Having entered the correctional system as a young twenty-one year old in 1976, Lamonta McBroom happily reunited with his family on May 19, 2009. It has been a long, long road that Lamonta has traveled, one in which he has made the very best of his opportunities by never giving up the fight to gain his freedom.
As a pillar in the San Quentin Law Library since 1999 (para-legal for more than 29 years), Lamonta openly and willingly shared his knowledge with anyone, especially towards those willing to better help themselves. As all have witnessed, one of the many positive attributes he has consistently shown is that he would stop whatever he was doing to share his knowledge and time to help others.
The S.Q.U.I.R.E.S. program has been an invaluable resource at San Quentin that has helped ‘kids at risk’ for generations. One of several mainstay stops that these kids were priviledged to experience has been Lamonta’s intense and in depth speeches on Saturday mornings. These speeches emphasized the trials and tribulations of prison life, making the right choices and looking at the consequences of their actions. Rare is the kid that was not wide-eyed and unattentive to what Lamonta was saying to them. As a native from North Carolina, Lamonta would generally talk about the definition, history and legal recognition of slavery today in the United States, incarceration and self: “Slavery in America [today] is no longer within the province of the private slave owner … Consider your next action, consider your choices and consider whether your slavery is by your choosing and is it slavery that you intend for yourself.”
In overcoming self-slavery, Lamonta says, “If it wasn’t for education, I would have been locked into 1976. I stayed focused on the path to grow and better myself and took advantage of every opportunity. I made the best of my time.” To name a few, he gives praise and tribute to Patten University for accomplishing his goal of a college degree, Victim Offender Education Group (V.O.E.G.) and Katargeo for channeling his energy in the best and most healthy means possible. In receiving so much, Lamonta will continue to give back and help serve others. His offering of sage advice: “Don’t give up the fight! Don’t be compacent! Be proactive, help others when you can and get an education!”
Our friend offers his sincere appreciation and gratitude towards all of the people who he has come into contact with, most especially to his wife, Leager, who has been his rock. Lamonta, it is us who “Thank you!” for touching the hearts of all the people whom you have made an impact.
Lamonta, we will all miss your compassion, patience, and tolerance. We wish you the very best in your volunteer and research work, that your business venture will be as successful as your prior business, and that you will forever enjoy life to the fullest.