The Early Years
Growing up in Nashville, Tennessee during the 1970s and ’80s was a formative experience for me as a young, poor Black kid in the working-class but close-knit neighborhood of Bordeaux Hills. I was active in school, sports, and youth programs like the Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts, Junior Achievement, and Who’s Who Among High School Students, which allowed me to meet a wide range of people and build lifelong friendships. I was known as an intelligent, self-assured athlete and worked hard from a young age—starting with odd jobs, then real jobs at 15, including McDonald’s and cleaning office buildings. After high school, between ages 18 and 27, I worked various jobs as a security officer, dietary aide, salesman, and order puller, including positions through the Manpower temp agency. My most steady employment was with CSM Construction, a home repair and renovation business, and I also ran a side business silk-screening and selling custom apparel at HBCU events such as football classics and homecomings.
1995- Present
In 1995, Joe D. Martin, Jr. was a 27-year-old father rebuilding his life after personal heartbreak—including the devastating loss of his infant son.
On December 17, 1995, Joe was home cooking a soul food dinner for his girlfriend when a shooting occurred across town. He had no connection to the crime, its victims, or the men eventually named as co-defendants. Despite multiple witnesses stating they did not know him and no physical evidence linking him to the scene, Joe was swept up in a flawed prosecution, and Joe was sentenced to 90 years in prison.He has now served 30 years—decades stolen from him due to a wrongful conviction.
Rather than allow prison to define him, Joe committed himself to transformation, education, and service. Over the years, he has become a mentor, legal advocate, and teacher, helping others prepare for reentry and fight for justice. His accomplishments include:
On December 17, 1995, Joe was home cooking a soul food dinner for his girlfriend when a shooting occurred across town. He had no connection to the crime, its victims, or the men eventually named as co-defendants. Despite multiple witnesses stating they did not know him and no physical evidence linking him to the scene, Joe was swept up in a flawed prosecution, and Joe was sentenced to 90 years in prison.He has now served 30 years—decades stolen from him due to a wrongful conviction.
Rather than allow prison to define him, Joe committed himself to transformation, education, and service. Over the years, he has become a mentor, legal advocate, and teacher, helping others prepare for reentry and fight for justice. His accomplishments include:
- Paralegal diploma
- Certification as a victim awareness facilitatorTeacher’s aide in reentry and life skills programs (Career Management for Success, Release for Success)
- Legal aide supporting others with civil and criminal cases
- Member of the National Lawyers Guild (Jailhouse Lawyer)
- 4.0 GPA in Divinity Studies at Union University
- Vice President of C.A.U.S.E., a program focused on job training and self-education
- E.C.H.O Instructor