Editor's note: Watch the video in "full screen" mode for the best viewing experience.
Before shaping one of the world’s largest sports brands, Nike executive Larry Miller spent years of his youth and early adulthood behind bars for several crimes, including murder. After giving up the street, his past continued to haunt him, costing him an important job offer. Desperate for a fresh start, Miller hid his prison record for 40 years. However, his career took off and he eventually rose to lead Nike’s Jordan brand, as well as the Portland Trail Blazers NBA team.
In this interview, Miller shares how education helped him escape a life of crime, how keeping his secret came at a huge personal price, and why employers should give the formerly incarcerated a chance to succeed.
Directed by Jamal Meneide, a filmmaker based in Boston.
Produced in collaboration with Danielle Kost and Dina Gerdeman of HBS Working Knowledge.
Inspired by the case "Larry Miller." Made possible by a Harvard Library Advancing Open Knowledge Grant and support from Baker Library at HBS.
The Journey of Larry Miller
VIDEO: Why Business Leaders Need to Hear Larry Miller's Story
Hise Gibson explores why business leaders should give the formerly incarcerated a second chance.
ARTICLE: A Nike Executive Hid His Criminal Past to Turn His Life Around. What If He Didn't Have To?
An HBS case study shows the barriers that formerly incarcerated Black men are up against and the potential talent they could bring to business.
Feedback or ideas to share? Email the Working Knowledge team at hbswk@hbs.edu.
Images above courtesy of the Miller family, Nathaniel S. Butler/National Basketball Association via Getty Images, and Bettmann/Bettman via Getty Images