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About this Book:

n the gangsta lifestyle, you end up one of three ways: JAIL CELLS, WHEELCHAIRS, or GRAVEYARDS. “It all depends on the choices we make.” In the late 70’s, he and his brother were growing up under the devoted teachings of a struggling, single mother in the hard and often racially-divided streets of Memphis’ North Side.Continued struggles, racist attitudes, disregard of a biased law system and those elected to enforce it made Ronald’s decision clear. Street philosophy worked; motherly fortitude didn’t.Ronald found new direction and status in the guise of a brotherhood called the Gangsta Disciples. On July 7,1985, a botched robbery attempt and two bullets would take away Ronald’s ability to walk.The police officer rode in the ambulance to the hospital with Ron and witnessed paramedics bring him back to life twice.It force him into an unshakeable bond with the embodiment of all he had come to hate, a white police officer named Steve Grisham.Finally, with a hounding police lieutenant bent on friendship, Ronald found a new life, and a new mission: to help those dying in the urban nightmare find life in faith. “From A Gang To God” is one man’s journey from self-destruction to destiny.

About the Author:

In 2000, Ron formed P.I.A.N.O. Inc. Partners in Alliance Needing Others, a mentoring program to help single mothers with their sons. He mentors them, helps with homework, takes them to church, and teaches them about the consequences of their choices i.e. using drugs, teen violence, gang activity, and the lack of an education. During his twenty four years of being confined to a wheelchair, Ron has been shot on five different occasions. He has also broken his left ankle, left hand, right leg, and dislocated his right hip. Ron has had twenty-four operations,was thrown from a car going 45 mph (flying three feet in the air,landing on his back).Ron is the recipient of numerous awards – The prestigious Nobel Prize called The Jefferson Award created by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, former Senator Robert Taft, Jr., and Sam Beard of the Commercial Appeal (April 14, 2005

Book Review:

Commercial Appeal : The fighting attracted media attention . The peace rally , titled “Stop the Violence , Increase the Peace,” brought community leaders ,police officers, and a sheriff’s deputy to address several dozen students assembled in the gym. Ladies Club members, wearing pink shirts and Khaki pants, served popcorn and other snacks on the side lines as parents, staff and students –including the school’s entire football team –listened intently. Ronald Baldridge a former drug dealer who now runs a non-profit agency for at risk black boys, shared his story with the students and urged them not to make the samemistakes he did. Baldridge has been confined to a wheelchair since he was shot in the spine during a robbery he and a friend committed 22 years ago. “Life is about choices”, he told students. “Figure out what you want to do with your life and start making those choices now” Sophomore Anita Bateman said she found the program uplifting. Kayla Stegall, also a 10thgrader, said she hoped her fellow students took heed of the lessons offered by the speakers.“I thought (Baldridge) inspired us the most “,she said .He gave us a story we can connect with.

Order/Contact Info:

P.I.A.N.O. Inc. (partners in alliance needing others)PO BOX 613439 Memphis, Tenn. 38101 Office: 901. 649.8585

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