by Nina Zhao
“It takes a community.”
Tyson has a lot to pass on to future generations who have been through what he’s been through. In my interview with him, Tyson Ferrara reflected on his upbringing, his experiences, and where he is now.
Early Days: Cycling in and out of Prison
Tyson got involved in the streets at a young age, and at 15, he received his first delivery charge. By 17, he was deeply involved in the streets, and the violence would frequently follow him home; pain, danger, and loss seemed to be constants in his life.
Over the next twenty years, he went in and out of prison, spending time in both state prison and federal prison. After being stabbed in federal prison at 21 and spending considerable amounts of time in segregation, by 35, he realized this lifestyle “was gonna be the death of me.” “The last jail bit I did,” from 32 to 37 years old, “was the first time I was able to think,” he said. He realized that he would have almost nothing – “no business, no house, no trust fund, and not even CDs” – to leave to his kids. He decided he wanted to change his trajectory. While he was incarcerated, he barely saw his kids. Now, he’s fighting the battle to earn back their trust and prove that he’s a changed person – not the guy who cycles in and out of jail.
Phoenix Project
While incarcerated, he earned some CCRI credits, and in 2019, he heard about the Phoenix Project. As the only program in the Rhode Island ACI that provides wrap-around services once individuals are released, the Phoenix Project has a lot of appeal for people who are returning to the community. Tyson felt that the program “separated the boys from the men” and liked the way it challenged and pushed its participants. In March of 2020, Tyson graduated from the Phoenix Project before going home in April as the COVID pandemic was setting in. He remarked that Kathy Carty was a key support for him; “she’s been with me for the past 4 years,” he said, and “she goes out of her way to help me with whatever I need.”
Staying Motivated
Now 41 years old, he’s been home for four years, and he works as an exhaust specialist. His life now looks extremely different from what it once looked like, and although it’s hard work, he stays motivated. He told me that he wants to “show my kids me getting out of the mud.” As an ex-gang member and ex-felon, “I’m stepping into a whole new world, and it’s intriguing and exciting, and I love to learn.” Regarding where he is now, he said, “I’m living in my transition right now.” He is motivated by a desire to take care of his kids financially and change his life to make his mother proud.
Tyson has a lot of self-awareness. “The key is understanding everything you’re doing.” He understands that certain actions can lead to others, and he pays attention to the choices he makes. The biggest piece of advice he would give to his younger self would be to “pour into people that are pouring into you.” Although he is fiercely loyal, Tyson has recognized over the years that he has the tendency to try to help everyone who needs help. “When someone else had a problem, I would take it as mine,” he realized. I asked if he has any message he wants to share with the world. He said “stay dangerous. But I don’t mean violence. I mean play defense.” In a “world where everyone’s trying to do everything, playing defense lets you see everything and keeps you prepared for anything,” he said. Since his son passed away at 19 years old in 2023, “I understand on a whole new level how someone from losing someone can pass from heartache. I was almost dead.” It had never been clearer that “life’s tricky. You gotta stay training mentally, physically, spiritually and financially.”
The Road Ahead
Tyson works extremely hard at his job as an exhaust specialist, and his current goals are to buy a house, bring his business (Mr. All Seasonal LLC) to the next level, and to continue improving his relationships with his children. “I understand what I want to do with my life. I have a plan for the next 20 years.” He hopes that by 45, his work can slow down a bit and he will have more time to work out and study. He looks forward to getting into gardening, photography, and exploring other interests. Another goal he has is to create a foundation for his late son Tyson Jr., who loved to learn about the stock market and trading.
Tyson has a strong sense of himself and his values. “What you see is what you get,” he said. Reflecting on how he’s changed throughout his life, he said, “I was not approachable in 2015. Now, I’m more open-minded. I’m more approachable.” He understands that he can be wrong sometimes, and “I’m not too gangster to apologize for something.” The way he interacts with others is different, too. “I know how to deal with people now. That was something I didn’t know how to do. I used to not care.” Tyson feels that he’s a natural leader, and “I was a big force in the streets, and I want to be a big force living right,” he said. He recognizes that his destructive attitude had a negative influence on others, and now, he wants to “show guys that you can change things and that there are bigger things out there.” Since coming home, he has worked with several non-profit organizations, and he is passionate about mentoring troubled teens and providing guidance to men in reentry. “There’s certain things to share with these guys to help them be successful. Guys think they’re just gonna go back out there, but they don’t think about it.”
Tyson was a pleasure to talk to, and he has a lot of wisdom about his past and present. Thank you for your time, Tyson!
A final message from Tyson:
“It takes a community, whether it be a conversation, a ride to an important appointment, or a lunch to make sure I ate. I would like to THANK these great people that poured into my transition. In many different ways, you all help me stick to the grind.
First I would like to thank My Mother, Children & Siblings for tolerating me and supporting me these past 26 years.
Dr. Shark (Kathy Carty) & Vantage Point, James Monteiro, Kobi Dennis, KenBlack, Tyeace, Reb & The Very Old Men, The Boss Lady, Renee Perry, Ms. Bonita & Patrice, Boo Hackney, David M., Rick off the hook, Gene my barber & The Projects, Evil twin & Arty art, My Girl Cuzents, Jeo, Eman, Victor.L, Rob McKenny, My Collect Call guys, All my Angels, And all my Employees & Clients at Mr All Seasonal LLC
Thank you all !”
