Love This! Jelly Roll to Perform at Michigan County Jail
Here's an uplifting story to share.
You know Jelly Roll, right? He was well known in the rap community before finding new success in country music starting in 2022. The Country Music Association (CMA) recently awarded him as its "New Artist of the Year".
SEE ALSO: Jelly Roll's CMA New Artist of the Year Speech Moved Us
Life hasn't always been easy for the Nashville native.
By his teens, Jelly Roll (real name Jason DeFord) had run into trouble with the law countless times. He dropped out of high school, and struggled with drugs and alcohol for many years.
Recently, however, Jelly Roll been moved to turn his life around and work to inspire others with similar backgrounds.
He's even been known to visit local jails to spread his words of inspiration.
Jelly Roll is Coming to Michigan
Christopher Swanson, the sheriff of Genesee County in Flint, Michigan, is one of those who finds inspiration in Jelly Roll's story as well.
It aligns well with the mission of the Genesee County Jail's I.G.N.I.T.E. program, which is "to reverse the cycle of generational incarceration through education". The program has produced more than 60 GED graduates in the jail since its inception.
When Jelly Roll earned his GED in 2007, there was no pomp and circumstance. There was no celebration.
The effervescent Swanson wanted to fix that.
He invited Jelly Roll to take part in a commencement ceremony at the Genesee County Jail and be celebrated. Swanson also invited the rising country star to bring his guitar and perform as part of the celebration.
Jelly Roll was sentimental about the invitation, and graciously accepted. He'll be visiting Flint around the same time as he's due in Detroit for a concert this December.
Watch all the heartwarming details here:
10 Things You Didn't Know About Jelly Roll
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes