An Unexpected Life: a black youth's journey from Bank Robber to Architect

Tonio Rocciano was just fifteen. Considered "too young" and "too small," no one would hire him. So he robbed a bank. He was caught and sentenced to the state reformatory in 1947.

At seventeen, Tonio was conditionally released. As a Navy frogman he participated in the Korean invasion at Inchon. Tonio would be discharged for striking an officer.

Once he was a civilian, Tonio fought with a man who had called him a racial slur; Tonio was incarcerated once again in Buena Vista. An unfortunate e...