Breaking the Cycle: A Collection of Creative Works

Breaking the Cycle is a series of fictional poems and short stories derived from true accounts of tragedy, loss and pain combined with stories of finding inner strength and conquering adversity. Breaking the Cycle graphically addresses issues of abuse, substance abuse, heart break, death and conversely love, hope, strength, spiritual and emotional growth. Breaking the Cycle will give perspective to individuals who do not understand the plight of people growing up in impoverished communities and will give a constructive voice to those who identify but do not have an outlet to express their story. All of this in hopes of one day completely Breaking the Cycle of poverty.

Tony Wilson was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. From a young age he has been passionate for combating issues surrounding social injustice. Upon graduating from Hamline University, located in St. Paul, Minnesota, with a Bachelor's degree in sociology, he made it his life's mission to continuing the fight to eradicate social inequality. Beginning six months after Hurricane Katrina devastated much of the Gulf Coast region; he became a dedicated volunteer for the recovery efforts. He has done everything from gutting and rebuilding houses, to running service learning educational camps. This work further fueled his passion towards impacting social change. As of 2008, he has found his permanent home in New Orleans, LA, now dedicating his life full-time to the recovery and revitalization of the New Orleans area. For four years, he has served as creative director for multiple youth driven initiatives that work to inspire change, and equip students with knowledge of how to achieve success through education and engaged community action.