Local burger star gives back as motivational speaker for prison inmates

The pride James Purifoy has for how far he's come in his life is electric.

The owner of 15th and Chris, Purifoy is a true Stateline success story. After spending ten years in prison, Purifoy took his joy of cooking that he picked up during his sentence and turned it into a beloved local restaurant.

"Give them like some type of motivation, something that they can actually see to, you know, believe in themselves, believe that it can happen, believe that they can come out there and use whatever tools that they possess," said Purifoy.

Recently Purifoy had the chance to go back to the same prison he was once an inmate, but this time as a motivational speaker.

"I was obliged to be called to come back and speak to those individuals that I know that, once upon a time, they were just like me."

For the last fourteen years since his release, Purifoy says he's dedicated his life to empowering former inmates and doing what he can to fight recidivism.

Getting the chance to speak with some of the same men that he knew when he was incarcerated is something he will always cherish.

"I didn't want to drop the ball on the message; I actually wanted to go in and actually give them what they needed."