Erick Washington was born in Minneapolis, MN, in July of 1962. His mother raised him with three brothers and two sisters. When he was 13, he met his father at Stillwater State Penitentiary. At the time, he did not know the effect of that visit or how it would impact his later life. He was introduced to drugs early in life, affecting the core of his being. He started smoking marijuana, and it escalated to cocaine. The cocaine use led to multiple drug treatment centers and eventually to prison. In 2009 he went to prison, where he spent 27 months on a First-Degree burglary charge; at the time, he knew his life would change. His life did change, and it changed for the better! Life after prison has been incredible. Erick has not used drugs or alcohol since his arrest in 2009.

Erick started a men's support group after his release in 2011, now known as the King’s Men; it has grown and evolved and continues today.

Also, Erick has been a mentor with the Minnesota Federal Reentry court for the past seven years. The mentoring continues to increase. He then started a non-profit called the Kingsmen Project; there, he helps justice-impacted individuals navigate through Reentry court and supervised release to transition back into their communities.

When not working with other men released from prison, Erick works in construction as a union dump truck driver. He is a homeowner and happily married to his wife, Tammi, and they care for Erick’s mother, who is 85. They live a peaceful life while helping others.