Growing up in a strong, two-parent household in South Philadelphia, Giovanni was the youngest of 15 siblings. As a teen, he began hanging out with an older crowd. When he was just 15, Giovanni was convicted of felony murder. Though he had never been in trouble before,  he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He served 26 years before his release, made possible by two significant Supreme Court decisions. Since his release, Giovanni has worked multiple jobs – adjusting to society and working diligently to become financially stable.