Steve Fleischmann, founder/chair of investment firm Fleischmann Capital, first came in contact with former prison inmates working in his dad’s office equipment store where former convicts were employed fixing typewriters. While successful in business, his intimate knowledge of former inmates became a calling that led him to a full volunteer position at the Monroe Reformatory. His mission there was asking men who were serving life sentences to help other inmates prepare for freedom. He met Eugene Youngblood who had been convicted of a serious crime at age 18, receiving a 65-year prison sentence.
“I cared about talking to inmates and learned how they wanted to be heard and listened to, and I learned about some incredible human beings – including Eugene Youngblood,” he said. “Eugene had distinguished himself while in prison as a mentor and counselor. I wanted to become a part of Eugene’s team to be freed from prison that was held up following a clemency hearing.” said Steve Fleischmann.
Eugene then came to the podium to tell his side of the story. He first recognized Steve for his selflessness and how he had supported his path to freedom. He described how one mistake can taint a person’s life forever. “The truth of who you are is how you show up consistently,” he said, “as I began a transformative mission in prison to help change the lives of other inmates. We are all better than the worst thing we’ve done” as he described how he moved forward with his life while incarcerated.
He was born in 1973 and raised in 1980’s Los Angeles where gangs ruled. His mother was in prison, so Eugene was raised by his grandmother until ten years of age when she died. Her death ended Eugene’s visits with his mother in prison; moving Eugene into gang life.
In the 1990’s Eugene got arrested at 18 years of age and sent to prison for 65 years, with guys twice his age; and leaving two daughters behind with his ex-wife. He survived in “this new world” by opting for vice over virtue. Fighting in prison resulted in a turn or two in isolation, where on one occasion he missed a visit with his two daughters. Finally, released to the general population and returning to visitation rights, his daughters visited him. “She asked me ‘why are you in fighting and getting in trouble while you are in prison?’ and that was a moment of clarity and transformation,” he said. Although he remained a prison gang member, his focus turned to encourage other inmates to pursue their GED, get into vocational education, and avoid conflicts. He became a mentor, teacher advocate and helped other inmates get their education -- living life in a way where there’s hope.
“I lived my life that way for many years as a prisoner when someone suggested I apply for clemency,” he said. “By 2017 we got through the process and had the hearing where the three judges said I was freed – but I wasn’t”
By 2019 the Governor still had to sign off that normally takes three months. His family was coming together outside prison walls. It took 18 months for the Governor to sign off. The ordeal continued when Eugene was diagnosed with COVID and sent to an isolation room for 21 days of treatment.
He finally left prison to find his daughters and enjoy some quality time with them. He joined the Freedom Project as a care coordinator providing wrap-around services to help people get on their feet. “I am now able to do outside what I did inside prison,” he said. Who you are is how you behave consistently?
The day’s short program reminded us of Seattle Fleet Week and how COVID restrictions have reduced it to a ‘hybrid’. For the 75th Anniversary of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Mark Wright interviewed two former Blue Angels pilots for a lively Q&A. The Blue Angels season ends in November, with about one-third of the team rotating off. The team exercise for ten weeks in advance of thirty-two shows and work three hundres days each year with a break every eight weeks. Wingtip to wingtip is about 18 inches apart and can be as little as two inches apart. Perseverance and mental preparation are key for a Blue Angels pilot. The Seafair hybrid will be featured on KONG TV, Saturday, August 7, at 8 p.m. The Boeing Air Show and Blue Angels will return to Seafair in 2022, August 5-7.
