From Darkness To Light: The Dennis Levy Story

My name is Dennis Levy. In November 1992, I was living in Atlantic City (known as ‘Fun City’). I had a loving wife, two beautiful children, and a cat. It was a ‘wonderful’ family. At that time, I was selling time shares to condos at a luxury seaside building. However, my life took a drastic turn when I noticed a small, painful red blister on my back, diagnosed as a shingles outbreak, an indicator of HIV. My doctor advised me to take an HIV test, and the results came back positive. The devastating news shattered my life, especially given the prevailing view at the time that HIV = AIDS = Death. With no effective treatment for HIV except AZT, which was killing users faster than AIDS, the overall bad news led to a mental breakdown.

Spiraling into crisis

I walked away from my family, returning to NYC, my hometown. Within days, I was looking for drugs. Crack became my drug of choice. In no time, it became a ‘nightmare’. It escalated to the point that ‘I didn’t give a damn about living’! I'm a natural leader, and in no time, I had organized a crew of young thugs who didn't care about dying either. I organized a robbery team. We targeted Jewelry stores, luxury cars, and even drug dealers, escalating the danger. We didn't care. We were mentally crazy on 'crack'! Every day one of my members would steal a car to use on our robberies. One day, we came out and headed to the stolen car used the previous night. We got into the car and shut the door. Before the motor was turned on, dozens of undercover police surrounded the car. "OK boys, it's all over. Come out of the car with your hands up!" It was all over in minutes. I spent the day in lineups and being booked in an NYC 74th Pct. in Brooklyn. Police told me I was involved in a ‘city-wide crime spree’! The police charged me with three armed robberies. I was tagged the leader of the ‘crew’ because of my older age. They weren’t wrong. I was sent to Rikers Island to wait for my trial. Rikers Island has a reputation for violence, physical and mental abuse, and neglect of its inmates. It was like a medieval dungeon. Predators were everywhere. My days became a game of cat and mouse. I was the mouse. A Supreme Court Judge found me guilty of two robberies. I was sentenced to two concurrent sentences of 8 to 15 years in prison. It was 1992! Early one cold morning, I was escorted by guards to a bus that took me to the ‘Big House’ (Prison).

Serving time

First, I was sent to Sing Sing for orientation. It’s the prison with the electric chair. That didn't bother me. It was the convicted homicidal maniacs eyeballing me! I was paranoid! And scared ‘shitless’! Convicts called HIV/AIDS the 'Monster'. I prayed the prison snitches working in the reception room didn't reveal my confidential HIV status. The 411 on the grapevine was that anybody with the 'monster' must die! I quickly realized my life was at risk. It was best for me to be quiet about my HIV status. Every day was spent with me playing defense. I felt real ‘fear’ someone would snitch about my HIV status! Fear is a funny thing. It can render even the strongest people senseless. Rarely rational and usually unpleasant, no one likes to deal with their fears. There is no question, prison was ‘hell on earth,’ but I dealt with it. My time was spent in the Law Library working on overturning my convictions. After spending a year working on my appeal & perfecting it, I sent it to the appellate Court.

Finding purpose

Meanwhile, I helped many young gangbusters with their appeals. My reputation grew until I had the ‘Bloods’ giving me protection. I became a "jailhouse lawyer". But in 90 days, I was sent to Comstock Prison. They called it Gladiator School. One consolation was they had a one-man cell. I was safe inside my cell with the steel door shut. There was a fight every day, and every day I avoided being the victim. I willed myself invisible. I’m a small man, and the young convicts were intimidating. They spent their days lifting weights. They looked like Black Arnold Schwarzeneggers and Latino Sylvester Stallones. The only difference is they looked mean and angry. There was no friendly smiling. I acted brave and courageous. Fearless but realistic. My cell door would open every morning at 6 o'clock, and I would step out and see the faces of the young street thugs. They were like abused animals looking for retribution. The fear exploded inside my body. For the most part, the things we fear can be avoided. Don’t like snakes? Avoid the reptile area at the zoo. Have a problem with the dark? Use a nightlight. Locked up in prison! Think about ‘death’!

Finding faith

I didn’t read the Bible or pray at the time. But one cold and lonely night, I prayed that God would save me. Something happened that I can’t explain to this day. Suddenly, there appeared ‘silver rain’ falling on my head. I kept saying ‘Thank you God, Thank You’! I jumped up in the air several times. Tears rolled down my cheeks. I fell down on my knees and cried like a baby. Later, I felt like a new man! God had given me fulfillment and purpose and joy. I am not perfect, and I still mess up, but God loves me despite my flaws and imperfections. And when the things I was pursuing before continually let me down, God has never once left me. He has shown Himself to me in His Word, the Bible. My celebrations weren’t over yet when several weeks later, miraculously my appeal was granted. A criminal court Judge dropped my outstanding 2 cases on a technicality, and the last pending case was reduced to a misdemeanor. I was given time served, and I walked out of the courtroom a free man determined to make a difference in the AIDS epidemic.

My advocacy journey

Returning to my family wasn't easy, but with faith and determination, I overcame the challenges. As a community organizer, I recognized the need to address HIV/AIDS education, leading to the creation of the 'Black and Latino AIDS Coalition' (B.L.A.C.). B.L.A.C. played a crucial role in passing New York State’s ‘Partner Notification’ legislation, educating thousands about HIV/AIDS. Facing personal challenges as an HIV-positive individual, I explored alternative treatments like medical marijuana. Collaborating with organizations, I advocated for marijuana legalization in New York, contributing to the passing of the ‘Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (M.R.T.A.)’ in 2021.

Continuing my advocacy, I co-founded N.A.N.’s ‘Second Chance Committee,’ assisting newly released individuals in reentering society constructively. My journey reflects the transformative power of compassion, education, and advocacy in creating a more inclusive and just society. Today, as a grandfather, I remain an active figure in my community, fighting for the rights of the marginalized and amplifying their voices.❤️