Larry Ali Hill
Unsung Hero
Nominated by: LaFonda McKinney
Minding My Business continues its 365 days of celebrating local Unsung Heroes and their impact on the community. We shine the light on Mr. Larry “Ali” Hill, who rose from the ashes of his youth to become the community advocate and change agent for those who would attempt to walk a mile in his shoes and offer them a different path.
Larry “Ali” Hill has dedicated his life to helping shape people and communities and created a unique approach to personal and leadership development, and community facilitation development. Born on August 24, 1978, Hill lived in New Jersey until he migrated to Atlanta Georgia in 1986. With the tragic death of his mother at the age of 11 years old, Ali had encountered some hardship, which caused his relocation back to New Jersey.
Throughout his teenage years, Ali had trouble with the law, which landed him in prison where he served 20 years. Nevertheless, Ali while incarcerated earned his high school diploma, attended college, and complete programs such as Anger Management, Recognition Therapy, and Moral Conduct. Hill is a progressive thinker that has served the Newark community as a motivational speaker to fellow inmates and the community.
Driven to become an advocate for change, Hill was eager to build positive alliances with those of like minds and passions to create platforms that engage trauma victims and offers tools to help affect change. Although the journey has not been easy, certainly the impact of positive change and reform has motivated Hill and his mentees to stay the course, build on his motivation, one person at a time. Hill’s program is designed to reduce recidivism for youth who are in and or released from the Juvenile Detention Department and or court appointed. By unmasking the plethora of needs in the homes of many juvenile offenders, it has been shown to be one of the most effective strategies in reducing recidivism among juveniles and focusing effectively on changing the behavior that drives the delinquency. The program offers mentoring, employment opportunities, life skills, securing identification, housing, therapy, and social services. This progressive program is grant funded under the Public Safety Department Budget of the City of Newark, New Jersey.
Hill believes that there’s never enough opportunity and resources available and committed to affect this by launching, the “Literally, No Days Off” movement. Larry “Ali” Hill will continue to blaze trails for the advancement, education, empowerment, and fostering a safe environment for the youth in the community. Literally, No Days off movement meets the community where they are and offers daily services needed to help improve the circumstances of the neighbors and build a healthier community. Hill is committed to leaving no family behind.
