The Full Story

Dontay 'Big Durk' Banks

An evolved man with a new name, returned to society restored — and on a mission.

The Return

The road to redemption is the road less traveled.

By the grace and mercy of Allah, after serving 26 years of a life sentence, Big Durk made his re-entry into society on July 19, 2019.

Though that road proves impossible for most, it proved different for him. An evolved man with a new name — Abdul Haqq — returned a restored man. But first, he had to forgive himself for the harm he'd added to his own community: the infamous Englewood, on the South Side of Chicago.

From that reckoning came a decision that would define the rest of his life: to commit himself fully to uplifting and inspiring the youth — using himself as the example of what not to become.

The Beginning

Born into responsibility.

Born Dontay Banks, the fourth of ten children, he grew up fast. With his three older brothers in prison, the weight of caring for his family often fell on his shoulders — including looking after his mother, who struggled with addiction.

That addiction would eventually lead to the family being evicted from their home. It was a day that changed his life forever, and set him on a path he'd spend decades finding his way back from.

"Don't be a product of your environment."

Even after his arrest in 1993, even facing a life sentence handed down for refusing to inform on others, he never let go of one title he wore above all the rest: father. He split every phone call he was allowed between his children, determined to be present from behind the wall.

The Mission

From "OG" to mentor.

Today, Abdul Haqq serves as a mentor to at-risk youth, using his life story and his history with gang culture to relate to the young men he meets. Having been well-known in the streets, these young men consider him an "OG" — a title that carries deep respect, and one that gives him a reach no traditional program can match.

His sense of humor and unique storytelling ability capture an audience from the moment he steps on stage until his final words of truth and encouragement. His talks are interactive, ultra-high energy, and packed with life-changing ideas.

He turns the hardest chapters of his life into something that moves people to make a positive change in their own — and that's a message no one can deliver quite like he can.

In His Own Light