Today we’d like to introduce you to Craig Whilby.
Hi Craig, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey started in the city of Detroit being born in Dec. 1969. As a child I always had an enthusiasm for running my own business. Starting at the age of (10) selling worms by the dozen to fishermen who had to travel down my street to get to the Detroit River. By the age of 13-14 I was helping my father run his landscaping and construction business. Mott Construction.
Through mixed emotions and not having the vision of respecting life, I ended up being caught up in a felony murder plot in 1987 at the age of (17) seventeen. Being tried and convicted as a juvenile and given a natural life sentence for aiding and abetting, in 1988. After a change in the laws I was given a second chance.
I started my journey for my business (Freedom Express Transportation Services llc) in 2019 a week after coming home from my 31 1/2 years of incarceration. I am a former juvenile lifer. Through the help of my friend and mentor Derrick Campbell who also had a minority owned transportation company called BWB he showed me how to get started and set up. After working for him for two days he explained to me that I should start my own company instead of working for him. So with his watchful eye, that’s what I did.
Today I sit before you as a proud owner of a minority owned business that has helped me start two non-profits, FORC (friends of returning citizens) and RAKS (random acts of kindness). All three are tied into not only me learning more of what it takes to be a better human but also me giving back to the community and helping those who are justice impacted. My relationship with the late Father Norm Thomas helped me start FORC (friends of returning citizens) at Scared Heart Church. RAKS (random acts of kindness) was created in 2023 with the help of my friend Alicia Hatcher, whom gave us a starting point at the ( H.W.F) Haratio Williams foundation. That has ground to RAKS running a successful program called j.i.l.l. All while still maintaining my transportation company Freedom Express.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Because of the help of God placing good spiritual family members and friends in my path, my journey that I must say I am still on, has been seemingly enjoyable and fun. My motto has been to surround myself with smart people with positive energy. If you can do that then the journey becomes that much easier as you get older.
My biggest struggle has been learning the language of business, credit and debit. Trying to keep the bills paid all while learning the traditions of society all over again.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My transportation company Freefom Express does what they calll non emergency medical transportation. We transport citizens to their doctor appointments and therapy appointments from auto accidents. We specialize in the ability to pick you up and drop you off safely to any destination even to the airport for your timely flights. We are known for giving the elderly rides at a rate they can afford. We are proud of the fact that as a minority owned company we are viable to the community at large. We are set apart from others because we care about our passenger well being. Not just getting them their on time. We go out our way to make sure they feel safe and secure. Not to mention being affordable.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
God gets a lot of my credit for my success because without his guidance of placing the right people in my life then I wouldn’t be who I am today. I know it sounds cliches but had it not been for some of the beautiful hearted women in my life then I would have been left to die in prison. From my mother whom raised me never to give up; to my sister who made sure my name was still alive out here daily; to my prayerful cousin who made sure God kept me safe. There are so many others to name but most helped me grow and kept me from a negative thought pattern while also helped me learn.
Pricing:
- Prices varies for each job. Pricing also varies from distance of the pick up to the drop off point.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.raks1.org/
- Other: [email protected]
