When Prophet Walker was an infant, his birth mother succumbed to a he**in addiction, and at the age of seven, he went to live with his father in South Central Los Angeles. He was on the verge of becoming another sad but predictable statistic. While in prison, Prophet said to himself, “I am not a criminal. This is not going to be my life.” And against all odds, vowed to turn his life around. From t
hat point forward, Prophet began a remarkable journey as a leader, role model, and community activist. While still in prison, he helped start a program that gives incarcerated youths the ability to earn a two-year college degree, and became the program’s first graduate. To date, more than 100 of its graduates have left jail and enrolled in four-year college programs – including Prophet, who attended Loyola Marymount University. But Prophet’s commitment to serving his community extends far beyond that. He co-founded the “Watts United Weekend,” which brings together young residents of local public housing projects before they turn into gang rivals. He serves on the Board of Directors of InsideOUT Writers, which works with juvenile offenders, teaching them to express their emotions through writing. He is a founding member of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, which advocates for prison and sentencing reform and helps young people get a fresh start after incarceration. And, he was recently appointed to the Board of Kids Progress Inc. (KPI), which supports at-risk young people living in and around public housing projects in Los Angeles. Prophet’s leadership and commitment have earned admiration from hundreds of people from all walks of life, including the young people he has supported, education and foundation leaders, and even his former prison guards and probation officer. Prophet is currently a Project Engineer for Morley Builders, one of the largest construction companies in Southern California. Previously, he served as a Project Engineer for Nautilus Group Inc., a development and construction firm. While at Nautilus, Prophet helped lead implementation of the first fully robotic parking structure in the United States. Driven by his personal experience, Prophet’s goal is to serve as an advocate for children, and living proof that every young person can be a productive member of society. In the Assembly, he will focus on economic development, improving public schools, and reforming our juvenile justice system so that it rehabilitates our kids instead of giving up on them. Prophet’s commitment to children stems directly from his unwavering love for his eight-year-old daughter, Priya. “My Princess is my inspiration, and a constant reminder that every child is precious. Her love is etched in my heart.”
