Robert McKee is an incarcerated member of the Freedom to Grow team. Despite spending thirteen years in a 6 by 9 cell, he has availed himself of every available learning and rehabilitative opportunity during his twenty- four years of incarceration. Robert came to prison with only a ninth grade education. While inside Robert has earned his Hi-set, two Bachelor Degrees, his Paralegal diploma, and Mentor Certification.

Robert grew up as a prodigy of the neighborhood leader of the Gangster Disciples when he was seven years old. He was encouraged to fight kids twice his size and taught how to shoplift, steal cars, burglarize houses and shoot pistols accurately by the age of nine. A few days after his ninth birthday, his mom had a psychotic break and couldn't do anything for herself. Fearing that he would end up in the "system" as so many of his friends had, he learned how to survive in the street. Robert has experienced homelessness and abandonment, yet he has persevered.

Robert joined Freedom To Grow because he identified with the core principles our organization stands for. Inside prison, Robert spends countless hours mentoring, ministering and representing his fellow Incarcerated brothers. As a Lead Mentor in the Reentry Court Program, or as a Offender Counsel Substitute in the Main Prison Law Library, he can be found fighting for change and justice. Robert believes as we do that men and women who are given an opportunity and the freedom to grow can achieve great things. He has witnessed men who have been transformed, using their talents, gifts and abilities to reach the youth both Inside and beyond the walls of Incarceration.

Through our collaborative efforts at Freedom To Grow, Robert functions as the Resurrection Archive Coordinator who provides much needed historical, legislative, and biographical data to the organization. He spends countless hours doing research, information gathering and conducting interviews that provide much needed background. and insight in the history of resistance at the Louisiana State Penitentiary.