Mark was born in Lakenheith, England, raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and settled in San Diego, California, at the age of 15. Since his incarceration, Mark has 5 Associate level degrees from Palo Verde College, graduating with honors (Summa Cum Laude) and a 4.0 GPA. Additional achievements include a United States Library of Congress Braille Transcriber certification, Alcohol & Drug Studies Specialist I & II certifications, and an Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) Team Coordinator certification. Upon his release, he plans to transcribe Braille, counsel drug addicts and gang members, and advocate for fair and just policies and laws.


"If we as a nation can find the compassion to show troubled youth that our country values them and is willing to invest in them, then I can assure you that the vast majority of these young men and women all rise above the existential challenges they face while they simultaneously carve out brighter, more promising futures, and, by doing so, they will teach us a little something about the transformative power of hope."
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)