In this episode, “I Got Your Back”, Reggie share his life story in a very unique way, from being called a “mistake” to being one of the most sought after school assembly speakers in the world. Born to an unwed teenager, Reggie Dabbs considers himself fortunate to be alive. With no place to go, the pregnant teenager ended up living in a chicken coop in Tennessee. It was there she remembered a former school teacher, Mrs. Dabbs, who had said to her students, “If you ever need anything, call me,” and gave the students her home phone number. The girl called. Mrs. Dabbs and her husband, whose six children were adults by this time, took the girl into their home and cared for her until after the baby was born. They continued to care for little Reggie as foster parents until he was in the fourth grade, and then they officially adopted him and gave him the Dabbs name. As the Dabbs’ reared Reggie, they instilled in him strong moral values, for which he is genuinely grateful. They also ingrained in him the fact that in every situation he faced, he had a choice. What he did with those choices was entirely up to him. In the sixth grade, Reggie began playing the saxophone and hated it. At the insistence of his parents he continued to practice and to play. Not until his freshman year in college did he actually enjoy the instrument, and today, he plays with fervor and expertise. After graduating from college, Reggie began his public speaking. During one speaking engagement, his host asked if he would be interested in addressing a high school assembly. From that small beginning in 1987, Reggie has become a popular public school speaker. When addressing a school assembly, Reggie talks to the kids in a humorous style about choices each of them has when faced with drugs, alcohol, suicide, etc. Reggie gets in kids faces and tells them that he never smoked a cigarette, never did drugs, never drank alcohol, because he chose not to. He assures them that they can make the same kinds of choices. Reggie talks to kids about family and how thankful they should be that they have families. Most of all, Reggie drives home the fact that “You can never change your past, but you can change your future!” From being a “Problem” to an unwed teenager, Reggie is fast becoming one of the most in-demand speakers who helps teenagers meet their problems head-on and overcome them. Reggie has been invited to speak to our military, including the Navy Seals, professional sports teams, and more. We laugh (hard), Reggie inspires, he plays his saxophone, and shares a message of hope to everyone, inside of prison, and out. Watch this clip, then head over to our YouTube channel to hear the full story and listen to some of his inspirational music. Thank you Reggie, for sitting down with us and sharing your story with our audience. Thank you to his wife, Michelle, for hanging out with us (off screen) and rolling your eyes at our jokes. You don’t want to miss this episode. You will want to share it with someone. To partner with us please click here: https://www.forgivenfelons.org/support Forgiven Felons and Background Check Merchandise https://www.forgivenfelons.org/shop Are you in the market, or are wondering if you’re in a good position to buy a home, first time buyer, or refinance your current home? Jessamy Gumm, with Cross Country Mortgage can help. 972-897-5476 to get your journey started. Or email her at Jessamy.gumm@ccm.com Your background shouldn’t HOLD you back, it should PAY you back. Reggie's soundtrack credits: Bruno Mars- "Just the Way You Are" Easy Karaoke Players Version Shawn Mendes- "If I Can't Have You" Sing King Karaoke Version Marc Anthony- "Vivir Mi Vida" Agrupacion LatinHits Karaoke Version DJ Snake, ft Justin Bieber- "Let Me Love You" Karaoke Famous Version Rascall Flatts- "Bless the Broken Road" Karaoke Version Karafun
