That personal understanding informs his community and political work. Dixon states his life experiences including his upbringing in Chicago, his addictions, his job history, and his family problems, gave him a firsthand understanding of the needs and hopes of people struggling in our society. He explains that during this time, his faith was decisive for his transformation and sense of purpose. Dixon remembers the events that landed him in prison for three years and describes his life in jail, prison, and the pre-release center. Soon after, he had an accident that left him with a broken leg and twenty thousand dollars in medical debt. Dixon recounts his life in Charleston after his military discharge. Date: Description: In this interview, Thomas A.