Ismael Bonano was born and raised in New York City. At 28 years old, he currently works as a construction worker and resides in a shelter in Brooklyn, New York. He spent five years in prison and in that time he received his GED diploma and other certifications, including HIV/AIDS counseling and education. Since his release, he has had the opportunity to do fellowships with Columbia University and New York University. He is a founding member of Re-emergent Theater, performing arts group geared toward incarcerated individuals transitioning back into society. He also acts as a national councilman for Incarcerated Nation, a non-profit organization that helps raise awareness concerning prison issues. He is an avid collector of comic books, as well as graphic novels. In his down time, he always seeks new avenues of educational exploration including, but not limited to, self-education. His goal is to obtain a degree in environmental sciences in order to become a wildlife conservationist.
