In this compelling episode of “Thanx4askin”, the crew sit down with JB, a man whose life story is a testament to resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship. As a foster child, JB endured abuse from those entrusted to care for him, leading him down a difficult path filled with crime and struggles. Yet, despite these challenges, JB has found a way to thrive.
Placed in foster care at the tender age of two due to neglect from his biological parents—his mother battling crack addiction and his father involved in pimping—JB and his two younger half-brothers faced a turbulent upbringing. The trio moved through five different foster homes, each time being removed due to physical abuse. Throughout these traumatic experiences, JB took on the role of protector for his brothers, ensuring they remained together during their tumultuous journey.
JB’s childhood was marred by severe physical abuse. One harrowing incident occurred when he was just three or four years old; a foster mother inflicted serious injuries by slamming his head against a dumpster. In another home in the Bronx, he faced a brutal beating with an umbrella, all for simply asking for food on behalf of his brother. The trauma was so profound that the brothers often huddled together for comfort, seeking solace despite having their own beds.
JB attended several schools, including ISA 48 and Russell Sage in Forest Hills. At Russell Sage, he became embroiled in racial conflicts between Black and white (Russian) students, forging a friendship with a gang-affiliated peer. Although he wasn’t a gang member, his association led him into a world of crime, and by age 15, he was involved in burglaries.
His criminal activities caught up with him when he was arrested for burglary at 15 after inadvertently leaving his ID at the crime scene. This led to a year and a half in Rikers Island’s C74 adolescent unit, where he suffered severe abuse, including physical assaults by a corrections officer who encouraged other inmates to attack him.
Eventually, JB was adopted by an interracial couple—his father being Jewish and his mother Black. However, after his release from Rikers, he faced yet another rejection when his adoptive family kicked him out at 17, leaving him to navigate life alone once more.
JB’s story reveals a painful pattern of institutional failure and abuse, from the foster care system to the criminal justice system. Yet through it all, he continues to fight for a better future, inspiring others with his journey of survival and resilience.
