Darryl Woods Sr.

Once sentenced to spend the rest of his life behind prison walls, Darryl Woods Sr. now helps shape public safety, mentors the next generation, and advises leaders on building stronger communities through accountability, restoration, and hope.

After serving 29 years of a life sentence, Darryl's sentence was commuted by Governor Rick Snyder — marking not the end of his story, but the beginning of a life devoted to serving others. Today, he is recognized throughout Michigan as a respected advocate for redemption, restorative justice, youth development, and transformational leadership.

While incarcerated, Darryl surrendered his life to Christ and devoted himself to helping transform the lives of incarcerated men through mentorship, discipleship, education, and servant leadership. He became a trusted leader within the prison system, serving in leadership roles with the NAACP Prison Branch while creating opportunities for restoration, hope, and second chances. Together with dedicated volunteers and partners, he helped raise more than $100,000 for scholarships, victims' families, and community initiatives — demonstrating that meaningful change can begin long before freedom.

Today, Darryl serves as Vice Chair of the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners, helping strengthen trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve through accountability, collaboration, and public engagement. He also serves on Michigan's Appellate Defender Commission, bringing both lived experience and principled leadership to conversations that shape the future of justice in Michigan.

As Founder of Fighting the Good Fight, Darryl leads a movement committed to restoring hope and creating opportunities for young people facing some of life's greatest challenges. Through the organization's mentoring initiatives inside the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility, Darryl and his team walk alongside youth during one of the most pivotal moments of their lives. They provide one-on-one mentoring, restorative conversations, life-skills coaching, conflict resolution, family engagement, court advocacy, reentry planning, and connections to education, employment, and community resources.

But their work doesn't stop when a young person leaves detention. Fighting the Good Fight is committed to long-term transformation — building lasting relationships, strengthening families, connecting youth with positive opportunities, and helping them discover that their identity is not defined by their past, but by the purpose that lies ahead. The mission is not simply to reduce recidivism; it is to restore hope, rebuild lives, and empower the next generation of leaders.

Whether speaking before thousands, mentoring young people, collaborating with community organizations, or advising civic leaders and policymakers, Darryl carries a message rooted in faith, accountability, and the unwavering belief that every person deserves the opportunity to rewrite their story.

Today, the man once told he would never again walk free is helping shape policies, restore communities, mentor future leaders, and inspire thousands to believe that no life is beyond redemption. His journey stands as living proof that while a sentence may define a season, it never has to define a destiny.