Eric D. Garner—affectionately known as The Artist—is a living, breathing example of what it means to rise from the ashes and turn pain into purpose. As a celebrated author, award-winning visual artist, powerful speaker, and filmmaker, Garner doesn’t just share stories—he shares soul. His life is a testimony of redemption, resilience, and the unstoppable force of purpose when it’s aligned with faith.

Born in Clarksdale, Mississippi and raised in the gritty Haughville projects of Indianapolis, Indiana, Eric grew up in the shadows of poverty, dysfunction, and survival. His home life was anything but ideal, and with few positive influences and even fewer opportunities, the streets became his classroom. Like many young men in underserved communities, he was drawn into a lifestyle of illegal activity—one that ultimately led to his incarceration for several years.

But prison wasn't his end—it was his awakening.

Behind those bars, Eric found something more powerful than the streets: himself. He rediscovered the God-given gifts of creativity, storytelling, and vision that had always lived within him. From the cellblock to the canvas, from cold concrete to heartfelt conviction, Eric D. Garner made a vow—to never return to the life that broke him, and to dedicate the rest of his life to building others up.

And that’s exactly what he’s done.

Since his release, Garner has become a passionate voice for the voiceless, using his past as a platform for healing, empowerment, and inspiration. His acclaimed books—based on true stories from his life and those he has encountered—shed light on hard truths while offering hope, direction, and solutions. With unflinching honesty and emotional depth, Eric writes about trauma, crime, identity, transformation, and the long road to healing. His work is a mirror for those lost in the system and a map for those looking to find their way out. Yet, within every painful page lies a powerful message: You are not what you've been through. You are what you rise from. His words are not just read—they are felt, lived, and remembered.

As a speaker, Eric commands the room with a rare authenticity. He doesn’t sugarcoat the struggle—he speaks from it. From high school classrooms to correctional facilities, from churches to community events, his voice resonates with power and purpose. He talks about the pain of poverty, the traps of street life, and the possibility of turning your story around, no matter how far gone you think you are.

As an artist, Eric has won multiple “Artist of the Year” honors, built a successful portrait business, and captured the attention of celebrities with his gift. But no matter how high he rises, he never forgets where he came from.

He actively gives back—volunteering at homeless shelters, mentoring youth, and supporting causes that serve the underserved. For Eric, this is more than community service; it’s soul work. It’s his way of planting seeds of hope where despair once lived.

Eric D. Garner is proof that your past does not define your destiny. He’s proof that broken pieces can be made into masterpieces. He’s proof that even in the darkest chapters of life, there is a plot twist waiting to happen—and a purpose waiting to be fulfilled.

From prison to purpose. From pain to platform. From the streets to the stage—Eric D. Garner is not just telling stories. He’s changing lives.