Delmar has been on both sides of the fence. He is a ex-offender turned college graduate. He knows first hand how to overcome adversity and barriers. He and his siblings grew up in poverty in a crime infested neighborhood that idolized the hood mentality, criminality, and a culture of generational poverty. With his mom heavily hooked on drugs and his dad absent, Delmar grew up without supervision, authority figures, or role models and as a result he quickly developed life skills and a mindset that was tied to hood culture. He admits that his early life experiences or lack of, lead to negativity, flawed thinking, and a distorted reality. Set on the wrong path early on in life subsequently lead Delmar to commit a crime as a young adult that resulted in a 4 year prison sentence. Delmar served 21 months on his four year sentence but it was during that time that he realized the world isn't and doesn't operate in the manner in which he was raised, conditioned, and socialized to believe. Delmar made a very conscious and bold decision to turn his life around. During his stint he realized just how mentally weak, chained, and unstable he actually was. He made a promise to himself to break his previous conditioning and to break his mental chain. He made a promise to better himself by developing life skills and a skill set that produces positive outcomes. After he returned home he went on to earn his B.A. in Psychology from Kent State University. He also did an Internship with the Urban League's Transitions Program. It was there that he decided he wanted a career in social services. He realized his story is worth telling because it could potentially help somebody break their mental chain and escape their situation. Delmar's life's experiences, education, and desire to share information convinced him that he should write a book which he is currently working on.
Delmar Hardin is a excellent speaker who is focused on educating the public on the realities and hardships that everyday people dealing with poverty and race go through. He wants people to unlock and reach their true hidden potential regardless of their circumstances and environment. He is a motivational speaker and lecturer on topics involving the criminal justice system, collateral consequences, reentry for ex-offenders, drug abuse and addiction, community participation and empowerment, keys to success, poverty, dealing with adversity, and reinventing yourself. He has spoken at correctional institutions, jails, community centers, high schools, and various events. He has made it his mission to use his life's experiences to motivate, inspire, and inform others. Especially those from underprivileged and underrepresented communities.
Delmar believes that it's not about where you start but where you finish.