Curtis Reliford's life is a testament to the power of resilience, faith, and the belief that no matter where your journey begins, it can lead to extraordinary purpose.

Born on Elm Grove Plantation in rural Louisiana, Curtis entered the world under difficult circumstances. His mother was only thirteen years old when he was born, and with a large family struggling to make ends meet, he was raised by both his mother and his godmother in a home where resources were scarce but perseverance was essential.

Growing up as a Black child in the deeply segregated South, Curtis experienced firsthand the realities of racism, poverty, and fear. During a time when the Ku Klux Klan still cast a shadow over many communities, intimidation and injustice were woven into everyday life. The environment around him shaped much of his early years, leaving him searching for hope in a world that often seemed determined to deny it.

Like many young people trying to survive difficult circumstances, Curtis made choices that reflected the chaos surrounding him. His high school years were marked by fights, poor decisions, and a growing sense that life offered little more than struggle. Yet even in his darkest moments, something inside him refused to give up.

Years later, after traveling across the country and eventually returning to Louisiana, Curtis realized that while he had changed, the environment he had left behind had not. That realization became a turning point.

"I was sick and tired of being sick and tired."

Those words became more than a statement—they became a decision.

Determined to build a different future, Curtis left Louisiana behind and made his way to Santa Cruz, California. What began as a search for a new place to live became a journey toward a new life. Santa Cruz wasn't simply a destination; it became the place where Curtis found healing, hope, and the opportunity to redefine his future.

That single decision would become the foundation for a remarkable life dedicated to faith, compassion, and serving others—a journey that would eventually inspire the story told in Madness to Surrender.