The Rise, The Fall, The Purpose - Pena The Mentor

Описание: Pena The Mentor formerly known in the streets as “Gucci” shares a powerful story of transformation from the uPatterson Projects in the South Bronx to federal prison, and ultimately to mentorship and purpose.

Raised by a single mother who supported three boys on her own, Pena’s early life was shaped by survival. After going from juvenile detention to serving 3½ years in state prison, he came home and quickly immersed himself in street life. From 2015 to 2018, he was living a flamboyant lifestyle luxury penthouses overlooking the New York City skyline, Porsche 911 GT3 RS’s, expensive jewelry, and deep ties in the reggaeton music industry.

He built his own record label, signed artist Lemagic, and secured features with major names like Zion & Lennox and Ozuna. At one point, he was closely connected to influential figures in Puerto Rico’s music and street circles. But the lifestyle came with consequences leading to an 11½-year federal sentence.

While incarcerated, Pena experienced one of the most painful moments of his life losing his mother to cancer just months before his release.

Today, he no longer goes by “Gucci.” He goes by Jose or Pena The Mentor. He now dedicates his life to youth mentorship, offering guidance through social media, launching free six-week audio engineering and photography programs for young people, working at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and giving back to the community through faith and service.

This episode of Dog In The Yard is about identity, loss, redemption, and redefining purpose after prison.