My name is Changpeng Zhao, commonly known as "CZ," and I'm the founder of Binance. I'm honored to contribute this Forward to Michael Santos's books and courses because I strongly believe in his mission. The work Michael and his nonprofit, Prison Professors Charitable, are doing to improve outcomes for people affected by the criminal justice system is crucial–not only in the United States but across the globe.

I first connected with Michael during a challenging time, when I faced the prospect of serving a prison sentence in the U.S. Like many, I had already hired several lawyers and consultants, but I couldn't rely on the advice I received, which was sometimes wrong.

When a mutual acquaintance introduced me to Michael and his partner, I didn't expect much, given my previous experiences. From our first call, it became clear that Michael would take a different approach. As head of Prison Professors, he pledged to always be truthful and straightforward. I sensed an integrity in him, and I invited him to join my team for daily calls.

After reading his book Earning Freedom: Conquering a 45-Year Prison Term and having several discussions, I grew to admire the path Michael had forged. We met a few times in person before I surrendered to serve my four-month sentence for further discussions. When we met, I told him that he reminded me of being a true version of The Shawshank Redemption.

Despite serving 26 years in federal prison, he didn't complain. Instead, he not only rebuilt his life but also achieved financial success independently. When we met, he said that had made a transition, devoting the remainder of his career and resources to a cause bigger than himself–helping others navigate the criminal justice system and create better futures, regardless of anyone's ability to pay.

I've always believed that passion and purpose rather than pursuit of profits drove the most impactful projects. That's exactly what I found in Michael. I saw his commitment to helping others with personal empowerment, overcoming crisis, and prison reform as being genuine. Since he personally funded the initiative, he clearly wasn't working for money, but to make a meaningful impact on the lives of millions, striving to make a difference in a broken system.

Before my own prison term, Michael helped me prepare. While others offered advice that ultimately proved ineffective, Michael's guidance, rooted in decades of personal experience, was invaluable. He didn't promise miracles, but he offered practical strategies to overcome the challenges I would face–and they worked.

Throughout my sentence, Michael remained in constant contact, providing support that helped me adjust more easily. When obstacles or problems surfaced, he worked with members of our legal team to navigate the challenges. Thanks to his partnerships with organizations like the Aleph Institute, I was able to spend part of my time in the community, despite assurances from other so-called experts who insisted that I'd have to serve my entire sentence inside prison boundaries.

During my time in the community, I volunteered with his nonprofit. While I served my sentence, and after I got out, I saw firsthand the impact Prison Professors had on incarcerated individuals and their family members, offering them hope and a pathway to success when the system offered little.

Michael has become not only a trusted friend but also a dedicated advocate for meaningful change. I'm proud to endorse his work and support Prison Professors Charitable as they work to improve outcomes for people in prison and reshape the way society views incarceration.

I encourage like-minded individuals who want to make an impact on the lives of millions to join these efforts, even if the contribution is as small as ordering the self-directed books and courses that Amazon will send to indigent people in prison.

The Prison Professors Charitable Corporation receives 100% of all proceeds from book sales to support the mission.

For more information on the books and cause, visit PrisonProfessors.org/Books

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