Born and raised in the segregated south back during the times when blacks weren't allowed to dream, or expect miracles to happen, Johnny Bodley as a result of some of the horrific, impoverished and poor conditions surrounding him back in the day, became a thug child. He spent many of his childhood days and years in the county jail in Selma, Alabama.

johnnybodley@yahoo.com
To schedule author JR Bodley to conduct a workshop or to present a inspirational presentation visit or contact him at www.findce.com for fee information, or email him at johnnybodley@yahoo.com or speak with him at 1-334-573-9798 and visit him at www.authorsden.com/eyes www.allreaders.com www.myspace.com/johnnybodley and leave a comment or message. A Yo! You are achieveing your dream right now. JB

For eleven years Johnny Bodley has been involved in the health field, especially HIV/AIDS. Currently he's with Whatley Health Services “HOPE Clinic” an AIDS outreach facility in West Alabama as an HIV prevention educator and outreach worker. For three years he was employed in Selma, Alabama at Selma AIR (AIDS Information and Referral) as an HIV prevention educator, and for three years he was with West Alabama AIDS Outreach (WAAO) in Tuscaloosa, Alabama as a prevention educator. In less than 12 years he has presented more than 12,000 presentations on HIV/AIDS, as well as his miraculous life change in 42 counties across Alabama, and the State of Mississippi to grades 4 through 12, 9 major Universities, including 5 Historically Black Colleges and Universities. He also speaks at jails and prisons where he taught an HIV/AIDS faith based prevention class weekly at the Bibb County Correctional Facility in Brent, Alabama for three years, as well as classes at the Perry County Correctional Center in Uniontown, Alabama. He also speaks at detention centers, boot camps, radio stations, television programs, including appearances on the Trinity Broadcast Network’s “Praise the Lord,” and the Kip Tyner show. A very well known German network have taken interest in his HIV/AIDS work with prisoners and have decided to portray his life and life’s work. Mr. Bodley also speaks at houses of worship across the state, and in 2004 served as an HIV/AIDS consultant to the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa with DR. Susan Gaskins PHD. Due to the many cards and letters that he receives from people, he believes that he’s reaching thousands, many of which are teenagers and small children. In 2004 he presented his HIV program to the entire Walker County school system and have been invited back every year since. His presentations are also being taught at schools in Lamar, Pickens, Perry, Hale and Fayette counties also. He is the only presenter in all of the classes. Because of his ongoing drive to be successful at all that he does he has achieved the titles of Author, Motivational Speaker, professional Musician, Singer/Songwriter, and Certified HIV/AIDS Prevention Specialist and Educator. He is a certified HIV Oral Sure screener also. He is certified by the American Red Cross in HIV/AIDS educationing and has devoted most of his time educating people on the dangers of HIV/AIDS. Because of his longevity in the field of health he has come to know quite a few people who are living with HIV/AIDS, and quite a few who are deceased. For fifteen years prior to returning to Selma, he was employed as a youth worker in the state of Massachusetts, at Project Concern a group home for troubled youth, and at Boston Secure Treatment Unit, a Department of Youth Service/Direct Care Secure Treatment Unit (lock up)where he was voted staff of the year often. At the tender age of six years old he was an inmate himself at the Dallas County Jail in Selma, Alabama his birthplace, because of his very bad behavior. At eleven he was placed in a foster home by the state for four years in the small town of Safford, Alabama. At fifteen he eventually ended up spending nearly two years at the reformatory school at Mount Meigs. Later, at age nineteen, he received a High school diploma while attending night school at Flagler Jr. College while an inmate at the Saint John’s county jail, in Saint Augustine Florida. He eventually graduated from the world famous John Robert Powers School of Modeling and Fashion design in Boston, Massachusetts. There he earned many honors and awards. These unusual experiences inspired him to write a book on his troubled childhood life. These Eyes: The Autobiography of A Once Notorious “Po’ Bad Boy” ISBN#1-59129-120-8. These Eyes take the reader on a journey back through time to when Johnny was a very troubled child growing up on Alabama’s segregated streets. It also brings to the forefront some of the extremely racist conditions and situations he had to deal with and accept during the civil rights struggles. He explains why for him the jaws of racism had a much more deadlier grip, and why Jim Crows’ wrath created a more racist and hostile environment than it did for some of the others who were involved in the movement. Simply because he was a very bad and most of the time incarcerated child. These Eyes is a “can change despite your past” book that every young person throughout the world should get the opportunity to read. It is also a “how–to” book with a “yes you can” attitude. It motivate readers to challenge themselves to overcome their adversities. It teaches that no matter how many curve balls life throws, if one keeps swinging in the right direction, never giving up, the home run ball is destined to come along. It encourages people and gives them hope. Mr. Bodleys main objective with his book is to change the lives of troubled youth, as well as encourage and uplift those who are poor. He strongly believe that by telling them his life story he will reach some troubled child or adult who are going down some of the same dangerous roads that he’s traveled. He believes that his HIV/AIDS ministry is truly a Godsend due to the fact that he never became infected with the virus himself, as bad as he was. His inspirational way of connecting and relating to youth while teaching them the facts about the virus, as well as many other life situations that are very high risk and dangerous is quite unique. His seminars are filled with true personal awareness stories and situations. Seeing people, many of whom were friends die from this devastating disease has made him a front line soldier for life in the war against AIDS. His goal is to defeat this monster with information, education, and dedication. He has vowed to try and save our youth especially. His promise is to always be at the forefront with a helping hand and a strong shoulder. That is his mission. His pledge is to always keep God first in his life, as well as staying dedicated to the struggle by spreading the word everywhere he goes. He is a very motivational and caring person and it shows in his style of delivering his message, which is compassionate, filled wit’ humor, friendly/spirited and touching, as well as challenging and uplifting. Mr. Bodley is the minister of music at several houses of worship, one of which is The Bethel Hill Baptist Church in McKinley, Alabama where he's been the minister of music for four years. “I really enjoy playing for Bethel Hill. They are real and like family,” he says, meaning the members. “I have never been associated with any other church where the members have actually made me a part of their family, they make me feel very appreciated, and I really appreciate that. I believe that God has placed me where I suppose to be.” On April 30th, 2007 Mr. Bodley was given a full pardon by the state of Alabama for all of the crimes he committed as a very troubled child and teenager.