Carlos Parks was born in Goldsboro NC, but raised in Lynchburg Va. Carlos fell in love with speaking after becoming a member of the ‘’ Fresh Start “Toastmasters group of Pollock La. Carlos was incarcerated at the time and saw speaking as a way of escaping his circumstances and telling his story. After his release in 2015, Carlos went on to accomplish many things. Carlos was released from probation 1.5 years early and continued to work with his probation officer through counseling and mentoring guys re-entering society. 8 years after his release from prison, Carlos became one of the board members on the board of his former probation officer's non-profit organization. Carlos went on to launch his own nonprofit organization and sits on the board of a few as well. Carlos began speaking to returning citizens in NC and eventually worked his way into the NC and SC prison systems. Carlos has given speeches to hundreds of people since then. He has been on radio shows and interviewed on several blogs. In 2020 Carlos was invited to speak by TEDx Greensboro. Carlos is an accomplished artist and licensed NC realtor. He owns a real estate brokerage, Versatile Real Estate Group in Jamestown at 804-B W. Main St. He is the director of communications for Fifth Sun TV, he is the producer and director of a documentary on homelessness in America. He is a board member of The Happy Hill Neighborhood Association, in Winston Salem, NC, he is a board member of Twin City Housing Collective in Winston Salem, NC. Carlos is an adjunct professor of Re-entry at Orange County Corrections, through the HRD program at Durham Tech. Carlos is a published author and his book is called, " From Selling Bricks, to Selling Bricks".  Carlos resides in Jamestown NC with his beautiful wife Demetria and their two children, Carlia and Carlos III (Tre). Carlos is the grandfather of 6 and a foster parent to one. Carlos is currently looking for more ways to serve his community.