Your Mentality
Equals
Your Reality

ABOUT

About

Chris Young is a visionary public speaker, author, and entrepreneur, whose life's work addresses the intersection of poverty, policy, and technology. He is currently pursuing a degree in public policy with a minor in economics at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

Chris’s heartfelt journey is one marked by profound struggle and transcendent resilience. Growing up with a mother battling addiction, Chris and his older brother had to navigate the harsh realities of poverty, Black masculinity, and the relentless grind of survival. His arrest at age 22 on federal drug charges led to a life sentence—a moment that crystallized Chris’ belief that volition is humanity’s greatest gift and its heaviest burden. He coined the phrase “Your mentality equals your reality,” to emphasize the profound impact of our choices on our destinies and the world around us. Chris emphasizes the importance of a positive mindset and the continuous pursuit of personal growth.

Chris spent over a decade in prison, where he transformed his personal experiences into a powerful narrative of resilience and triumph. His first-hand experiences led him to create Like YOU!, an empowerment app designed to mitigate the isolating effects of trauma and promote positive mental health.

Chris’s remarkable journey has garnered national attention, with his story featured on major platforms such as CNN, PBS, CBS, and Rolling Stone. He has served as a Senior Fellow at the Buried Alive Project and was a UXR Lab Fellow and Affiliate of Columbia University’s Safe Lab, where he contributed to groundbreaking research and initiatives driving impactful change.

Currently, Chris is working on his memoir, set to be published in 2025 by Little Brown.