R. Jae

R. JAE is an author, playwright, entrepreneur, and man of faith whose life is a testament to the power of accountability and redemption.

Born and raised in Miami, Florida, in the communities of Bunche Park, Opa-locka, Liberty City and Scott Park, R. Jae is the grandson of James and Elouise — a man of God and his wife whose legacy of faith, hard work, and family became the foundation for generations. He is the son of Flora Belle and Cowboy, a truck driver and horseman who taught him about strength, independence, and survival.

A product of the Miami-Dade County Public School System, R. Jae attended Scott Lake Elementary, Norland Middle School, and Norland Senior High School, before graduating from Douglas MacArthur High School. He later continued his education as an undergraduate at Northern Virginia.

Raised in the church, R. Jae's journey would lead him through many worlds — from building businesses to the lure of the streets and fast money, through addiction, betrayal, incarceration, and ultimately, transformation. What looked like pound cake from a distance was really cornbread baked in a cast-iron skillet — rough around the edges and hardened by fire. Facing fifteen years after a knock at the door in Virginia changed everything, he was forced to confront the truth he had spent years running from: that redemption doesn't begin when we escape our past, it begins when we stop running from it.

R. Jae is also an accomplished playwright, having written three major theatrical productions: Divine Justice, How Did We Get Here, and Put That Woman First.

Through candid stories of family, faith, addiction, incarceration, grief, recovery, mental health, generational trauma, and the long road back to purpose, R. Jae shares an unflinching account of difficult choices, painful consequences, and the courage required to rebuild a life one decision at a time.

His journey to healing was not walked alone. He credits his therapist for helping him understand that healing was possible, his recovery community of sponsors, counselors, and fellow travelers for showing him that sobriety is worth fighting for every day, and his spiritual mentors: Pastor Jerome Carodine of Victory Outreach Ministry for being a mentor, sponsor and friend, Pastor William Thomas of New Bethel AME, and the Pastor of his home church Jamal Bryant of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.

At the center of it all is family — his wife Lowanda (Duchess), his children Shatigra, Maurice, Jamari, Jadarius, and Janiah, and his beloved grandchildren. Surrounded by their love, he found that sobriety, healing, and redemption are possible.

He now shares his story to help anyone facing adversity, supporting a loved one through difficult circumstances, or searching for proof that change is possible. He reminds readers that redemption is not reserved for the fortunate — it is available to anyone willing to do the work.

Faith. Truth. Accountability. The only way forward.

CORNBREAD: Redemption Requires Accountability is his debut memoir.