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West of Ninth
Swag and TJ, Shawnee

“If my life was an album, the title would be ‘There and Back.’ I done been all the way to the extremes. I done been to the penitentiary. I’ve done been through all of the hardships, and, now, I’m back. I’m comfortable and back with my family, living life. I’m levelheaded. I have kids, now. I’m here, I’m back, and I’m not going anywhere, because I have to be here for them.

It’s been a struggle as a young black man. That’s two strikes, right there. It’s three, now, because we’re in America. That’s the struggle, right there.” —Swag (Left)

“Going to jail was the defining moment that shaped me into the man that I am. I was watching who was there and who wasn’t there. I would brainstorm about what I was going to do when I got out to keep from being broke. I’ve been out for a year, now. My family inspires me every day.

My advice to the world is to stay focused and levelheaded. You can accomplish anything out here and make a living doing it.” —TJ (Right), Shawnee •

West of Ninth began as a Louisville photography blog, westofninth.com, by two Russell residents, Walt and Shae Smith. With a love for their community, Walt and Shae see the value and potential of all nine neighborhoods that make West Louisville. Armed with a Nikon DSLR, a recorder and the ability to never meet a stranger, their goal is to shed light on the attributes that make West of Ninth the greatest.

This article appears in May 30, 2018.

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