From gang-banger to minister: Darrin ?Slugger Roo' Williams publishes book

Darrin "Slugger Roo" Williams has completely turned his life around. Williams' nickname came from his time as a member of the Vice Lord gang in Alton, Illinois. Williams left his life as a gang banger in the past, and is now a rapper, barber, minister and author.

Williams is having an official book signing for his new book, "The Comeback: Fighting back with Faith," from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 15 at the New Beginnings with Roo barbershop in Alton. Williams' barbershop is located at 1842 E Broadway, Alton, Illinois 62002.

"It's a snapshot of my life," Williams said. The narrative starts with his birth in Alton in 1980, details his time as a gang banger, explains his inspiring conversion and ends in the present day.

Williams said that his book emphasizes the possibility of making good from bad and "persevering through the tough times." The book centers on faith and "how I held on through the pounding head shots and body blows that life threw at me," Williams said.

The cover of "The Comeback" fittingly features a pair of red boxing gloves. Williams has had to fight his entire life, both figuratively and literally. After his parents divorced, Williams said he was influenced by his environment to turn to gang banging to help maintain a stable environment at home.

"I had to do what I had to do," Williams said. Doing what he had to do, however, led to multiple charges with the most serious drawing the possibility of a six- to 15-year sentence.

It was then that Williams decided to change his life. "I didn't want to strike out with the lord," Williams said. Williams was "saved" in 2003, became a Christian rapper and started attending church, where he met his wife Michelle "Lady Roo" Williams.

After losing his steel-working job in 2010, Williams was faced yet another setback. He decided to attend barber school and opened his own barbershop in 2010. Williams went on to become a minister in 2012, but there was one problem: He didn't have a location to hold service.

As a result, "New Beginnings Outreach International" started in the barbershop. The Williams couple didn't let the lack of a location diminish their determination to grow their ministry. After about a year of hard work, they were able to move their church to a building located at 1840 E. Broadway, Alton, Illinois, 62002.

The book signing for "The Comeback" would have come much earlier, but Williams has had some additional obstacles since the book's release in October of 2016. He suffered a broken collarbone from a car accident in November and was at the doctor's office when he spoke to The St. Louis American.

Overcoming adversity is nothing new to Williams, who has had to do so for a seemingly endless time.

"The Comeback" can be purchased at http://www.fightwithmyfaith.com/. More information about his church can be found at http://www.sluggerroo.com/.

Tashan Reed wrote this story while an editorial intern for The St. Louis American from the University of Missouri.