About Uchendi

Businessman Uchendi “Chin” Nwani is living the American Dream. Once a convict sitting in a jail cell facing 30 years to life in prison, now a multi-millionaire businessman, Chin earned his reputation as “The Millionaire Ex-Convict” when he was featured in Ebony Magazine for achieving his dreams despite his past.

Along the way he has gone from the bottom to the top, living in a half way house after his release from federal prison to owning halfway houses, hair schools and salons.

Chin’s amazing success has earned him national recognition as a leader in the hair industry and speaker for numerous events.

In August 2000, he was featured in Ebony magazine as the “Ex-Convict Now Millionaire.” The Tennessean Newspaper has listed him as one of the “Top 40 Under 40 in Nashville.”

Chin has been featured in national media publications, such as Ebony, UpScale Magazine, Gospel Today and, The Source Magazine.

His remarkable career and tireless work since his release from prison November 15, 1995 has been well documented on the new documentary, “The Millionaire Ex-Convict.”

But Uchendi Nwani’s triumphant rise to the top is no overnight success story.

His vast appeal stems from his early disappointment to his mother and community. He had a burning desire to make his mother proud of him and prove society wrong. He learned from his past, “A set back is a set up for a come up.”

One of 3 children of Judyth Jones, Uchendi Nwani was born August 29, 1971 in Nashville, Tennessee, and raised in the church.

His unwavering desire to finish college after his release from prison, earned him a college degree in Business Administration from Tennessee State University in 1996 by completing his last 42 hours in only one year while living in a halfway house and riding the city bus to school and work everyday. He sacrificed to finish college by taking sack lunches to work and school. He was told that he could not take 42 hours and work full-time in a year, but he proved society wrong again. He gave his college degree to his mother, because he finished college for her.

Chin was the youngest hair school owner at the age of 26. He started with only seven students.
Chin’s business has since grown into the thriving national partnership known as Dudley Nwani Inc, consisting of barbers & styling schools and barber styling salons.

His famous barber styling salon on Jefferson Street is known as “Nwani’s Shop”, it consist of gold & crystal chandeliers, gold faucets/black marble, plasma TV’s on every wall and a 8 layer designer crackle paint on the walls.

Nwani provides housing for ex-convicts being released from prison at his Opportunity House Inc., a non-profit halfway house. He helps them find jobs, provides an education and get their life on the right track

Nwani often travels across the US speaking at many events for churches, schools, prisons and business functions.

Known as a businessman, churchman, author and motivational speaker, Nwani is deeply involved in charity and civic work. He is committed to enhancing the lives of young people through education.

His national speaking tour encourages children to stay in school, listen to their parents and never give up.
His extensive community activities include providing free hair services for the underprivileged