Often in life when one encounters life’s most difficult circumstances something magical happens.
Local resident Don Clemont is a prime example of such adversity.
Clement, 43, is one of the regions rising stars in the entertainment industry as a paid for hire disc jockey.
However, it wasn’t until Clement lost his freedom before he realized his passion for what ultimately transformed his life.
Straddled with an extensive rap sheet and a drug addiction to boot, he faced the odds of many Black men in our society.
Subsequently, Clement served more than six years in prison, until finally the light came on that it was up to him to do something different with his life.
So, as he explains it he bowed down to a merciful God in prison and awakened with a new perspective.
Recognized throughout the Southland as the Wizard for his mobile entertainment company that organizes and produces events that require a disc jockey with all of its bells and whistles.
“As life long resident of Los Angeles, I’ve had my share of up’s and downs, good luck and bad luck, dreams and nightmares. I do not live with a squeaky clean past or posses a halo above my head,” said Clement.
However, he added; “I do have a testimony and know that God is good and I mean good all the time. I was afforded a second chance at life to become a productive member of society and an attraction to people from my neighborhood. I now enjoy life as best I can with what I have as a free man.”
Currently, the native of New Orleans is CEO of Wizard Entertainment, which employs recovering drug addicts and host events for them.
Clement is also a reformed gang member who admits he participated in the crack epidemic of the 80’s and 90’s.
That experience landed him in places like Susanville State Prison, but he survived racial wars, gang warfare, and was closer to death than he ever imagined.
Through it all he vowed to never return to the abyss.
When Clement was freed in 2000, his release lasted just 45 days before he violated his parole with yet another shortcoming that landed him back in jail.
Glancing through the rear window of the police cruiser that last time was all Clement needed to begin focusing forward.
Upon his release from the violation charge, he had to do something different if he were to survive.
Clément’s job now is to provide an environment for others to enjoy.
With sophisticated equipment that includes JBL arc series Pioneers, CDC swords, Serato mixer 62 and Crown High Tech Amps he adds an element to the weekends for a bevy of partygoers.
Clement learned his craft in prison classes and reading many books about computers.
His life is a burden of proof of what one can achieve by shedding his dark past and allowing a bright future to unfold when crime and drugs are eliminated.
Ronald “Kartoon” Antwine Contributed to this story
