African-American community. Randy continues to sell his books and often takes to the road as a motivational speaker at seminars and speaking engagements around the country. Randy has appeared on Comedy Central's Colbert Report, Tyeartv, and various other television and radio programs. In addition, Slate.com, the London Guardian, Brooklyn Courier and a plethora of Web sites have sought him out for interviews.
Randy has also taken advantage of the Internet by creating Myprisonjournal.com, a Web site giving those locked behind bars a venue for speaking out about issues that concern them. It also serves as a forum for ex-cons to teach and inspire as Randy has done.
Randy Kearse took what, for many, would have been an insurmountable hurdle and turned it into an opportunity. He found a way to make his mistakes pay off, and in doing so he has helped reach others who find themselves in similar situations. While Randy is certainly in the minority — a driven and successful ex-con — he continues to work hard to help others.
