Ricky Branch
Founder of Redemption Mode
Ricky Branch is the founder of Redemption Mode, a movement born from pain, truth, and a powerful commitment to change. He is currently serving a 15-year, 8-month sentence for multiple counts of robbery, with an earliest release date of December 6, 2026. But his story starts much earlier—and runs much deeper—than a prison sentence.
Raised in Portland, Oregon, during the 1980s, Ricky came of age in a time and place plagued by systemic racism, economic inequality, and the lasting impact of redlining. For many African American families in Portland, including Ricky’s, opportunity was scarce, and survival often meant turning to the streets. By the age of 12, Ricky was already in and out of juvenile institutions. Even earlier than that, he witnessed his family members being arrested, convicted, and sent away, so much so that incarceration became a normalized expectation. In his world, joining a gang wasn’t rebellion, it was aspiration. Going to jail wasn’t a fear; it was a rite of passage.
The oppressive atmosphere of the time gave rise to a culture where crime, violence, and addiction were seen as the only viable options. Ricky was a product of his environment, but he would later learn that he didn’t have to remain one.
After spending the majority of his life in and out of prison, Ricky reached a turning point. Personal tragedy and loss shook the foundation of everything he thought he knew. Forced to sit with his pain and confront the truth of his life, Ricky began a process of deep introspection. It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t immediate. But over time, he began to strip away the lies he’d been taught about masculinity, survival, loyalty, and self-worth.
What emerged was a new vision: one rooted in accountability, healing, and hope. Ricky began doing the hard internal work of becoming the man he was always meant to be, not defined by his past, but inspired by it to create change. This transformation gave birth to Redemption Mode, a foundation and podcast created while still incarcerated, aimed at helping others navigate their path to self-redemption.
Redemption Mode is more than a name; it’s a lifestyle, a mission, and a movement. It’s about embracing the power of second chances, speaking truth without shame, and standing up for yourself and others in the face of adversity. Through this platform, Ricky shares not only his story but the stories of others. People who are often overlooked, forgotten, or silenced. His goal is to break cycles, build community, and offer real tools for change from the inside out.
Today, Ricky is not just serving time, he’s serving purpose. He’s just getting started.
